Top 10 Things To Do In Jinja
Things to do in Jinja—East Africa’s adventure capital! Experience thrilling activities like white water rafting, kayaking, Nile river tubing, and a boat cruise to the Source of the Nile. Discover breathtaking scenery and adrenaline-packed adventures in Uganda’s most exciting destination. Wondering what to do in Jinja, known as the adventure capital of East Africa, located approximately a 2-hour drive (80 km) east of Kampala on the banks of the Nile River, it is a popular destination for short tours and weekend trips. White water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, and horseback safaris are among the many exciting things to do in Jinja
List of Activities to do in Jinja
- Bungee Jumping into the Nile River
- White-water Rafting on the Nile
- Boat Cruise To The Source Of The Nile
- Kayaking On The Nile River
- Tubing On The Nile
- Relaxation at Wildwaters lodge in The Middle Of The Nile
- Quad Bike Tour
- Horseback Riding
- Village Walks and City Tours
- Market visits and shopping
- Mabira Forest -Zip Lining
- Mountain biking adventures
- Visit the Mahatma Gandhi monument
- Tour the Uganda Railway Museum
- Sundowner along the banks of the Nile
- Sportfishing
- Photo shoots at Jinja Nile Bridge
- Golfing
- Jet boating
- Sezibwa Falls Cultural Tour
- Water massage at Busowoko waterfalls
- Attend Nyege Nyege Festival
- Bird watching
The 10 Top Things to Do In Jinja
Jinja is dubbed the adventure capital of East Africa for good reason. The Nile’s headwaters provide a plethora of thrilling adrenaline-pumping activities! However, there are also more tranquil pursuits available, including boat cruises to the source of the Nile, tubing on the Nile, and quad biking.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee jumping over the Nile River is the epitome of adrenaline activities in Jinja. You leap from a 44-meter-high platform into the Nile, an activity designed for thrill-seekers rather than the faint-hearted.
Boat Cruise To The Source Of The Nile
A boat trip to the source of the Nile offers a peaceful way to spend a few hours on the river during your Uganda tour in Jinja. This excursion takes you to the precise location where the world’s longest river exits Africa’s largest lake, commencing its epic 6,650 km journey north to the Mediterranean Sea.
At this spot, you can observe bubbles in the water, signaling the emergence of water from underground before it mingles with the waters of Lake Victoria to flow northwards.
Kayaking On The Nile River
Kayaking offers an excellent way to experience the Nile up close during your trip to Jinja, Uganda.
Even beginners can navigate their kayaks effectively after a brief introductory course, braving the crashing Nile waters. You can choose between half-day or full-day kayaking excursions, and opt to kayak solo or in a tandem kayak (two people). Tandem kayaking, ideal for first-timers, allows those with little or no experience to tackle some of the biggest and best rapids in a single day.
Quad biking
Quad biking offers another wonderful adventure in Jinja and is suitable for families, with provisions made for children. The quad bike trails wind alongside the Nile, providing stunning views of the river as it flows through the countryside. Tours last between 1 and 3 hours and can also include stops at local villages.
Horseback Riding
A two- to three-hour horseback ride is also one of the fun things to do in Jinja. You’ll have the opportunity to admire the stunning Nile River while riding through local villages, where you’ll be greeted with friendly smiles from the locals. The horses are well-trained and cared for by their Australian owners, with options available for riders of all skill levels.
Village Walks & City Tours
For an authentic Uganda safari experience in Jinja, we strongly recommend taking a community village walk in Namwendwa, located just east of Jinja.
During this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional local dishes, brew your own Ugandan Gin (“waragi”), and engage with the local community. Additionally, you can explore the city by touring its vibrant streets and local markets, where you can shop for a variety of souvenirs, including clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, bags, wallets, carvings, molds, and paintings.
The series of rapids along the upper Nile River in Jinja is renowned as one of the most breathtaking white-water rafting destinations in the world. A full-day Whitewater rafting adventure spans 20 km, covering nine rapids (four Grade 5 and five Grade 4) and concluding at Itanda Falls.
Half-day rafting options are available, and various rafting packages are tailored for families and groups, accommodating all skill levels and experiences. We can arrange a one-day white-water rafting trip for you.
Tubing the Nile
Nile river tubing is another of the fun things to do in Jinja. The activity entails floating along the Nile on an inflatable tube while sunbathing, watching birds, viewing islands, and you can enjoy flat/lazy tubing, white water tubing, and extreme tubing adventures. The activity is great for all ages and makes for team team-building excursion, a family trip, and weekend getaways.
Mabira Forest Visit
Mabira forest is situated about a 20-minute drive from Jinja.
When traveling from Kampala to Jinja, you pass through this lush forest along the Kampala-Jinja highway. Mabira is the largest natural forest in Uganda’s central region.
Covering 306km2, it is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys, moths, butterflies, squirrels, reptiles, plants, trees, and various bird species. The forest is a popular stop for nature enthusiasts on day trips to Jinja. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, zip-lining, nature walks, mangabey monkey tracking, mountain biking, picnicking, and camping while on their way to Jinja.
check out our Jinja packages: 2-day Jinja tour.