Named the adventure capital of East Africa, Jinja City lies 80 km east of the capital Kampala and a home to numerous thrill adventures including a world-class white water rafting on the Nile river. Other top class adventures in Jinja include, kayaking, tubing, horse riding, abseiling, quad biking and lazy boat rides to witness the source of the world’s longest, river Nile as it leaves its expansive reservoir Lake Victoria.
History
Jinja began in 1900’s by the British colonial government as an administrative post to eastern Uganda but its geographic location made it a major trade port connecting several trade ports across the vast L. Victoria. The arrival of the East African railway in 1912 led to an industrial revolution where cotton ginneries sprout forth to process tonnes of cotton grown inland.
The opening of Owen falls dam in 1954 brought in further acceleration to the industrial growth that now extended to copper, sugar and steel factories. This industrial revolution attracted a diversity of expatriates and workers that by Uganda Independence in 1962, Jinja was an economic powerhouse with about half a million diverse residents also the biggest in the country. Sadly, the city’s prosperity took a nose-dive as thousands of foreign expatriates were expelled in 1972 that led to a total economic collapse.
The Adventure Capital
Today, although Jinja has been surpassed by other Ugandan town economically, it remains the most attractive town anywhere in the country, with its historical tree lined avenues, expansive golf course overlooking the Nile, pleasant weather, wide range of adrenaline activities and its closeness to Kampala.
A major highlight for visitors to Jinja is always to witness the source of the ancient Nile, a point where it starts its longest trek to the Mediterranean Sea and white water rafting down stream Nile. This ancient question was settled on 28th July 1862 when a British explorer John Hannning Speke became the first European to witness the source of the Nile recording Jinja in the books of history for good. Standing on the southern banks, John Speke witnessed the wide Victoria waters roar past a rocky ridge to funnel into a 200m wide R. Nile and race northwards. The rocky ridges at the mouth of this ancient river is locally called “edindha” thus the name of the town of Jinja.
Things to do in Jinja
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White Water Rafting on River Nile
One of the main highlights of adventures while in Jinja is the white water rafting expereince on the river Nile, also the world’s longest river. For a stretch of over 50km from its mouth on Lake Victoria, the River Nile cascades over rocks as it races northwards creating some of the biggest white water rapids on the continent. The sheer force and velocity have attracted thousands of adrenaline junkies to test and stretch their limits as they ride these rapids that have been graded from 2 all the way to 5 while several are classed as extreme. Superb safety guides and operators are available on the northern banks running this activity on a half/full day program.
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Boat Cruise to the source of River Nile
Once in Jinja, a boat cruise to the mouth of River Nile is a major highlight. The 1.5hr boat trip extends on the ridge where the Victoria waters departs for a 6500 km trek to the Mediterranean Sea. The boat cruise begins from a fishing village that sits on the quite waters of Lake Victoria to the point where the lake waters overflow over the submerged rocky ridge to form the mighty river Nile. This rocky ridge which served as a natural outlet of Lake Victoria was recognized as source of the Nile by John. H. Speke, who went ahead to name the waterfalls on the mouth of River Nile; Ripon Falls in honor to 1st Marquess of Ripon then the president of Royal geographic society. This point which marks the start of the long trek of River Nile to the Mediterranean Sea is called “ejinja” in the local dialect, translated a “place of stones” to which the town of Jinja derives its name.
The ripon falls have long been submerged after the opening of the Owen Falls Dam in 1954 to generate hydroelectricity. The boat trip explores the quiet banks of river Nile and Lake Victoria which attract numerous birds and also host Nile Monitor
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Explore the Historic Jinja Old Town
With time on your hands, take a stroll on the ancient streets of Jinja to learn of its diverse culture. This diversity is seen in architecture, railway station, markets, temples, tree-lined avenues, business and recreation centers. A better way to explore this historic town is to take bike across the quiet streets.
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Quad Biking Experience
While in Jinja, test your off-road biking skills at the quad biking park on the northern shores of the Nile. Tracks run along and overlooks the Nile, past typical and colorful African villages and farmlands. Experience is led by safety guides all the way.
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Kayaking and Tubing on River Nile
Stretch your limits further as you take on the Nile rapids in your individual kayak. This activity is run by rafting operators stretching to half/full da arrangement.
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Visit Busowoko Falls
The scenic Busowoko Falls are a major getaway lying only 21 km west of Jinja. A multitude of family friendly activities here include tubing, water massage and lazy walks.
Day Trips outside Jinja
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Zip Lining Experience and Forest Walks at Mabira Forest
The 306km2 Mabira Forest lies along the main Kampala to Jinja highway and offers a day packed adventure escape for family and sole travellers. Mabira Forest the largest rainforest block in central Uganda hosticking an incredible biodiversity of plant and other fauna but also offers numerous adventure options.
A major highlight at Mabira Forest is a thrilling zip lining expereince that runs through the towering canopies of this extensive forest interior. The 250m canopy zipline connects up to six canopy platforms elevated over 40m above the forest floor and runs along the Musamya river. The expereince which ranges from 2-3 hrs offers a glimpse into the forest interior teeming with lots of birds and primates.
Other activities while at Mabira Forest include; guided nature walks to encounter primates including Uganda Mangabey, red-tailed monkeys and more. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy cycling tours in the rainforests and surrounding sugar cane states, boda boda tours, birding and guided walks.
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Visit Sezibwa Falls
Sezibwa falls which lies along the Kampala -Jinja main highway is a scenic small waterfalls and an important cultural site for the Kiganda tradition dedicated to twin births. The waterfalls are created river Sezibwa cascades over a hanging rock ridge into a small pool to flow quitely through a mature riverline forest that hosts Red-tailed and Vervet Monkeys along with a healthy bird list. On the site, guides will lead you along various trials that crisscross a number of active shrines set to worship and honor twin births in Buganda, and their attachment to the mythical formation of Sezibwa river.