The Source of the Nile is still in Jinja, Uganda.
Must-Do for Visitors to Uganda- A visit to the Source of the Nile in Jinja
The Lake Victoria Source of the Blue Nile in Jinja is not missed.
Visit the Source of the Nile in Jinja, where the longest river in the World has its beginning. A visit to the ancient and historic Blue River Nile at its source in Jinja, Uganda, is missed. The Nile is the Longest River in the World. The White Nile begins its 6,000-kilometer journey to the Mediterranean Sea at Jinja, the source of this mighty river. The White Nile joins the Blue Nile in Khartoum, Sudan.
Throughout ancient history, the source of the Nile was a mystery waiting to be discovered. It was not until the English Explorer John Hanning Speke was the first Westerner to find the head of the River on August 3rd, 1858.
John Hanning Speke stood at the place where Lake Victoria became the river at what was then Rippon Falls in what is now the town of Jinja. Rippon Falls is now covered by the Owen Hydroelectrical dam built by the British when Uganda was still a British Protectorate.
He was the first European Explorer to reach the Source of the Longest River in the world. Many doubted his conclusions, only to be confirmed later by Sir Samuel Baker on his expeditions to Uganda.
Rippon Falls were submerged as Owen’s Dam was erected by the British, bringing electricity to Central Uganda. Though Winston Churchill writes about them as he came to the beginning of this mighty, historic River.
Uganda is home to the Source of the Nile. That ancient and historic river flows through Uganda north to South. The Nile also flows through Murchison Falls National Park. It tumbles down the Western Rift Escarpment as the most powerful waterfall in the World. It continues through Lake Albert onward to Sudan and the Mediterranean Sea.
In October of 2018, a new Suspension Bridge over the Nile made it easier to get to Jinja to visit the Source of Nile Park. The Bridge has also eased getting to the adventure and leisure Activities for Tourists to come to do and see in Jinja, East Africa’s Adventure Capital.
We suggest that you too should Spend a While on the Nile and include a visit to its Source.
Visit the Source of the Nile Park in Jinja
Jinja, situated on Lake Victoria and the River Nile, is also the Keeper of the Source of the River and the gateway to adrenaline-pumping adventures and leisure where you can relax and chill out.
Jinja is best known for adventure, especially White-Water Adventure, including Wild waters rafting and kayaking. Other adrenaline-pumping adventures include Bungee Jumping, even at night. Jet Boating up the rapids, Sunset Cruises with sundowner drinks.
On the more leisurely side, visit the Original Park and take a motorboat cruise or a Sunset Nile Cruise, with drinks and snacks. Or simply sit at your hotel or lodge overlooking the river and read a book.
A visit to the Source of the Nile is a must for visitors to Uganda. We can include it in your Safari with us. It is best to make it an overnight visit and spend a while on the Nile in Jinja. The following day do one or two of the things that one can do and see in Jinja on the Nile. Not all adventures are adrenaline-producing. Some can be rather relaxing, such as fishing, birding, a family float trip, a hike along the river, or a village Visit, on the Gentle side of Jinja.
The source of the Nile park is a most pleasant place and has tremendous potential. The boat ride to the exact spot where Lake Victoria and the Nile merge provides some great picture opportunities for you.
A visit to the Source of the Nile is followed by lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Nile. Add to that a visit to the town of Jinja with its Colonial and Indian architecture. Along with a visit to Itanda Falls, where you can witness the power of the ancient river.
A sunset cruise from quiet to a Booze Cruise can be taken before and until sunset. Sunset is around 6:40 pm, and darkness sets in after 7 pm.
The Source of the River Nile is a major tourist attraction, and it has been so for years. Even India promotes and upgrades the source as an International Tourist Destination. The Reason, a Stature of Mahatma Gandhi, is found here. His ashes were sprinkled on the River according to his wishes. Many Indians and non-Indians come here to pay their respects to Gandhi.
John Hanning Speke was the Western Explorer that discovered the Source of the Nile:
For centuries, Africans lived here along the River Nile, its source at Lake Victoria. Still, the first Westerner to reach here was the British Discoverer John Hanning Speke.
The Source of the River had long been sought by others, such as the Missionary Explorer David Livingston. After John Hanning Speke discovered the source of the Nile. His former exploration partner, Richard Francis Burton, publicly rejected Speke’s findings. In favor of his idea that Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania was the natural source of the Nile River.
There was a public battle between the two men, and people were drawn to both opposing views. This battle was fought out in the Press. To settle things on the side of Truth, the Royal Geographic Society sent John Hanning Speke back to Uganda to resolve the dispute.
In most, John Hanning Speke was celebrated for discovering the Nile, which Richard Francis Burton would never accept. The Royal Geographic Society called a public debate that had never occurred since Speke suffered a fatal shot to the head.
The rift between the two men, however, would never heal. A hero of the Age of Explorers, Speke published two books that made him look like a braggart.
Burton, meanwhile, refused to accept defeat. A public debate between the two men was scheduled to settle matters once and for all. Still, the day before the debate, Speke suffered an accidental, fatal rifle shot to the head while hunting. The widespread assumption became that Speke’s death was a well-disguised suicide, motivated by a fear of facing Burton publicly.
Today, the source is marked by a modest sign that reads “The Source of R. Nile – Jinja – World’s Longest River.” A small cafe and shops, as well as a boat dock with tours for hire, are loc
In the 21st Century, – African Tourism is a significant source of income. Everyone wants bragging rights for one thing or another, including the Source of the Nile.
Both Burundi and Rwanda are marketing themselves where the River Nile originates. That does not change the reality that Uganda is Home to the source of the Nile. Not a tributary, not a theory. The Nile that flows out of Lake Victoria through Uganda results from the entire watershed basin. And that is way beyond Rwanda and Burundi but includes Tanzania and Kenya. Who knows, next, Rwanda and Burundi will demand rights to Lake Victoria.
Some Question the Source of the Nile in Jinja: “Where did People end up calling the Nile the River Nile? The Answer is – at its source at Lake Victoria in Jinja. John H. Speke discovered it as the first European Explorer, the source of Africa’s longest River in what is now known as Jinja in Uganda, where hundreds flock to each day still today. No confusion – Uganda, for most, is Home to the source of the Nile even though both Rwanda and Burundi advertise that the source of the Nile is in their country.
