This 1 Day Jinja Tour, Sezibwa Falls Hike, & Mabira Forest Reserve Walk is one of the best short Uganda tour packages.
The tour is an excellent option for families and friends interested in weekend gateways. It is also perfect for those who have already visited the Uganda safari parks or are in the country for a workshop and business trip.
On this 1 Day Jinja Tour, you’ll visit the Jinja source of the Nile, one of the most iconic places in Africa. While traveling to Jinja, you’ll have different stops to explore other points of interest such as Mabira Forest and the Sezibwa Falls.
This 1 Day Jinja Tour starts as early as possible.
Your driver guide will pick up from the hotel in Kampala by 6.30am. We aim to beat the menacing traffic jam through the city and save enough time to be able to enjoy all the day’s activities without rush.
You’ll drive through tea plantations, sugar plantations and colorful roadside fruit and vegetable markets. On two stops you’ll see several Ugandans selling roast meat as a quick snack for travellers in buses and taxis.
1 Day Jinja Tour Highlights
- Sezibwa Falls Hike & Cultural Tour
- Mabira Forest Nature Walk
- Boat Cruise to the Source of River Nile – Jinja
Detailed 1 Day Jinja Tour Itinerary
Sezibwa Falls Hike & Cultural Tour
After approximately 40 minutes of driving, we arrive at our first stop of the trip, the Sezibwa Falls.
These amazing waterfalls are situated about 32 kilometers along the Kampala – Jinja road on the Sezibwa River. They are set in an undisturbed natural and tranquil area with lots of birds and wildlife.
The Sezibwa River plunges over 17-meter-high rocks into a large 13-meter-deep pool. The site is alive with activity from birds, monkeys, butterflies and other wildlife which inhabits the Sezibwa River and the nearby jungles.
The Sezibwa are also an important Buganda Cultural Heritage Site where traditional worship of ancestral spirits is still practiced.
The spiritual aspect stems from what traditionalists tell about the supernatural creation of Sezibwa River and the fall.
The traditionalists then set up shrines at the site to worship and make sacrifices to these spirits in return for blessings and favors.
A site attendant will take you on a one hour guided tour around the falls to explore the natural beauty and learn about this traditional cultural heritage.
Mabira Forest Nature Walk
After you are done with Sezibwa, return to the highway, drive for approximately 20 minutes and get to our next destination which is Mabira Forest.
Mabira is the biggest forest in the central region of Uganda.
It spans 306 square kilometers of predominantly secondary forest which has been growing for the last 100 years.
The forest supports an impressive diversity of life which includes 312 species of trees and shrub of which some of the shrubs have been discovered to be unique to Mabira and not found anywhere else.
It is home to 316 species of Uganda birds, 219 butterflies, 97 months and 35 species of small mammals such as Duikers, Bushbucks, Squirrels, Red-tailed Monkeys, and Grey-cheeked Mangabey.
There are good trails in the forest which will give you access to plenty of wildlife in the forest.
There is a large group of Grey-cheeked Mangabeys which has been habituated in Mabira so you have a good chance of seeing them.
Transfer to the Visitors Center at the Mabira Eco-tourism Site, meet the site guide and set off for on 2 hour trek to explore the natural beauty of Mabira Forest, enjoy the peace and tranquility of being close to nature.
When you come back, return to the highway and proceed to Jinja.
Optional Activities
- Bird watching
- Zip Lining
- Mangabey monkey tracking
- Picnic
Source of River Nile Boat Cruise
You shall have lunch in Jinja at a hotel by the Nile; relax briefly before going for the tour at Source of the River Nile.
This is the main highlight of a one day tour to Jinja.
You shall take a boat trip on River Nile and cruise upstream to the exact spot marked the source of the Nile.
Water bubbles can be seen here which signals water sprouting from the ground before it mixes with water from Lake Victoria to flow northwards.
Enjoy plenty of picture moments and observe plenty of wildlife on the island, along the shores and across the green landscape.
Bird lovers are in for a treat as the area is rich with lots of water birds such as cormorants, herons, kingfishers, pelicans, etc. This is a one hour boat ride, return to meet the driver and leave for Kampala, arriving in the evening.
Optional Activities In Jinja
- White water rafting on the Nile Rive
- Kayaking on the Nile River
- Tubing on the Nile River
- Quad biking
- Mountain biking
- Horseback rides
- Bungee jumping
- Sunset boat cruise
End of the 1 Day Jinja Tour
1 Day Jinja Tour Inclusions:
- Lunch and bottled water
- Transport & fuel
- An English Speaking Guide
- Sezibwa Falls visit
- Visiting Mabira forest for a nature walk or Zip-lining
- Boat cruise to the source of the Nile
- Pickup and drop-off at the airport
1 Day Jinja Tour Exclusions:
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation
- Air tickets and Uganda Visa
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Optional activity fees
