Jinja Town
Jinja town a city of numerous adventures is located at the source of the majestic river Nile, and it is where the longest river in the world begins from to all to the Mediterranean Sea in North Africa. Jinja town is found on shores of Lake Victoria at the northern end of the lake in southeastern Uganda, the town lies north of the equator at the altitude of 3750 feet above sea level. Jinja town is the second-largest and second busiest city in Uganda after Kampala the capital city of Uganda is mainly dominated by the Basonga tribe of people though it contains other tribes like Baganda, batooro and many more. Jinja town is a significate industrial economical center in Uganda with many industries including Bidco International Oil Refining Company, Kiira Motors Corporation, Nile Breweries Limited and the regional offices of Uganda Red Cross society and by distance, the town is 81.2 kilometers from Kampala approximately 2 hours’ drive. Jinja town is a tourism paradise filled with numerous tourist attractions bringing a million of tourists into Uganda with Lake Victoria and River Nile as the major attractions offering numerous adventures to the tourists.
The majestic river Nile is the longest river in the world of 4,135 miles flowing in countries of and has its source in the Lake Victoria in Jinja town and it is the major adventure attraction never to miss while planning a classic safari in Uganda, to get to this town you cross the Nile at the Owen falls dam. River Nile is a fascinating feature that begins flowing with calmness and later increases its intensity as it squeezes through rocks, gorges and while crossing islands forming two tributaries that are white and blue Nile. The White Nile is the longest tributary formed at Lake No in Sudan with the confluence of Bahr al Jabal and Bahr el Ghazal Rivers, it flows from the north of Victoria. The Blue Nile is shorter than the White Nile but heavier, there are numerous astonishing waterfalls which are sighted while on an adventure on river Nile including Bujagaali falls, Owen falls, karuma falls, and Murchison Falls. Unfortunately, some of these falls have been lost to the construction of power Dams like Nalubaale Hydroelectric Power Station
Lake Victoria the source of river Nile is Africa’s largest lake and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake after Lake Superior, Lake Victoria the ninth world’s largest continental lake covers a massive area of 68,800-kilo meters and being shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania with Uganda containing the most share of the lake. Lake Victoria was renamed after Queen Victoria by European explorer John Hanning Speke, The Lake is a great destination for safaris since it contains a number of islands for example Ssese islands, Bubembe Island, Bugaia Island, Bugala Island, Bulingugwe Island, Buvuma Island, Damba Island, Koome Island, Maboko Island, Mfangano Island, Migingo Island, Nabuyongo Island, Ndere Island, Pyramid Island, Rubondo Island, Rusinga Island, Ssese Islands, Ukara Island, Ukerewe Island, Yuweh Island and Samuka Island which is in Jinja town.
Jinja town is a delight to tourists filled with extra attractions apart from Victoria and River Nile including Speke memorial monument, itanda falls and the new Jinja Bridge which is an impressive architectural structure mostly at night when it lights up with numerous lighting of different colors. And also while on adventure in Jinja town you also get to enjoy the breathtaking scenery filled with vegetation on the shores of Lake Victoria and River Nile perfect for sights and sounds adventure and also numerous mammals species like hippopotamus, African clawless otter, spotted-necked otter, marsh mongoose, Sitatunga, bohor reedbuck, defassa waterbuck, cane rats, reptiles like Nile crocodile and turtles. Jinja town is a bird haven with various birds as they are sighted floating on the waters for example shoe bill Blue Swallow, Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler and many more. Sounds made by high-speed water as they come into contact with rocks and fishing activities are of interest to tourists
There are many adventurous activities to do while on safari in Jinja town the source of Lake Victoria, these activities are available to everyone regardless of their age.
Biking on the Nile: biking along river Nile such an amazing activity to engage in while in Jinja taking place on the banks of river Nile, it is an amazing activity of 60 kilometers which can be done by a family best for family bonding offered by bike ventures. Biking adventure offers a beautiful scenic view of sugarcane and tea plantations, the Nile River as you drive through the tropical rain forests and the rural villages. The biking expedition begins early in the morning.
Quad biking: quad biking on the Nile is one of the most popular activities in Jinja operated by all-terrain adventures offer 1 to 4 hours of fun while driving the quad bike. This activity can be enjoyed by both adults and kids, kids of up to 12 years of age are offered kids quads circuits, quad barking is more amazing during wet times as the mud makes the activity more fun. For the enjoyment of the tourists, free training sessions and preparation sessions of 30 minutes are provided to tourists before the adventure. Quad biking takes the tourists through the village and you can view the river flowing while on the bike.
Horseback riding: horseback riding along the Nile in Jinja is such an amazing experience escorted by a professional guide providing an opportunity to explore the river, the scenic countryside and tour the village on a horse’s back. Horseback riding is a safari of 1- 3 hours according to the interest of the tour beginning at 10 am in the morning and 2 pm in the afternoon. While intending to include horseback riding on your to-do list on a Jinja safari, it is advisable to book for this amazing activity worth your money earlier because of the limited number of horses over the demand by tourists. Horseback riding adventures offered include overnight horseback riding, multi-day horse riding, and sunset rides.
Sunset cruise on the Nile: sunset cruises on the Nile is one of the favorite activities for tourists while in Jinja, it involves sailing on the waters while enjoying the beautiful serene life surrounded by water filled with fresh blowing water. Sunset cruises offer you two hours on the water, you even get to enjoy the view of a sunset. A private sunset cruise can be arranged.
Jet boating on river Nile. Jet boating in Jinja happens on the rapids of river Nile, it more of a roller coaster ride but this time on water involving the usage of motorboats. It is not an activity suitable for faint-hearted but it is worth trying.
Bungee jumping: bungee jumping is a very fascinating activity but it is not for the faint-hearted, bungee jumping involves jumping from the high heights with ropes tied to your legs before proceed to fall into the waters. Bungee jumping can be done during the day or at night involving diving down to the waters and while you get to enjoy the beautiful rapids and forested forests with a number of bird species. Bungee jumping is operated by adrift Uganda.
Jinja town can be accessed using Kampala Jinja high way route, Kampala route via Mukono –Kayunga, from Tooro Jinja Toro high way, can be used.
Accommodation can be got from safari inn, brisk recreation hotel, Jinja base camp, Nile front cottages, tourist bay hotel, Victoria panorama hotel, pearl on the Nile hotel and many more while in Jinja town.
On your Uganda safari to Uganda’s Urban cities, you can also visit places like Entebbe which has the international airport, Kasubi tombs, Baha’i Temple, Uganda Martyrs Shrine and many others.
