Ultimate guide for source of the River Nile tours, sports and boat cruises

Great adventure time at the source of the River Nile tours

The source of the Nile river in Jinja, Uganda

Embark on the source of the River Nile tours (0.42563° S, 33.19776° E) tourist activities/ experiences/ packages in Uganda from USA, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Egypt, Turkey, Dubai, Australia and elsewhere in the world. River Nile is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea . River Nile is the longest river in Africa and has historically been considered the longest river in the world, Of the world’s major rivers, the Nile river is one of the smallest, as measured by annual flow in cubic meters of water.

About 6,650 km (4,130 mi) long, its drainage basin covers eleven countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt. In particular, the Nile is the primary water source for South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.

Top River Nile tours packages

4 DAYS SOURCE OF THE NILE BIRDING UGANDA SAFARI

4 days source of the Nile and birding Uganda safari is a short shoebill tracking and river Nile tour. Day 1 of this safari gives you a tour in the botanical gardens located n the lake Victoria shores and has numerous bird species. The 2nd day engages you in shoebills tracking in the Mabamba swamp followed by a Kampala city tour. 3rd day is well spent at the shores of the river Nile and engagement in water sports adventure activities followed by a night at a Nile lodge from where you will head to Entebbe airport for your departure flights.

Gorilla trekking from Egypt/ Cairo to Rwanda/ Uganda

16 days primates, wildlife, river Nile Uganda safari

Long 2 weeks Uganda safari on the 16 days primate tracking and wildlife Uganda safari also includes 2 days at the source of the river Nile adventure city of Jinja. The 16 days takes you through Uganda's most popular game parks engaging you in various top tourism activities for example gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, Kazinga channel boat cruises, Murchison water falls, chimpanzee tracking, lake Victoria shores tour, city tours and night life experiences in vibrant cities of Kampala and Jinja.

7 days Source of the Nile & gorilla safari

A week's/ 7 days river Nile gorilla trekking and wildlife Uganda safari is another amazing safari showcasing some of the country's unique wonders. The first day gets you transfer to a Bwindi impenetrable forest sector for gorilla tracking encounter due for the next day. Day 3 takes yo into Queen Elizabeth N.P for gam drives, Kazinga channel boat cruise and lastly chimpanzees tracking. After encountering chimps, you transfer to the, source of the Nile river in Jinja on day 5 for bungee jumping, quad biking, whit water rafting, kayaking/ canoeing, tubing the Nile etc. which activities take you till the day of departure.

16 DAYS GORILLAS RIVER NILE MASAI MARA SAFARI

After a great Uganda experience with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and Murchison water falls, you will have a 2 days chill at the source of the river Nile before crossing to Kenya. The 16 days / 2 weeks Uganda Kenya safari is a focused gorilla trekking and wildebeest migration adventure itinerary. Top highlights on this safari adventure include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Africa's big 5, wildebeest migration, bungee jumping, quad biking, air balloon tours, white water rafting, kayaking/ canoeing, city tours & nightlife, tree climbing lions, boat cruises etc.

21 days gorillas, R. Nile & wildlife Uganda safari

A 3 weeks total primate trekking, river Nile and wildlife Uganda safari covering all the major game parks in the country is a typical holiday makers' and family travel safari itinerary. This 21 days slow travel adventure is covers all amazing activities an Africa safari offers for example Africa's big 5 (lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards), golden monkeys tracking, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Murchison water falls, Kazinga channel & river Nile boat cruises, hot springs, shoebills tracking, bungee jumping, boat cruises, bird watching, white water rafting the Nile, tubing the Nile, kayaking the Nile, quad biking, hiking, culture tours etc.

19 DAYS GORILLA TREK, RIVER NILE, MASAI MARA & DIANI SAFARI

Another exciting 19 days Uganda Kenya safari itinerary with amazing top adventure activities and above all ending with a tropical white sand beach holiday. While in Uganda, you'll encounter mountain gorillas, chimpanzees along Kazinga channel and Nile boat cruises, bird watching, Murchison water falls and finally the source of the river Nile before crossing to Kenya. On the Kenyan side, you'll enjoy air balloon tours, Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants), wildebeests and conclude with the Diani white sand beaches & resorts.

River Nile source & flow

At birth, the river Nile starts with new life force/ strength forming numerous water falls some of which have been used to build hydro-electric dams. The open water falls are an entertainment point for visitors who love rafting, kayaking, canoeing, swimming etc. and these falls in Jinja include; Owen falls, Ripon falls, Bujagali falls, Kalagala falls, Busowoko falls and Itanda falls. There are numerous waterfalls graded in 3rd to 5th rapid tiers from which you choose to sport at.

River Nile leaves Lake Victoria at Ripon Falls near Jinja, Uganda, as the “Victoria Nile.” It flows north for some 130 kilometers (81 mi) to Lake Kyoga. The last part of the approximately 200 kilometers (120 mi) river section starts from the western shores of the lake and flows at first to the west until just south of Masindi Port, where the river turns north, then makes a great half circle to the east and north to Karuma Falls. For the remaining part, it flows westerly through the Murchison Falls until it reaches the northern shores of Lake Albert where it forms a significant river delta. Lake Albert is on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the Nile is not a border river at this point. After leaving Lake Albert, the river continues north through Uganda and is known as the Albert Nile.

Activities at the source of the river Nile tours in Uganda

White water rafting
Bungee jumping over the Nile
Zip lining
Tubing the Nile
River Nile sunset cruise
Horseback riding
Canoeing
Swimming
Kayaking
Picnics
Quad biking along the Nile

Bungee jumping experience over the river Nile

The bungee jumping platform in Uganda is 44 meters high over the river Nile at Kalagala falls/ Nile high camp in Jinja operated under international safety standards (Australian/ Canadian) by highly professional guides with ISO-certified equipment. Bungee jumping is done all year-round and in any day of the week though the dry seasons are preferably the best for good weather and sunset scenes. Wearing comfortable casual clothes is just enough for bungee jumping.

This high altitude jumping is legible for people aged 13 and above and restricted for those with health issues especially heart diseases, high blood pressure, pregnancies and back problems. Just in the same day tour, Bungee jumping can be combined with white water rafting, tubing the Nile, boat cruises, hiking, nature walks ,quad biking, kayaking/ canoeing etc. A minimum weight of 35kg (77lbs) and a maximum of 110kg (242lbs) are the required limits for bungee jumping. Bungee jumping will costs around $115- 120 and $100 for foreign residents.

Jinja town

Jinja, Uganda, is a town on the banks of the Nile that is gaining a reputation as the adventure capital of East Africa. This is, in part, thanks to the range of whitewater rapids on the nearby stretch of the river Nile. Things to do on River Nile tours include water surfing, bungee jumping, canoeing, water rafting, horseback riding through the Nile waters, swimming, kayaking, sport fishing, picnics, among other activities.

River Nile tours & activities

The river Nile wildlife experience in Murchison falls national park

The Victoria Nile section of the river Nile is what traverses and anchors the Karuma/ Murchison falls national park. While on a visit in the Murchison falls national park, you take a Nile river boat cruises that heads towards the face of the Fajao gorge which holds the world’s strongest water falls- the Murchison falls, after which the park also got its present name. During the boat cruise you’ll notice marine life for example some of the park’s 450 recorded bird species including the iconic shoebill stork, fish eagles, kingfishers, geese, herons etc., hippo pods, some of the world’s largest nile crocodiles, monitor lizards.

Other mammals in the park that come at the river banks to quench their thirst include elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, giraffes, warthogs, antelopes, olive baboons, leopards, lions etc. The best time to see these creatures is in the afternoon after a hot lunch during the heat of the day between 2.00pm- 5.00pm when the animals head to river to cool off their body heat.

Other activities to do along a visit to the source of the river Nile.

Given the short easy accessibility, a source of the river Nile tour can easily be combined with many other exciting adventures on Uganda safari for example;

Mabamba shoebill tracking
Chimpanzee tracking
Gorilla trekking
Africa’s big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes)
Bird watching
Camping
City & nightlife tours
Game drives
Culture tours
Hiking & nature walks

Best time to visit the source of the river Nile in Uganda

Even though the river has a stable water level throughout the year, the best time for a river Nile is during Uganda’s 2 dry seasons of June- October and December- February. These 2 times of the year also make it easy to visit many other national parks and areas in Uganda for great wildlife adventure.

Lodges & accommodation & costs while at the source of the river Nile tours

With a continuous cool breeze from lake Victoria and the source of the river Nile tours, lodges and accommodation in Jinja have a perfect touch to nature. These luxury, mid-luxury and budget lodges will guarantee a memorable stay and visit at the source of the river Nile.

Lemala wild waters lodge

Lemala wild waters lodge located on Kalagala island in Kayunga, Uganda on the banks of the river Nile at 0.596845° S and 33.05380° E. Wild waters lodge over looks the rapids of the fast white waters of the river Nile. Sounds of the rapids and cool breeze overtake the environment all through your stay. Wild waters lodge is 89km from Kampala a 2 hours 30 minutes.

Rates of wild waters start from $350 to $500 per person sharing per day. Activities you can do at the source of the river Nile while staying at wild waters lodge include;

White water rafting
Bungee jumping
Kayaking at the river Nile
Zip lining
Quad biking
Canoeing
Water sliding

Kingfisher safaris resort

Kingfisher lodge is located at the shores/ banks of the river Nile at 0.41136° S and 33.18940° E in Jinja, Uganda at a 91.4km from Kampala a 2 hours drive to get there.

This Kingfisher lodge offers rates per night for at;

Single rooms at $90
Double rooms at $110
Twin rooms at $120
Triple rooms at $145
Family suites at $170
Executive suites at $170

Some of the activities you can take on while staying at Kingfisher lodge are;

White water rafting
Bungee jumping
Kayaking the Nile
Canoeing
Boat cruises
Zip lining
Quad biking

Jinja Nile resort

Jinja Nile resort is also situated at the banks/ shores of the source of the river Nile in Jinja, Uganda at 0.45853° S and 33.18940° E accessed by road at 98.2km from the capital Kampala a 2 hours 30 minutes drive.

At Jinja Nile resort, room fairs go for;

Classic rooms at $120
Standard rooms at $149
Suites at $164

Amazing activities you can engage in while at your stay at Jinja Nile resort are;

White water rafting
Bungee jumping
Kayaking the Nile
Canoeing
Boat cruises
Quad biking
Zip lining etc

Hotel Paradise on the Nile

Hotel paradise on the Nile is located in the vicinity of the source of the river Nile in Jinja, Uganda at 0.43423° S and 33.19549° E at 97km from Kampala a 2 hours 30 minutes drive from the capital.

Rooms at Hotel Paradise go for affordable rates per night at;

Single room at $45
Twin rooms at $60
Triple room $90
Double deluxe at $70
Executive deluxe at $80
Suite at $100
Family room at $125

Best activities to carry out while you stay at hotel paradise on the Nile are;

Water rafting
Bungee jumping
Kayaking
Boat cruise
Canoeing
Quad biking
Zip lining
Nature walks etc.

Nile front cottages

Nile front cottages’ location overlooking the white waters of the Nile make it a perfect nature accommodation space for you river Nile safari situated at 0.41593° S and 33.20560° E with a distance of 101km from the capital Kampala, a 2 hours 30 minutes drive.

Rooms at Nile front cottages go at $90- $100 per person per day depending on the category of accommodation chosen.

Top activities to be done at the source of the river Nile while at Nile front cottage include;

Bungee jumping
Water rafting
Kayaking
Quad biking
Zip lining
Boat cruise
Canoeing etc.