If you're on a short business trip to Uganda and can't spare much time for a safari, our 1-day Jinja tour offers a perfect escape from Kampala to explore three key sites. Starting after an early breakfast, around 7:30 am or later, from either Kampala or Entebbe to beat the traffic, our journey takes you through scenic tea and sugar plantations, as well as vibrant roadside markets bursting with colorful fruits and vegetables. Along the way, you'll visit three points of interest: the Sezibwa Waterfalls, where you can marvel at the natural beauty of the cascading waters; take a short hike in Mabira Forest, experiencing the lush greenery and diverse wildlife; and finally, head to Jinja to witness the source of the River Nile. Here, you'll enjoy a boat tour on the Nile River, offering stunning views and a chance to experience the magic of Africa's longest river firsthand as you make your way to its source.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $435.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
The Sezibwa Falls are located 32 Km along the Kampala- Jinja highway. It is one of Uganda's hidden cultural treasures with one part owned by Buganda Kingdom and another by the Anglican Church of Uganda. ... The Sezibwa Falls are 7 meters high with beautiful scenery for relaxation and enjoyment as birds sing in the trees.
The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometres in Uganda, located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932. It is home for many endangered species like the primate Lophocebus ugandae. You will be able to do a short hike in mabira where you will be able to see monkeys and also different bird species.
River Nile is the longest river in Africa with Lake Victoria as its source. The river starts its 6,500km journey to the Mediterranean Sea (Egypt) beside Jinja town (Uganda) and holds the Owen Falls Dam the source of hydro electricity for Uganda with one other dam under construction currently. You will be able to take a boat ride to the main point called the "zero point"
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 763 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Jinja Tour & Source of River Nile lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
Prices start at $280 per person for this Kampala experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $435. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 7:00 AM.
Children aged 3–17 pay from $280, adults from $280.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Unik Hotel.
The experience is available in EN, EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 18 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Dark Hills Uganda.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
The guides are wonderful, the driver is a machine does it wonderfully. We have hired in Spanish and Faisa is a great Spanish speaker.
¡Gracias por tu comentario! Nos alegra mucho saber que disfrutaron el tour. Le diremos a Faisa y al conductor que les encantó su trabajo. ¡Esperamos verlos de nuevo pronto!
Visiting Jinja was absolutely a highlight of my trip to Uganda. The nile is so massive and to actually have a boat ride on the nile is something I can not easily forget. We saw many many birds and two big monitor lizards! It's really cool to see where to source of the Nile is. The boatman could tell us a lot about the history of the Nile, the birds and about Jinja city. Our accommodation was top notch, right at the Nile with an amazing sunset. Loved every bit of this trip!
Hey Bianca, Thank you very much for the wonderful review
Our Jinja tour with Dark Hills Uganda was an exceptional adventure that uncovered nature's hidden gems. Discovering the source of the Nile left us in awe of its significance. The Sezibwa waterfalls' serenity was a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle. The Mabira forest hike brought us closer to Uganda's rich biodiversity. Kudos to Dark Hills for arranging a flawless and unforgettable experience for us and our friends.
Thank you for wonderful review!
My experience with Dark Hills Uganda's tour to the source of the Nile was truly exceptional. From start to finish, the tour was well-organized and executed with great professionalism. Our knowledgeable guide provided insightful commentary about the history and significance of the Nile River as we explored its source. The boat ride along the river was serene and picturesque, allowing us to soak in the breathtaking views and witness the merging of the Nile's two major tributaries. The highlight was visiting the actual point where the Nile begins its incredible journey. It was a humbling experience to stand at such a significant geographical location. I highly recommend Dark Hills Uganda for their excellent service and the opportunity to witness the marvel of the source of the Nile.
Thank you for the review!
The Jinja trip to the source of the Nile was a breathtaking destination that captivated me with its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It was indeed amazing and worthwhile
Thank you for the review!
The Jinja trip and source of the River Nile is an absolute gem! From captivating natural beauty to thrilling activities, every moment was filled with wonder. A must-visit destination that leaves you in awe.
We are happy to hear this, thank you!
Thank you Dark Hills for organizing this wonderful trip for us. The boat trip on the source of the River Nile, hike in the Mabira Forest were all fantastic! I recommend this day trip if you don’t have enough time.
Thanks for the nice review!
Our tour was fantastic! Spent the day in Jinja. Our transportation Dan showed up on time and played good music along the way
Thanks for the nice review!
Even if you have only a short time to spare, you can still enjoy a River Nile cruise. This 1-hour experience takes care of your transfers so you can simply enjoy the ambiance, views, and scenery as you glide across the river in a traditional wooden sailboat called a enkasi. One-hour Nile River cruise: Ideal for those with limited Experience sailing on a enkasi: A traditional wooden sailboat Family-friendly outing for all ages: Suits all types of travelers Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your Jinja Hotel
Thanks for the review!
What a day! Excellent. We visited 3 great locations as well as life along the Jinja road. Our guide, Robert, knew his job well. He took us to beautiful places as well as to source of Nile. Definitely take boat trip there! I can only recommend.
Thank you for the review!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jinja Tour & Source of River Nile | 7 hours | 4.9 (18) | $280 | |
 The Best 1Day Jinja Tour & source of the Nile River Experience | 6–8 hours | 4.9 (172) | $175 | View |
 Jinja day tour exploring the source of River Nile | 9h 10min | 5.0 (54) | $135 | View |
 1 -One Day Jinja Source of River Nile Tour Experience | 10 hours | 5.0 (21) | $150 | View |
 Jinja: Source of River Nile & Equator Day Trip (2-in-1 Tour) | 10h 45min | 5.0 (20) | $300 | View |
 1Day Jinja group tour & source of the Nile (Airpals Safaris Tour) | 8 hours | 5.0 (31) | $130 | View |
 1-Day Jinja & River Nile Tour(Women-Guided-Experience) | 7–8 hours | 4.9 (113) | $179 | View |