Jinja is a small city in Uganda which is situated at the exact location where the White Nile leaves Lake Victoria for a long journey North to Egypt. The city itself can seem a little bit jumbled and of course it is not near the tourist center that Kampala is. However, it has a good sized market and all of the things you need for a pleasent experience, including cheap hotels, a post office, a police station, an excellent indoor supermarket (which are not abundant in Africa) and plenty of public transportation (in the form of mini buses which are, of course, crowed and in disrepair).
The source of the nile has been done up quite nicely, with a small restaurant/bar and small boat rides which can be purchased for a minimal fee. There is a monument marking the location where Speke first observed the source and there is even a small monument commemorating the fact that part of Mahatma Ghandi’s ashes were sprinkled at the source. A hydroelectric dam at the source fuels electricity to Uganda and much of Kenya. A new dam was recently completed which greatly increased the power output.
Both Adrift and Nile River Explorers offer superb white water rafting expeditions based out of Jinja. The white water is spectacular on the White Nile and the stretch outside Jinja boasts world class rapids. The guides for both companies are great and will lead you on a white water adventure which shouldn’t be missed. The trip will cost approximately $100 per person (prices are subject to change due to inflation) and the trip will feature five class five rapids in a one day trip, as well as several 3 and 4 class rapids. The Nile River Explorers base in Jinja also offers quad trips, chipanzee viewing, and river boarding.
Jinja is a great city, however if you travel to Uganda for the national parks, the gorillas, and the excitement of big-city Kampala, it can be a little out of the way. However, Jinja is highly recommended to anyone who is willing to go a little off the beaten track to find the smaller gems of Africa!
Internet Cafes in Jinja
Nile river source café
on the main street, functioned well when i was there two years ago, there are a few other internet locations on the Main street. Cheap to use!
Type: Internet Cafe
Address: Main street
Price: cheap
