Source of the Nile is a world landmark that attracts many travelers to explore Uganda because it is where the longest River Nile begins from. River Nile is famously known as the Longest River in the world because of the Greek which means valley and is considered to be the source of the Nile by the ancient Nile and it has played a big role in the history of African countries. This is just a natural wonder on the African continent which starts right in Jinja town one of the developed town in Uganda and the Northeastern region of Africa. It happens to be one of the biggest tourist destinations in Uganda.
The Nile flows its waters from the surrounding area near the equator and up to the eastern mouth of the Mediterranean sea. The River is the Longest River in the world which measures 6,696 kilometers long and it has become an international River that drains it’s basin to over 11 countries though the largest part of its water is centered in Uganda and Egypt. There are other countries including Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Eritrea, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Sudan. The Nile basin covers 3.4million square kilometers and consists of 2 major twigs that is the white Nile which is shallow than Bahr-el Arab rift raising up to 9 kilometers deep and splits into three regions that is the plateau part, the sudd, and the central Sudan region. The Blue Nile is estimated to have a depth of about 5-9 kilometers. Both white Nile and Blue Nile are natural water bodies that run flowing from lake Victoria and lake Albert of Uganda and it also connects in Khartoum to form the basis of the Nile that is made up of cascade Nile along the Egyptian Nile.
The Nile was derived from Greek Neilos and in ‘Latin word ‘Nilus’ which means a valley or a river valley ,though the Nile has different other great rivers known to flow from the south north region and was in flood at the highest temperature season of the year which made riddle not solved to the ancient Egyptian and Greeks. Historically the ancient Egyptian is named river Ar or Aur meaning ‘Black’, in other words to the color of the residue carried by the River when it is in floods. Although the Nile mud is basically black enough to have given the land its own oldest name ‘Kemi’ meaning black and also shows an action of darkness. The Nile is the country of Egypt and Sudan and is now called Al-Bahr and Bahr or Al-Nile.
History about the source of the Nile.
Historically the source of Nile was discovered by John Hanning Speke on 3rd August in 1858 who was the son of the armed officer in the west country and by 1844 he joined the army of the East India company at the youngest age of seventeen. Later in 1854, he decided to join an expedition to East Africa under the command of Captain Richard Burton who had come back purposely to visit Mecca as an Arab pilgrim in the year before.
In 1856, John Speke secured Burton on another voyage to east Africa, which was prepared by the Royal Geographical Society. In early 1858 he discovered Lake Tanganyika when he was on his tour to the inland of the coast opposite Zanzibar. However, after three months that he spent along the lake both of them Burton and Speke were ill and they had to come back towards the coast and more so, they had to find another water body to the north of Tanganyika and later in August he described what we say a vast expanse of the pale –blue waters of the northern side of lake and he named it Lake Victoria which he believed that it was the source of the Nile. Unfortunately, the journey of discovering the source of the Nile wasn’t easy to both of them but in 1858 John Speke finally discovered the source of the Nile in which Burton could not believe that it is truly Speke had discovered the source.
The amazing source of the Nile sometimes is considered to be Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa but the lake is known to be fed by other rivers of Kagera River which pours into Lake Victoria closer to Bukoba town in Tanzania though the Nile do not agree on the longest dispute of Kagera and thus the distant source of the Nile itself.
However in Uganda, the Nile leaves Lake Nyanza at Ripon falls near the biggest town of Jinja in Uganda as well as Victoria Nile, The Nile flows to the north for about 130 kilometers wide to lake kyoga. Then the last side of the River section estimates 200 kilometers long which starts from the western shores of the lake and go along at first to the west until just in the south of Masindi port where the river turns in north then it makes a good half circle to the north and east till karuma falls and the remaining part flows in the west through Murchison falls and it reaches to the northern shores of Lake Albert where it express a notable river delta. It also continues to the north of Uganda known as Albert Nile.
Despite being a fibrous place to go to source of the Nile is the main point where the Nile starts its long journey to Mediterranean sea , so visiting the Nile you will have great sight-seeing of the longest river in the world and also the largest white water lake in Africa , offering as many as exciting activities you would desire to engage and these include Jet Boating, Bungee jumping, Kayaking , Swimming ,Horse Riding, Quad Biking and white water Rafting is so fantastic along River Nile many more others.
White water Rafting on River Nile Uganda: Uganda is famously known as the pearl of Africa because of very many natural wonders are found in here and among them the source of the Nile which was discovered in 1858 by John Speke and it has played a big role in the country’s history above of all is the longest river in the world and boosts because of most enjoyable experience of white water rafting .White water rafting on River Nile is done throughout the year because of Uganda’s conducive equatorial weather.This marvelous experience unlike other warm water ,sunshine with less rainfall making white water rafting here amazing and unforgettable .The Nile rapids provide to the rafters good thrill and enjoyable unmatched like no other before exploring the pools of white water where one can take a breath taking resting and swimming, spotting out some bird species and wildlife in this warmest place.
Bungee jumping: This is an unfamiliar activity among many other activities carried out in Uganda along here on River Nile Bungee Jumping allows the traveler to kiss the vibrant Nile at around 40meters from the high ground and this is a unique experience to those who feel that they want to get expedition out. Since it takes a short time it can be combined with other awesome activities on your Uganda Safari Tours.
Kayaking: Kayaking on River Nile is the only way to enjoy the experiences on the Nile, besides that kayaking is done on low water level using a boat in a way of paddling the sits facing forward and your legs in front to double-bladed paddle, so pulling front to and back on one other to locate the direction. And in so doing this exciting experience a traveler is able to view the surrounding areas of the farmland, communities, exotic bird feeding on the fish and you can also kayak the Nile with breath taking weather around.
Swimming: Swimming in River Nile in Jinja is possible because it is bilharzia free, other infectious diseases and free from dangerous animals such as Hippos and crocodiles.
Horse Riding: Along here at the shores of River Nile in the paths passing through farmland and as well as enjoying your ride in the communities in the countryside on a horse with children seated comforted as you take in the pure air of nature and birds.
Quad Biking: Quad Biking is more than being marvelous and is the only way to spend a sunny afternoon in Jinja along the River Nile and you can as well the ride through the countryside and meet the typical Ugandan on way going to work, some going to their gardens as children cheer you on. To engage in all these excitations, experience a traveler has book his /her tour to Jinja in time before your time of arrival in Uganda’s tours to the truly prominent tour operator and we Achieve global safaris we can package your tour on right care together booking for you accommodation with good facility and many more.
The Source of the Nile River can be best visited all year round depending on Uganda’s weather.
Where to stay:
The source of the Nile River is surrounded by beautiful accommodation facilities and the panoramic view of River Nile is rewarding. They range between luxury ,budget and mid-range such as Jinja safari camp ,The mansion Hotel ,Nile Anchor palace ,Al-Nisaa Hotel and Spa ,Gately on Nile ,Signature Hotel Apartments ,Royal park Hotel ,Emirina Travel Hotel ,Living water Resort ,Casa Mia Baliidha ,Jinja Base Camp ,Nile Front Cottages ,Living water Resort and many more other nice accommodation facilities around the Nile.
Source of the Nile is located just a few kilometers away from Uganda’s capital city Kampala which takes only 2hours and 12 minutes on a surface road passing Lugazi.