This Tiny Ugandan Town on the Nile River Is the Ultimate Destination for Thrill-Seekers

Tourists from near and far travel to Uganda to try Jinja’s world-renowned, heart palpitation-inducing whitewater rafting. While there are many rafting companies in Jinja, the main two outfitters are Nalubale and Nile River Explorers. Both offer class 3 (suitable for intermediates or adventurers) and class 5 (experts or adrenaline junkies) tours, including breakfast and safety training, a rental helmet and life vest, and free photos of the experience. Additionally, Nalubale offers class 2 tours, which are suitable for beginners and families. Before selecting class 5, consider how comfortable you are with the raft capsizing. The class 5 course navigates violent sections of the river, including a water fall, so you will likely get tossed from the raft and thrashed around the tumultuous waters. However, the class 5 rapids require no previous experience—perfect for thrill-seekers wanting to test their limits.

If rafting isn’t enough to get your adrenaline pumping, there is also tandem or solo whitewater kayaking. You can even take a multi-day kayak course with Kayak the Nile to learn how to navigate the turbulent class 5 rapids like a pro! Don’t worry: When you flip (and you will flip), at least you’ll be wearing a helmet.

You’ll think you’ve died and gone to waterfall heaven with Jinja’s beautiful landscapes. Though a recent dam installation has impacted the scale of the once thundering Bujagali Falls, you can now hire a boat to traverse the Nile, getting as close to Bujagali as you dare.

The powerful Itanda Falls are affectionately known as “The Bad Place” due to their location within the class 5 whitewater rafting course. For those not wanting to find out how Itanda earned its nickname, the more mild Griffins Falls can be observed from land, just outside of Jinja town in the Mabira Rainforest. After a short nature walk through the forest, the trees will open up to the beautiful cascading falls.

Where else can you ride a jet speedboat at 55 miles per hour over whitewater rapids? If you’re not scared of getting whiplash, this unique adventure activity operated by Adrift renders a combination of excitement and novelty, inclusive of 360-degree spins! For those wanting a smoother ride, the Mvule boat is a traditionally handcrafted vessel with modern engine power. Plunge off the boat for a dip or enjoy riverside views as the boat navigates calmer sections of the Nile.

If admiring the source of the Nile by water doesn’t catch your fancy, how about a birds-eye-view? Plunging 144 feet off a bridge over the river sounds a lot more exciting–if your nerves can handle it. Jinja’s bungee operator Adrift also offers tandem jumps, in case taking the leap on your own is too terrifying. There really is no better way to seal a friendship than jumping off a bridge together.

Stand up paddleboarding the Nile is a less harrowing, yet still adventurous way to experience the world-famous river. The Nile River Explorers camp is located on a calm inlet of the river, free from hippos and crocodiles. Rent a board to practice your skills around the bay, or for those more experienced, saddle up and head further downstream.

For tours of the Nile by board, Nile SUP provides half- and full-day excursions on the water, including their innovative “The SUP hammock system.” The SUP hammock is just as awesome as it sounds: enjoy unlimited beers while you and your friends relax on over-water hammocks rigged to a floating support.

Not far from Jinja city is the Mabira Forest Camp, an environmental conservation center which offers tourists a daring jungle adventure. Your trip to the rainforest will include a visit to the “super skyway,” a  zip-line course spanning 820 feet across the Musamya River. Zip-lining through a canopy of trees starts with a climb up to the first platform, where you’ll then repel 256 feet back down. Hopefully, you’re not afraid of heights.

Though Jinja’s claim to fame is its location at the Nile’s source, there are plenty of land-based adventures awaiting. For cycling enthusiasts, Explorers Biking Safaris operates bike tours from Jinja, which range from riverside day trips to more lengthy bike and camp tours of the surrounding areas.

For those less athletically-inclined, you can explore Jinja by horseback. Your horse will take you through beautiful trails along the riverbank, offering epic views of the Nile.