Jinja ( Uganda’s tourism hub )
Jinja is located at the northern end on Lake Victoria in south eastern Uganda. It also lies north of the equator at an altitude of 3,750feet (11oom) above sea level. The climate is moderate and the temperatures range from 63 to 82 degrees F (17 degrees to 28 degrees C) Land and vegetation is 6.94 percent of the district is water and 1.63 percent is forest, 6.94 percent is wetland and 8.3 is forest. Jinja has high rise buildings and the views of the along the main street are spectacular. The good roads, good accommodation, peacefully laid and friendly people, warm weather all year around, features of the natural beauty including lake views and the source of the Nile, and the clean-up campaign have made Jinja even more attractive and thus contributing to the growing popularity as a tourist destination.
There are key tourist attractions of Jinja district as given below;
Source of the Nile
The Source of the Nile is the second longest river in the world, discovered by one of the first European explorers, John Speke, is an internationally unique attraction. It has been improved as a tourist attraction for both international tourists and domestic excursionists.
Itanda Falls
Itanda Falls are also found on the Nile, 18 kilometers north-west of Jinja town. The falls offer opportunity for bird watching (especially the weaver birds), camping and picnic outings.
Kyabirwa Falls
Located 8 kilometers from Jinja, the falls offer a good scenery and landscape for campsites that is not yet fully exploited. Potential also exists for bird watching and Ethno botany.
Lake Victoria Beaches
The lake’s beaches have been partially exploited for location of tourism developments, especially hotels. These beaches include the sites at Sailing Club, Doctina resort beach, and Kingfisher resort beach. Besides the scenery, the lake can be exploited for water sports, sport fishing and canoeing which would attract the domestic, foreign resident and foreign non-resident tourists.
Islands in Lake Victoria
These include Samuka, Ndaiga and LwabitookeI . Apart from Samuka, the rest of the Islands have not been exploited for tourism purposes despite the existing potential. The existing potential includes boat racing, sport fishing, over-night camping, day excursions and various water sports.
Industries
The numerous industries found in Jinja attract excursionists, especially school tours. These include textile (Nytil Picfare), beer (Nile Breweries), sugar (Kakira Sugar Works), steel rolling (Jinja Steel Rolling Mills), grain milling (Jinja Grain Millers) and fish (Masese Fish Factory) and tea processing (Garden Tea) industries. Agro-based industries such as sugar and tea processing establishments have potential to attract foreign resident and non-resident tourists, if included in the tour packages, for tourists coming from countries where the semi-finished or finished products are exported. The hydroelectricity plant at Jinja Owen Falls is also an attraction, especially for the school tours and other domestic excursion groups.
Agriculture
The tea and sugar estates are currently exploited as tourist attractions. Like the agro-based industries, the plantations have tourism potential as an attraction for tourists coming from countries where semi-finished or finished products of sugar and tea are exported. The agricultural tourism attractions include Kakira sugar and Kasaku tea plantations.
Sports
Sports facilities, especially the out-standing Jinja golf pitch and the Bugembe Stadium, offer opportunity for attracting international and national tournaments.
Community market visits
Jinja main market and several other markets operating on various days are a potential attraction particularly to foreign tourists
Antiquities / Historical sites
A number of historical sites exist in Jinja district. These are; the current Busoga King’s palace, Mpumudde hill, the historical meeting place of the Busoga chiefs and the British colonial Governors. Mpumudde is also the place where King Kabalega, of the Bunyoro Kingdom died.
Crafts
Crafts shops, workshops and community groups are common in Jinja town and its suburbs, making mats, baskets and other souvenirs from papyrus and other natural materials. The souvenir industry has a large potential in Jinja district.
Hotel and Catering
The hotel and catering sector is fairly well developed in Jinja district. The existing accommodation establishments rage from backpacker to upper class tourist ones.
ACTIVITIES DONE AT THE NILE IN JINJA INCLUDE;
Tandem kayaking
Tandem kayaking with a most knowledgeable guide to take you down the rapids of the River Nile. You can also try River Surfing, another option at Jinja along the River Nile.
Sunset cruises
One can take a Sunset Cruise with dinner and drink at Jinja. This is simply the most enjoyable experience while at Jinja on the White River Nile.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding along the Nile is fun and there is even an overnight horseback riding safari of two days. Another way to enjoy the Nile is visiting the Villages and hamlets along the journey and take in the culture and sights.
Birding
There is amazing bird life from the boat which allows you get really close to the fish eagle, palmnut vulture, kingfisher and the jacana. For birder’s, the Nile is one spot you should not miss.
Mountain biking
Bicycling along the Nile at Jinja is a most enjoyable experience for visitors to the Nile area, there are lot of places where you can ride a bike including along the Nile through various villages.
Bungee jumping
Bungee Jumping, not for the faint of heart, however many simply enjoy the experience of diving into the Nile River. This is an unforgettable and fun taking experience.
White Water Rafting
White water rafting on River Nile in Uganda is all year round thanks to Uganda’s equatorial weather. The experience is like no other with warm water, stunning scenery, and all year sunshine with short spells of rainfall making white water rafting here unique and pleasurable. The Nile rapids offer the rafters the thrill and excitement unmatched like no other before encountering the pools of water where one can take a swim and enjoy the vibrant bird and wildlife.
Quad Biking
Quad biking is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon in Jinja along the River Nile. Ride through the countryside and watch every day Ugandans go about their work on mostly in their gardens as children cheer you on. Visitors find this an exhilarating experience.
Swimming
Swimming in River Nile in Jinja is possible because there is no record of bilharzia and other infectious diseases. It is also free from dangerous animals like crocodiles and Hippos.
Fishing
Both the Nile River and Lake Victoria are home to one of the largest freshwater fish species in the world, the mighty Nile Perch can be got on these water bodies.
Boat Cruises
Some prefer to take in the sights and sounds of the river at a more leisurely pace. A river boat cruise is the perfect way to enjoy a few relaxing hours on River Nile. The cruise offers you with spectacular views of the calm waters of river Nile and Lake Victoria.
Jet Boating
This is for those seeking a big motorized thrill on the Nile. It is an exhilarating 90 km/h speedboat trip over the rapids and is definitely the preferred activity. The 30-minute trip includes plenty of 360-degree spins, jumps and near misses. This is unforgettable.
