Culture & Heritage · Jinja
Source of the Nile & Speke Monument
Where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria to begin its journey to the Mediterranean — marked by the monument to John Hanning Speke, who reached it in 1862.
How to get there
By road from Kampala, about an hour and a half east along the Jinja highway.
What to find
The Speke and Gandhi memorials, boat trips onto the river's start, and Jinja's whitewater rafting scene.
Overview
At Jinja, the White Nile flows out of Lake Victoria to begin its roughly 6,650 km journey to the Mediterranean. The explorer John Hanning Speke reached the spot in July 1862 and identified it as the source of the Nile, and a monument now marks the site.
The original Ripon Falls were submerged when the Owen Falls Dam was built in the 1950s. Today, a short boat ride takes you to the point where the river leaves the lake. Nearby, a memorial marks where some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were scattered in 1948.
Highlights
- A boat trip to the point where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria
- The Speke Monument and the Gandhi Memorial
- Birdlife along the riverbanks
- Easy to combine with Jinja's adventure activities
Things to do
Source of the Nile boat trip
A short cruise to where the river begins.
Memorials
Visit the Speke Monument and Gandhi's memorial.
Adventure activities
Rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding with Jinja operators.
Best time to visit
All year. Morning and late afternoon light is best on the water.
Getting there
In Jinja, about 2 to 2.5 hours by road east of Kampala, depending on traffic. You pass the Mabira Forest on the way.
Where to stay
Jinja has riverside lodges, boutique hotels and budget guesthouses.
Jinja & the Nile
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Uganda →
Good to know
- Make a full day of it with Jinja's river activities.
- Traffic out of Kampala can be heavy, so start early.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.