This one day Jinja City tour explores the adventure capital of East Africa, that sits at the source of river Nile, 80km east of the capital Kampala. The tour kicks off with a guided cultural walk at Sezibwa, a Buganda kingdom sacred site known for its significance towards the birth of twins. Sezibwa is the small river that cascades over a rock ridge creating pleasant waterfalls while the riverine rainforest host tens of red-tailed monkeys and a cast of birds. Further on at Mabira rainforest, a nature walk along its lovely forest trails explores various forest structures, connecting one to nature’s tranquility and diversity including bird, butterfly and tree species.
Continuing on to the adventure town of Jinja, learn of its rise from humble beginnings as a colonial port to becoming Uganda’s industrial powerhouse and largest city even before independence. This prosperity attracted millions of expatriates to serve its industries and here, they settled for good. The city’s well-planned streets, monuments and historical architecture tell of its glory days. Later take a boat cruise to the mouth of the world’s longest river and watch the ancient Nile start its longest trek to the Mediterranean.
The rocky ridge on which the quite waters of Lake Victoria overflow into the Nile is named “Idindha” by local Basoga tribe thus the name of the town. It is at this point where the Nile waters depart from L. Victoria, that John. H. Speke an English explorer in1862 became the first European to see the ancient Nile source. Awed at this natural wonder, he baptized this point Rippon Falls after the then royal geographic society president, Marcquess of Rippon thus settling the ancient riddle of the origin of the Nile.
One Day Jinja City Tour includes
- Transport and driver guide
- Lunch
- Boat and entrance fees
- Sezibwa and Mabira entrance fees
- Bottled drinking water in the car
One Day Jinja City Tour Excludes
- Tips to your guides and driver
Packing List
- Good walking shoes
- Long pants and shirts for nature walk
- Sunscreen, sun-glasses and hat
- Casual clothing for boat and city tour
Detailed Itinerary
This morning the driver will pick you from your hotel/residence in Kampala/Entebbe to drive eastwards of Kampala where the first stop will be at Sezibwa cultural site. A guided walk will explore the cultural significance of this site and various norms and traditions of Buganda signifying the birth of twins. This one and half hour walk passes by the water falls and a small riverine forest bustling with primates and birds.
Next you check in at Mabira forest where a guided forest walk explores diverse structures of this rain forest. Mabira forest is the largest tropical forest in central Uganda, hosting over 300 species of birds and various primates.
Of these primates is a Uganda mangabey, a split from the widespread grey-cheeked mangabey of western Uganda forests commonly seen in 15 or more individuals across riverine sections. The forest varies from primary and secondary growth sections where several of Uganda endemic tress flourish. From the forest walk we head out to Jinja city for a lunch break thereafter take a city drive tour. Jinja main street reveal historical architectural designs that reflect earliest settlers of this town.
Indian merchant’s earliest tin walled shops still exist and elegant temples and expansive British bungalows overlooks the golf course by the Nile banks. Cruising on the Nile, you will come to the real point where the Nile starts its trek to the Mediterranean Sea while the river banks hosts colorful birds and the curious Nile monitor.
- Late evening return to Kampala
- Drop off at your residence/hotel.