Jinja – The Adventure Capital Of East Africa - Tristar Africa Skimmer Safaris

Jinja is an industrialized town in Eastern Uganda covering approximately 81 kilometers (50 mi) east of Kampala on the northern shores of Lake Victoria beside the source of the White Nile. Jinja town in the district of Jinja is in Busoga sub-region with Lusoga as the largest local language spoken in the sub-region. The Jinja town was planned during the colonial rule by Ernst May in 1948. May was a German architect and urban planner who not only designed an urban plan for Jinja but Kampala City too. It should be noted that the urban planning scheme displaced over 1,000 people in 1950’s from the slums.
Jinja had the largest economy in Uganda since many factories chose it over other towns because of the nearby power source from Owen Falls Dam. Jinja’s market for fresh Agricultural products was completed in the fourth quarter of 2014 accommodating an estimate of 4,500 vendors. US$ 13.7 was borrowed from the African Development Bank to aid the construction of this enormous market from 2011-2014. It is a strategically located on the East African Highway that connects to Mombasa-Kenya, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Buses from Tanzania and Kenya drop you off on their way to Kampala.

Economy

The biggest factories employing and yet to employ a tremendous number of people in in Jinja are;
Kakira Sugar Works (KSW), a member of the Madhvani Companies. This is one the largest sugar factories in East Africa, providing employment opportunities to over 7,500 people from all walks of life. The factory burns bagasse byproducts from sugar manufacturing to produce electricity of 50 megawatts for internal use and sale to the national grid, and the sugar cane cutting medium wages are estimated at UgShs 1,000 per day.Nile Breweries Limited in Njeru, a suburb in Jinja situated near the Source of the Nile where the factory has been drawing its water from for the last 50 years. Its construction started in 1952 and was completed 4 years later with its first beer (Nile beer then but now Nile special lager) consumed in 1956.
Its acquisition by the South African breweries took place in 2001. MM integrated Steel Uganda limited directly employs 1,800 people. It has completed its $47 million plant to produce 50,000 metric tones of steel products annually with a projection of investing US$600 million through 2018.
The BIDCO international refining company maintains a palm oil factory in the city with palm fruits transported from Bidco’s 16,000 acres plantation on Bugala Island in the Ssese Islands Archipelago, Kalangala district in Lake Victoria. Fruits are crushed in the factory on the island and crude palm oil transported to Jinja for refining into edible oil and other products.
Kiira Motor Corporation, commonly known as Kiira EV Project is set to establish their car manufacturing facility in Jinja and production expected to start off in 2018 with funding from the Ugandan government for initial production and setting the car facility.

TOURS & ATTRACTIONS

If you are planning to visit Uganda and would love to tour Jinja town for a day or two, we at Tristar Africa Skimmer Safaris will be more than happy to organize for you an affordable trip that suits your budget and personal needs.
Areas of Interest in Jinja
Jinja is often marketed as the adventure capital of Uganda because of its numerous beautiful attractions accompanied by thrilling tourism activities. The transport fare to Jinja by road ranges between UGShs4000-7000 in a bus, coaster or a taxi from Kampala City. The areas of attractions include;
The source of the Nile
This is where the source of the world’s longest river is. Within the area standing tall is Speke monument named after the British explorer John Speke who was the first European to see the source of the Nile and another monument honoring Ghandi since his ashes were spread here after his body was cremated.
The River Nile
This river flows northwards stretching through South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt. On it is Owen falls dam. Note that thuis the longest river in the world.
Bujagali Power Station
It is a hydro-electricity facility producing 250 megawatts of electric power supplying the entire Uganda and some exported to other countries like Kenya.
Nile Breweries Limited
It is located in Njeru, a suburb in Jinja near the Source of the Nile where the factory has been drawing its water from for the last 50 years. Its construction started in 1952 and was completed 4 years later with its first beer (Nile beer then but now Nile special lager) consumed in 1956.
Kakira Sugar Works (KSW)
It is a member of the Madhvani Companies, one of the largest sugar factories in East Africa, providing employment opportunities to over 7,500 people from all walks of life.
Swaminarayan Temple
This temple is of great attraction and importance to especially the Indians because it has a bronze bust of Ghandi who was a civil rights activist and the one who led India to independence when it was under the British colonial government.

Tourist Activities in Jinja

White water kayaking – This specific town in Jinja has the greatest river in the world and people come from all over the globe to kayak. It is believed to be the perfect place in the world for it. You wouldn’t want to miss it.
Horseback riding along the Nile– This will give you a beautifully life giving breeze as you ride the horse along the visiting villages and studying their culture and sites.
White water rafting- Be sure to get wet but it is really rewarding from mild to the wild. You can choose to enjoy it together with your beautiful family.
Jet boat Adventures up the Nile rapids- Experience the wilderness of the Nile at an incredible speed without getting wet except a bit of the fresh water sprays.
Sunset Cruise on the Nile- This will deliver you into the night with a memorable view of the White Nile as you enjoy your dinner on board.
Houseboat Safari on Lake Victoria
This two days houseboat safari relaxes your mind as you chill out with your friends, family and perharps strangers who you will get friendly to.
Bungee Jumping
Experience the feel of jumping off a highly pivoted structure into the Nile and rebounding several times. This activity will fasten your heartbeat and adrenaline.
The new development happening in Jinja to boost the tourism industry is the construction of the New Jinja Bridge connecting Njeru to Jinja town. With this, the Ugandan government believes this will be of a great positive impact to Jinja’s transport sector.

CAR RENTAL IN JINJA
if you planning on visiting Jinja town for safari, leisure or business holiday and searching for the ideal transport means, then you should rent a car in Jinja town from a trusted and reliable car rental company for safe private road trip to all these popular attractions and destinations. You can send an email to booking@tristarafricaskimmersafaris.com or call us on +256-758540071 to speak with the reservations team.