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1 Day
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English
The 1 Day Jinja tour is one of the most popular Uganda packages/itineraries. It is an excellent option for families, those who have already visited the national parks or are in the country for a workshop/business trip. The 1 day Jinja city tour offers both local and international tourists a chance to explore one of the most scenic cities in Uganda and all the major tourist attractions in Jinja. While traveling to Jinja, you will have different stops to explore other points of interest such as mabira forest and the Sezibwa falls.
Jinja is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Uganda. It was recently upgraded to full city status and we expect it to grow even further as people choose to invest away from the crowded Kampala city. The name Jinja means “Place of Rocks” according to the Baganda. The town is located at a point (Nile) that naturally separates the Baganda and Basoga tribe. Jinja started as a fishing village but later on became an important trading route connecting East and Central Uganda. Jinja grew to become the industrial of Uganda with the building of the Owen falls electricity dam. Unfortunately, the expulsion of Asians by Idi Amin Dada led to the decline of the town allowing Kampala to slowly become the industrial hub.
As Jinja lost its status as the industrial hub of Uganda, it embraced tourism and became the most visited town. A key attraction is the river Nile and related activities like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, canoeing, tubing the Nile, horseback riding and Quad biking. These adrenaline raising activities have made Jinja a very popular destination for those who want something different and relaxation. Jinja is naturally calm and blessed with amazing scenery. The weather is excellent because of her location close to the Nile and Lake Victoria.
Note: Although this 1 day Jinja tour is excellent for those on a short business trip to Uganda, its also perfect for families already in the country. The activities are not very tiring like gorilla trekking in Bwindi or mountain hiking.
Our tour driver will pick you up from Entebbe, Kampala or Jinja in the morning (6:30am). Pickup can be from your residence, hotel or any point. The driver/Guide will take you through the program of the day and let you know what to expect.
After the briefing, the driver will start the journey to Jinja in case pickup was in Kampala/Entebbe. As you travel towards Jinja, enjoy the great views of Kampala and its suburbs. Some of the best roasted chicken can be bought along the way and especially in a popular fast food market in Namawojolo.
Sezibwa Falls: The first stop will be at the amazing Sezibwa falls – 20 miles from Kampala. The falls are created as the river Sezibwa flows down a group of rocks. These beautiful falls are not just scenic wonders but an important cultural site for the people of Buganda. On reaching the Sezibwa falls, a resident Guide will take you around the site. Check out the amazing scenery and enjoy the cool atmosphere around the falls.
You will be taken for a hike to the top of the falls for even better views and opportunities to take photos. The Sezibwa falls is a birders paradise with species such a Cormorants, Great Blue Turacos, Striped Kingfishers, White-throated Bee-eaters, Woodland Kingfishers among others.
The Ssezibwa falls are also home to three species of primates, butterflies, cobras, green Mambas, lizards, mongoose and otters. If time allows and you are interested, you can request to be taken to a shrine at the top of the falls to learn about the history and myths surrounding the formation of the shrine. Legend has it that the falls were created by spirits that chose to settle at the river Sezibwa.
Because of that many people visit the resident witch-doctors to perform sacrifices and gain favor/blessings from the gods.
Mabira Forest: After the Sezibwa falls, the next stop is the Mabira forest. Mabira is the largest rainforest in central Uganda. It covers an area of about 300 square kilometers and is home to ancient 1 day Jinja source of the Nile tour trees, 219 species of butterflies, 316 species of birds, reptiles, flowers and moths. Mabira is also home to small primates like the Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Red-tailed and Vervet monkeys. One can also spot squirrels, bushbucks and forest duikers. While in Mabira, you will be taken for a nature walk which takes about 2 hours. Alternatively, you can choose to go for Zip-lining. Zip-lining allows you to get an aerial view of the forest and observe resident creatures like birds or primates. After completing your tour of Mabira, the driver will continue the journey towards Jinja. As you approach Jinja, you will bypass the vast sugarcane and tea plantations in Lugazi.
Jinja Town Tour: Once you reach Jinja, you will be taken straight for a tour of the town. Before and immediately after Uganda’s independence, Jinja town had a large Asian population. They were in charge of most of the businesses and industries in the town.
When president Idi Amin of Uganda expelled them, the industries were left in the hands of inexperienced individuals who had connections to the government at the time. Many of the industries collapsed but some have now been revived. During your tour of the city, you will be taken to see some of the industries that were once famous for supplying products to all countries of East Africa. Apart from the industries, there is also the old Asian-style buildings which were built during the colonial times.
Source of the Nile: After touring the town, the driver will take you for lunch at a suitable restaurant in town. The next objective will be to visit the source of the river Nile. The source of the Nile is located at a point where the river Nile leaves Lake Victoria and begins its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. You will not only take a boat to the exact source of the Nile but also further to Lake Victoria and some beautiful islands.
The entire area has amazing scenery and you could spend the whole day marveling at small islands, fishermen throwing their nets or locals washing clothes along the river banks. Birders will be impressed with species available like Cormorants, Egrets, Fish Eagles and Pelicans.
After visiting the source of the Nile by boat, you will stop to buy souvenir from some of the best artisan shops in the country
Kalagala Falls: This will be the next destination after visiting the source of the Nile. The Kalagala falls are known for whitewater rafting and other water sports like tubing the Nile or canoeing. After visiting these falls, you will start the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe
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