Jinja and Source of the Nile day tour with boat ride
Stand at the exact point where the Nile begins its long journey to the sea
This guided day tour covers Jinja and the Source of the Nile with hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver-guide, and stops at Ssezibwa Falls, the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine, Lugazi's sugar and tea plantations, and Mabira tropical forest. The tour includes a boat ride from KingFisher Resort to the river's source, where you'll see the John Speke monument and watch for birds and reptiles along the water. Lunch and a soft drink are provided, and the full day runs 6 to 8 hours. Children from age 4 are welcome. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized seat.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Jinja and Nile River source
- Pick up from hotel
- Visit Ssezibwa Falls and hike
- Stop at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine
- View sugar and tea plantations in Lugazi
- Nature walk in Mabira Forest
- Take photos at Source of the Nile Bridge
- Boat ride from KingFisher Resort to Nile source
- See John Speke and Mahat Magandi monuments
- Drive through Jinja city and visit craft market
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Uganda Martyrs' Shrine Entry included 15m
- Source of the Nile Entry included 1h
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- English-speaking driver-guide for the full day.
- entry to Ssezibwa Falls with a site guide and hike to the top.
- stop at the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine.
- nature walk through Mabira forest.
- boat ride from KingFisher Resort to the Source of the Nile with views of the John Speke and Mahat Magandi monuments.
- lunch at a local restaurant with a soft drink.
Times
- Every day 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30
Before you book
Operated by ONDABA AFRICA SAFARIS
Prices and times updated 16 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Your driver picks you up from your hotel and heads toward Jinja, starting at Ssezibwa Falls. A two-tier waterfall whose name means "I can't be blocked." A site guide walks you up to the top and explains both the geological and traditional stories of how it formed. From there, you stop briefly at the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine in Namugongo, where your guide covers the colonial history and the Buganda kingdom's role in Uganda's past.
As you drive into the Jinja region, you pass through Lugazi's green landscape, where sugar cane and tea plantations stretch across the hillsides. You can step out and photograph them. Then comes a nature walk through Mabira, Uganda's largest tropical rainforest, positioned right along the highway. Here you move through the thick vegetation to spot different bird and tree species. By mid-afternoon you reach Jinja itself, stopping for photos at the Source of the Nile Bridge and the river itself before heading to KingFisher Resort.
At the resort, you board a boat that takes you directly to the point where Lake Victoria meets the Nile River. From the water, you'll see the John Speke monument (the spot where the explorer stood when he claimed to have discovered the source), and the boat continues to the Mahat Magandi monument on the far bank. Watch for crocodiles, fish eagles and other birds as you move along the river. After the boat ride, the tour finishes with a drive through Jinja's craft market and lunch at a local restaurant with your included soft drink.
Is this one for you?The 6 to 8 hour commitment leaves room for an early start and an afternoon return, so you can fit this into a single day without rushing the boat ride or the forest walk. If you have only a few hours free, this tour will not fit. If you want to see Uganda's major landmarks (the source of the Nile, its largest rainforest, and colonial history), in one outing, this covers all three.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 18 years); Child (8 to 12 years); Infant (4 to 7 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What exactly is the Source of the Nile, and what will I see when I get there?
The Source of the Nile is the point where Lake Victoria meets the Nile River as it begins its journey north. From the boat, you'll see the John Speke monument marking where the explorer stood, the Mahat Magandi monument across the water, and wildlife including crocodiles and birds along the riverbanks.
How much walking is involved in this tour?
You'll do a brief hike to the top of Ssezibwa Falls with the site guide, a nature walk through Mabira forest to see birds and trees, and some walking around Jinja city and the craft market. The rest of the day is spent in the air-conditioned vehicle or on the boat, so it suits all fitness levels.
What's included in the lunch?
Lunch is provided at a local restaurant in Jinja along with a soft drink like water or soda. The meal is part of the tour package and happens after the boat ride to the Source of the Nile.
What is the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine, and why is it on this tour?
The Uganda Martyrs' Shrine in Namugongo is a historical site commemorating Ugandan martyrs and their connection to colonialism and the Buganda kingdom. Your guide explains this history during a 15-minute stop on the way to or from Jinja.
Jinja and Source of the Nile day tour with boat ride
6h–8h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 175 per person
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