Jinja

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.

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.

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.

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. Bellevue hotel Kutch West Road in the city center offers a/c double rooms with own bathroom. TV. From USh 60,000per night.

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).