Source of the Nile tour: Jinja, Mosque & Ssezibwa Falls

Walk to where the Nile begins, then boat across Lake Victoria

A full-day tour from Kampala to Jinja covering four major stops: the Gaddafi Mosque with its 360-degree city views, the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine, Ssezibwa Falls with a guided hike through thick forest, and the Source of the Nile where you receive a certificate. The day includes a Lake Victoria boat cruise, lunch, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Uganda National Mosque1h · entry included
2. Uganda Martyrs' Shrine30m · entry included
3. Source of the Nile15m · entry included

Kampala and Jinja city tour

• Visit Gaddafi Mosque and tower
• Optional visit to Namugongo shrine
• Stop at Namawojjolo BBQ market
• Guided hike at Ssezibwa Falls
• Drive through Lugazi plantations
• Walk on Source of the Nile Bridge
• Tour Jinja central market and port
• Enjoy local buffet lunch
• Boat cruise on Lake Victoria
• Visit John Speke monument
• See Nile River source and Ripon Falls

The experience

Gaddafi Mosque sits on Old Kampala Hill, the site of the first British colonial settlement, and your guide takes you up the tower for a 360-degree view of the city before heading south toward Jinja. The route passes through Lugazi, where sugar cane and tea plantations line both sides of the road, and you'll see the mills that process them. A roadside stop at Namawojjolo BBQ market gives you the option to try local snacks (rolex, plantains, grilled chicken and beef), though it's entirely optional.

Ssezibwa Falls comes next, and the waterfall's sound announces itself before you see it. A guided hike takes you through dense vegetation with bird and monkey calls overhead, up to the top of the falls where the river flow opens into view. Once you reach Jinja, you cross the Source of the Nile Bridge on foot to watch the river move below, then tour the central market where spices, fruits, vegetables and textiles trade daily, and stop at the railway station and port to see how transport networks connect the region.

Lunch is a local buffet with soft drinks included. Afterward, a boat launches from Lake Victoria Park by the Jinja Sailing Club, where you'll see fishing villages, bird species along the shoreline, and the Jinja pier. The boat takes you to the John Speke Monument marking where he stood in 1862 when he first saw the Nile's springs, then to the actual Source itself: the zero point of the world's longest river. You step off, take photographs at the landmark, receive a certificate of authenticity, and continue by boat to see Ripon Falls before returning to Kampala.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from Kampala.
• English-speaking local guide.
• lunch with soft drink.
• Lake Victoria boat cruise.
• entry to the Source of the Nile.
• certificate of authenticity.
• WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ONDABA AFRICA SAFARIS

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover Kampala's landmarks, Ssezibwa Falls, and the Nile Source in one day with a group following a set route. You'll move through cultural and natural sites together rather than piecing together separate stops.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

What exactly is the Source of the Nile that I'll see in Jinja?

The Source of the Nile is the springs marking the zero point where the world's longest river begins its flow. You'll disembark from the boat, photograph the landmark, and receive a certificate of authenticity for reaching it. The boat then continues to Ripon Falls so you see the river's immediate downstream movement.

Does the tour stop at Ssezibwa Falls for a swim, or just a walk?

Ssezibwa Falls is a guided hike and nature walk through thick vegetation with a variety of tree and bird species. You hike to the top of the waterfall to see the river flow, but swimming is not mentioned as part of the stop.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Lunch is included and consists of a local buffet with most of the local dishes, plus a soft drink of your choice, water or soda.

Can I visit the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine, or is it optional?

A visit to the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine at Namugongo is offered as an optional stop where 45 Christian Ugandans were killed. Your guide provides full explanation and you can photograph the site, but you are not required to visit.

What is the Gaddafi Mosque visit like?

You receive a guided tour of the mosque to see its architecture, then hike to the top of the tower for a 360-degree view of Kampala city. Photography is included.