Jinja

Jinja is a city of 300,000 people (2020) in Uganda. The city is at the source of the Nile, and in Uganda more famously the source of Nile Beer. This is a popular destination for backpackers for its white water rafting.

Old colonial magistrate in Jinja

Understand

Three main operators work the rapids, offering a range of options, including body surfing, kayaking lessons and a video or dvd of the experience afterwards. It is possible to arrange a day trip from any travel agent in Kampala. Be sure to use sunscreen!

Get in

Matatus from the capital Kampala to Jinja are USh 5,000 per person, although the price varies (USh 5000-7000) depending on passenger volume. Coasters (mini-bus) always charge the same as matatus. (July 2015). The Post bus comes from Kampala and Mbale. Get on and off the post bus at the clock tower on the highway.just before the train station. same place where the bus ticket offices are for buses from Kenya. the one way post bus fare from Jinja to Mbale is USh 10,000. and Jinja to Kampala port office USh 5000. From Kenya, Easy bus has 2 buses a day from Nairobi via Kisumu going to Jinja. The ticket office for the Easy bus is on the highway near the clock tower.

Jinja is on the East African Highway which links Mombasa to Uganda, eastern DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. 14-seat passenger taxis and 30-seat passenger coasters are available from Kampala. Buses from Kenya and Tanzania will drop you off on their way to Kampala. Road distances: Kampala 80 km, Entebbe 117 km, Kisumu 236 km, Nairobi 578 km, Arusha 854 km, Mombasa 1498 km, Dar es Salaam 1691 km.

The railway network in Uganda is under rehabilitation and passenger services from Kampala might return in 2023.

• 1 Jinja railway station. Not in use. (updated May 2023)

Get around

The town is quite spread out, if you intend to go shopping for gifts, etc., get a taxi to 'the source' and all of the touristy shops are within walking distance. If going further afield, boda-bodas or matatus are the best way. A Boda-boda any where in down town Jinja is USh 1000 per person (Nov 2015).

• Hire a Car Uganda provides car hire services, and has branches in major cities such as Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja.

See

• 1 Source of the Nile (Behind the golf course). There is a small monument in the area dedicated to Gandhi. Some of his ashes were released here. Although the experience of going here is not that interesting, it may be worth it for the sole reason that you can go home and tell everyone that you visited the source of the longest river in the world. But then again, you may just have a look at the water anywhere outside of the park for free. USh 30000 for non-residents. (updated May 2023)
• Swaminarayan Temple. 
• The Jinja market is in the very centre of town, and consists of multiple acres of colourful shacks squeezed on top of each other selling everything from chicken hearts to motor parts. Definitely a must-see, even if you're in Jinja for one day.

The easiest and best way to see the town is to flag down the nearest boda boda driver (motorcycle which takes passengers) and ask him for a tour. Pay no more than USh 6000 however, for less than an hour tour.

Do

Jinja is marketed as the adventure capital of Uganda, offering everything from horse back tours to quad biking to placid kayak tours. There are a number of safe reliable operators, some of whom offer camping, dormitory, and (tented) accommodation. All companies offer half days, full days and extended trips.

• Kayak the Nile, run kayak tours for the less adventurous, as well as guiding packages for those who want to learn the different channels down the river, and teach courses to learn to paddle on the lesser channels of the White Nile.

• Nalubale Rafting is a rafting company based in Jinja offering daily trips on either Grade 3 or 5, for the more adventurous traveler they also offer a 2-day rafting trip. For families they offer low cost family float trips which allows people to cruise down the flat sections of the Nile taking in the breath taking view and wildlife.

• Adrift is a rafting company that also has the Nile High Club, where you can bungee jump over a picturesque eddy of the Nile, and even get your head wet if you so desire.

• 1 Bikeventures, Victoria Close plot 1, ☏ +256 778366007, uganda@bikeventures.org. Not-for-profit business offering bicycle rentals, tours and events with MTBs. Be aware that local roads get very mudy after rain. Bikeventures have also a guesthouse on the premises. US$20 day rent for midrange MTB. (updated Feb 2024)

Buy

Uganda is not a terribly touristy country. Jinja is one of the only places that sells 'African souvenirs'. A day of shopping is best started by the Source Café and the surrounding streets. It is possible to buy drums, Ugandan guitars, paintings, and many other things ideal as gifts. Remember that -- apart from a few locations in Kampala -- you are unlikely to find shops like this elsewhere in Uganda.

Tourist shops also sprung up around the NRE camp in Bujagali, but they'll be a little more expensive than in Jinja.

• 1 Farmers Market, Dauncey Rd, plot 3. (updated Feb 2024)

Banks & ATMs

• Equity bank. 24 hour. Has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM. has a fee. (updated May 2023)
• Kenya Commercial Bank. Has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM. (updated May 2023)
• Stanbic Bank. Has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM. There are two Stanbic ATMs in Jinja. (updated Jul 2023)
• Ecobank. 24 hour. Has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM. 12100 withdrawal fee. (updated Jul 2023)
• DTB (32 Main street). 24 hour atm. mastercard visa card atm. no withdrawal fee. (updated Jul 2023)
• UBA Bank, 5 Scindia Road. 24 hours ATM. mastercard visa card atm. USh3400 withdrawal fee. (updated Jul 2023)
• I&M Bank, 8 Scindia Road. 24 hours ATM. Mastercard and Visa card ATM. USh5750 withdrawal fee. (updated Jul 2023)

Eat

There are several restaurants and cafés in the centre of the town. Of which probably 'Flavours, Coffeebar, Restaurant,' Gately on the Nile, The Source café and 2Friends serves are the best in town. There are numerous Indian and Chinese restaurants close by. For cheap food, local vendors are a safe enough bet for most things, but maybe stay away from the meat. Samosas and "Rolex" (basically an omelette wrapped in a chapati) are done well here, are very cheap, and filling.

• 1 Afro Cafe, Iganga Road (near Clive Road). A small no-frills eatery that serves inexpensive but tasty local dishes. They have a menu, so it's easier to chose. Good place for budget travellers. Main dish USh6,000-15,000. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 The Source Cafe, Main Street. Great coffee and pretty good food. Beef/chicken/fish burgers and sandwiches. Vegetarian options available. You can use internet (wireless is available) while you wait. Main dish USh12,000-20,000. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 The Hangout, 42 Wilson Ave (opposite Jinja Farmers Market), ☏ +7 73451414. Modern garden food court with many stalls offering international food. Noodles, hamburgers, pizza, ice cream, coffee, beer. You can also pet local cats. (updated Feb 2024)
• Flavours provides an exclusive Coffee Bar, Restaurant and Pub on Main Street. Flavours gives you the opportunity to have a nice cup of tea, coffee, fresh juice or any other refreshment in an inspiring environment. They also serve good food. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays they host Brood Breads from Kampala where you can buy high quality breads and pastries.
• 2 Friends, food is good, but be prepared to wait a long time for the food to be prepared. The couple that own the place are extremely friendly (as the name suggests), and will even let you make your own playlists from their extensive music collection.
• Nalubale Tea House, is based on Kira Road and is well known for there high quality all day breakfasts, as well as the best steak pies in Jinja. They also do Fire Spinning Nights and Film Nights. They have a free high-speed wireless Internet connection and are open daily 9AM-4PM.

Drink

• Nile Special beer produced here in Jinja.
• Waragi - a spirit, (essentially banana gin) mix with bitter lemon, tastes awesome, potent.

Sleep

• There are few budget hotels in Jinja with prices from USh 31,000.
• 1 Biashara Guest House, Main Street and Ripon Road (On Main St follow the small pathway to the right off Biasara supermarket). Simple but spacious single/double rooms with own bathroom (cold water only). Mosquito nets. No fans, no WiFi. Great view from the rooftop! USh 31,000/41,000. (updated Oct 2021)
• Nile River Explorers Backpackers, Wakoli Ln, between 41 Wilson Ave. and Kiira Rd.. Check-out: 10AM. NRE has a hostel which helpfully takes payment in US dollars or shillings, and has a great bar. The same people also run a camp site/hostel somewhat out of town directly on the Nile. Camping US$7 per person. 10-bed dorm US$12 per person. double room with outside bathroom $30. 
• Nalubale Tea House, 38 Kiira Rd. (Opposite of Sunset Hotel). Dorm US$10. 
• Bellevue hotel Kutch West Road in the city center offers a/c double rooms with own bathroom. TV. From USh 60,000per night.
• Nile High Camp, Kimaka road (4 km north of Jinja), ☏ +256 772-286433. Camping/dorm beds. US$5/10. (updated Apr 2015)
• Bridgeway Guest House, 34 Bridge Road, ☏ +256 772-480142. Single/double rooms with own bathroom. from USh 60,000. (updated Apr 2015)
• Ark Nile Guest House, Bridge Street. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Double room with own bathroom. USh 44,000. (updated Jun 2015)
• Biashara Guest House, Janja-Main street. Check-in: 8AM, check-out: 11AM. Fan double room with own bathroom. TV and breakfast. From USh 72,000. (updated Jun 2015)
• Baraka Guest House, Bell Avenue. Check-in: 8AM, check-out: 11AM. Fan double room with own bathroom. USh 75,000. (updated Jul 2015)
• Jinja Backpackers Hostel, 8 Bridge Road, ☏ +256-784-591252. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Dorm beds/camping. US$5/10. (updated Sep 2015)

• Guest House 2005, Plot no 6 Lady Alice Muloki Road (near main market.), ☏ +256 752-131878, +256 772-431950. Big clean single/double room with own hot water bathroom and net. USh 40,000/50,000. (updated Nov 2015)

Go next

• Bujagali is a ten minute boda boda ride out from Jinja. It's a small tourist village, based on picturesque Bujagali Falls. Witness the locals swimming down the falls with nothing but a jerry can keeping them safe, as well as the odd rafter or kayaker who's made a mistake. Soft Power Health and the Allen stone charities work from Bujagali, and it's very popular with volunteers.
• Mbale
• Kampala

All buses passing through Jinja have to stop at the Traffic Police stand on the main road next to Ambercourt (the huge roundabout at the city entrance). There you can easily board a bus heading to Kampala or Mbale (buses going to either direction stop at the stand).