Going on a tour of the Source of the Nile is one of the best ways to experience the wonders of Uganda. Testament to its popularity is the number of tour operators offering it.
Location and How to Get to This Specific Site
The river’s source is at Lake Victoria. The nearest city to the lake is Jinja, which is why many tours begin here. Jinja is 87 km (54 miles) east of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Jinja is the biggest metropolitan area in its district.
What to See There
Cruising through the Nile is a feast for the senses. The river will offer you a view of the water flowing in Lake Victoria. Along the banks is a golf course which you will also come across. A downstream safari takes you to Adrift Nile High Camp.
History
The Nile is the longest African ricer. Beginning at Lake Victoria, the river continues for another 6,500 km. It goes through Jinja in Uganda and the Mediterranean Sea. The town of Jinja itself was a small fishing village during the early 1900s.
The name is derived from the tribes that settled close to the Nile. The site was also called the “Place of Rocks”. The creation of the Owen Falls Dam in 1954 led to the submerging of Ripon Halls.
Access to railways, the sugar estates and cotton packing all helped Jinja prosper. In 1907, the town became an administrative center for the Busoga region’s Provincial Government Headquarters.
Cost
The cost will depend on what kind of safari you are going to do. Typical costs would be between $15 to $30 a day per person. But that is very basic. If you are going to buy a safari / tour package to Uganda, check the accommodations. Compare it with other packages. A luxury package will cost at least $110 up to $500 a day per person.
Other Info
Safaris on the Nile may include river bank explorations. You will go through villages, farms and forests.
You will also pass through Lake Kyoga. From there you will head to Murchison Falls. Fishing is popular here, or you can just relax and enjoy the view of the Source of the Nile.
