Jinja Holidays

Jinja loves tourists and you’ll find plenty to do from the moment you arrive. After finding the source of the Nile, cruising on Lake Victoria, and getting active in the water or along the banks, you can grab a sunlounger on a city beach or pull on your comfy shoes and go exploring. Stroll around town to see the city’s past through colonial buildings, Asian architecture, and old churches.

Stop into one of many markets to sample local produce or load up on souvenirs, see the Mahatma Gandhi Monument on the riverbank, or graze cafés and restaurants. Head out of town to visit a rural village, brewery, or plantation. Take a nature walk or birdwatching tour in the Mabira Forest or drive a little further and spend time at the sacred site of Ssezibwa Falls and learn more about the ancient culture of the Buganda people at a nearby shrine.

The River Nile ends its journey in the Mediterranean after flowing 4,000 miles from its source at the edge of Lake Victoria. When you visit Jinja, you can see the specific point where bubbles rise from an underground spring to begin the world’s longest river. Spreading for more than 20,000 square miles beside the Nile is Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.

 Its Ugandan shore is lined with beaches, as are the 88 beautiful Ssese Islands at its western edge. Enjoy cruises on the lake and the Nile for wildlife spotting, sunset viewing, or even for a floating feast. Fish from the banks or a boat for perch and tilapia. Canoe slowly, kayak quickly, or ride the rapids in a raft. Zip through the water on a jet boat or go with the flow on an inflatable tube.

Lake and river activities from kayaking and canoeing to jetboats and white water rafting aren’t the only way to get your endorphins flowing when you visit Jinja. Take a guided mountain bike tour to explore the town and its nearby plantations and villages, follow the river, or ride the Mabira forest trails.

Save your legs and get to know the region on horseback or roll around the outskirts of town on a quad bike. Want an adrenaline rush? Try bungee jumping over the Nile. Prefer things a little calmer? Work your way around nine holes at the 110-year-old Nile Golf Course, or putt among miniature animals at the Big Game Mini Golf Course. Whatever your pace, there’s more than enough in Jinja to keep you entertained.

Jinja is a destination which can be visited all year with consistent temperatures of around 27°C in the day dropping to 17°C overnight. If you’re planning outdoor activities, the two dry seasons of December to February and June to August are the best time to visit. Though rain can occur at any time, it is far less likely during these months.

Peak time for visitors is July to September, so January and February are an ideal combination of fewer crowds, more accommodation choice, and the best weather. Some outdoor and water-based activities are restricted in the wettest months of April, May, October, and November so always check availability for your chosen activities before travelling. If you’re planning to combine your stay with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale or gorilla tracking in Bwindi, check when permits are available before booking.