Tourist Activities in Jinja : Jinja city one of Uganda’s tourist destination that is a must visit while on a Uganda Safari. Jinja city is located in Eastern Uganda is about 80 kilometres distance from Kampala covered by the Source of the Nile which is the world’s longest river. The town enjoys a waterside vibe, and life revolves around the Nile and Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest freshwater lake and the third worldwide.
Jinja city has been dubbed “the Adventure capital of East Africa” and is home to the source of the Nile – the world’s longest river. It offers plenty of Uganda safaris and adrenaline rush/ adventurous activities. Jinja is an excellent choice for those wishing to take part in water sports and activities such as rafting, kayaking, boat riding, bungee jumping, swimming, all-terrain quad biking, mountain biking and horseback riding, sport fishing, birding and sightseeing among others. As the river Nile flows from Victoria Nile through Jinja, it creates a series of rapids which offer world class white water rafting and kayaking of all grades from level 1 to 5 rapids. Rafting trips are range from gentle floats for family fun to hard-core grade five stat rapids.
Visitors also have an opportunity for sightseeing tour around Jinja including local markets, reptile village, craft shops, visit the Sugar processing plants, Plantations, Masese Fish processing plant, visiting historical sites as East Africa’s ancient Jinja port and cultural sites as Bugembe palace for the king locally known as “Isebhantu” loosely translated father of the people. Of all places, you can’t miss visiting the source of River Nile which was discovered by the European explorer John Speke in 1858 thus Tourist Activities in Jinja.
Activities and attractions in Jinja city
Source of the Nile Visit
One of the favorite things to do in Jinja is visiting the source of the Nile by taking a boat ride along the Nile. A boat ride takes you at the point where the River Nile begins to flow rapidly from the calm waters of Victoria Nile. There’s a small rock island where you can stand at the source of the Nile and take stunning shots. A monument of John Speke, the British explorer who discovered the source of the Nile, stands tall in the source of the Nile gardens. The boat ride offers a chance to spot many bird species such as Malachite kingfishers and Monitor lizards, all on the most beautiful part on the Nile.
Boat Rides on Lake Victoria
Enjoy relaxing boat trips along the beautiful Victoria Nile in Jinja, fun-filled boat trips are available for families and couples. Boat cruises on the Nile are timed well for sunset viewing in the evening (sundowner) or sunrise in the morning. There are also cruises that extend past 7 pm giving you more fun on the water at dark. As you get back from the boat, you continue having fun around Jinja’s famous bars and clubs or restaurants. For example, we organize boat cruises with Jinja sailing club to offer best boat cruise experiences for our guest. The site was initially chosen for its close proximity to the Source of the River Nile, and for its beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Victoria. The club’s restaurant and bar were famous for serving up delicious Continental, African and Indian dishes, and the gardens played host to wonderful Sunday buffets! thus Tourist Activities in Jinja
White water rafting in Jinja
White water rafting is one of the most exciting water sport activity and has become a huge tourist attraction in Jinja town of Uganda. The Nile River offers some of the best rafting opportunities in the world. Hard-core rafters can raft class three to five rapids while beginners can paddle or float the level one and two rapids. The River Nile is the classic pool‐drop river with deep, calm pools interspersed between powerful and exciting rapids and multitudes of different channels. At no point is the Nile constrained to one channel. The multiple of rapids between the beautiful mid‐river islands allows the expert guides to choose milder options for those not willing to subject themselves to certain dunking in the river. The opportunity to do white water rafting from the longest river on earth is amazing. The river Nile has been a source of water for several civilizations.
The grading of the rapids rafted on this stretch of the Nile range from 1 – 5. At each of the larger (higher graded) rapids you are given the option of whether you want to go the hard way (through the middle) or the easy way (around the edge). The choice is chosen on, however, it might not always turn out the way you expected because you (everyone in the raft) if do not paddle in the right direction you may not take the route you wanted. The family rafting trip is a wonderful river journey for the whole family. Instead of choosing the biggest and wildest rapids, these rafts instead drift swiftly between the beautiful forested islands, bounce down smaller rapids and explore the many different channels of the river. Water rafting is done all year round because of the steady and constant flow of the Nile River. Water rafting operators offer rafting gears for hire for the rafters to star downstream Bujagali hydro-electric power dam.
Quad biking experience
Quad biking in Jinja is one of the most exciting activities to engage in while on a Uganda safari. Jinja offers travellers an opportunity to experience the African countryside and mingle with local people as they go about their daily activities away from African safaris that offer African wilderness, inside a safari vehicle and with limited opportunities to experience the African rural life. Quad biking in Jinja is done mainly in the villages, forests, tea/sugar plantations and the banks of the Nile River. Not in the congested and noisy towns or trading centres by the main roads but to areas rarely visited by tourist.
Quad biking in Jinja is organized by All Terrain Adventures located in Jinja about 7 kilometres downstream from the start of the River Nile. Quad biking is arranged between 1- 4 hours and All Terrain Adventures provides all the required equipment including guides, helmets, overalls and goggles and bandana. No previous experience with the bikes is required and they run safaris with 1 guide for every 5 clients but if necessary they may be able to add extra guides if required. The exercise begins with a briefing and free training lessons at the practice circuit for about 30 minutes before starting of the safari. Bikes are available for visitors who will be riding a bike for the first time as well as for experienced riders. For beginners, the guide conducts a training secession for you to get ready. Quad bike tours in Jinja are also customizable for family and rider’s ability. Expert local guides are available to offer kids a ride so bring your family to Jinja for quad biking experience. Quad biking costs between US$50 to US$130 depending on the route and hours thus Tourist Activities in Jinja.
Horseback riding in Jinja
Horseback ride experience is an awesome rich way of seeing observing wildlife and the surrounding communities of a destination. Horseback riding tours in Jinja take you through rural Uganda areas and some stunning areas along the banks of the River Nile which is well believed to start from Uganda, views from the hills overlooking the Nile valley, run through the stunning plantation views and relax in the tranquillity of Mabira forest. Explore the villages along the Nile as you ride on horsebacks.
Horseback riding safaris can be done at any time of the year however, the dry seasons are considered best time of the year to do the horseback rides. Nile Horseback rides run short riding safaris from 1 hour, 1 and a half hours, 2-hour and 3-hour rides – 7 days a week at 10 am in the morning and 2 pm in the afternoon. Bookings are essential given that there are limited horses and guides. For example, overnight horse riding safaris are run on demand with a minimum of 2 riders. Our sunset rides (90 minutes) run from 4-pm on demand with a minimum of 2 riders. Going up and down the hills, there are beautiful places to stop for a picnic. You love to spend time outside, definitely a fun activity to do while visiting Jinja.
Bungee jumping in Jinja
Bungee Jumping in Jinja is one of the most fascinating adventure activities that offer thrilling life time experience in the Pearl of Africa. The activity has been currently introduced on Uganda’s most scenic river- River Nile. However, it is important to note that Bungee jumping is a rare activity in African countries. It is found in a few African countries like Zimbabwe on the Victoria Falls, South Africa on Bloukrans Bridge. In Uganda the activity is done in only Jinja and apparently it is one of the leading extremely interesting tourist attractions in Uganda.
Bungee jumping experience on Nile River involves jumping from raised platform that has a bungee cord which is connected to your two tied legs. The activity does not require experience that even first time travellers are allowed to participate. It is important that whoever is interested in bungee jumping adventure experience has to prepare psychologically. Participants of Bungee jumping are tied at the Ankles with face looking down or when your whole body is tied and you will float like a butterfly on the water. Before you jump off the raised platform, the bungee Instructor will count from 1to 3 then he will shout out “bungee” then you go. Bungee jumping activities can be done both during and night hours although most rewarding experience is during day time. During the bungee jumping experience, you will feel excited diving down and torch the waters of River Nile which rewards you with thrilling life time Adventure experience in Africa. It is important to note that the activity is scary but it offers extremely intriguing experience.
Kayaking on the Nile
If you are Looking for the biggest adrenaline rush on the Mighty Nile? kayaking lets you take on some of the biggest and best rapids in a single day. Facing huge wave trains, crashing white water and powerful hydraulics, it’s a team effort between you and your guide to make it through all of the rapids successfully. You will be paddling the river with expert kayaking guides who know the river like the backs of their hands. For those who like the idea of having their own craft, taking on the white water truly down at river level and getting the best experience, or simply for those who have done rafting before and want to step it up, tandem kayaking is perfect. You sit in the front of a double seater kayak and provide the power to get through the waves. Your guide, in the back seat, has the job of instructing you when to put in the energy and steering you both safely down the rapids thus Tourist Activities in Jinja.
Other places to visit in Jinja include the Itanda falls, Jinja Craft markets, Jinja reptile village, tubing on the Nile, to mention but a few. Jinja is the place to be go for any traveller to Uganda for all water experiences. Book with us a 3 Days Jinja tour to have a full excursion in Jinja city.
