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There has always been controversy
over the source of the River Nile and, even as recently as 2013, the team from
the TV programme Top Gear, postulated that the real source was a cluster of
rocks north of Lake Victoria while others claim its source is in Rwanda or
Burundi. However unlike Lake Bunyonyi in south
western Uganda which was formed when lava flowed 8000 million years ago from the
Virunga mountains blocking off the Ndego river at present day Muko to create a
dam, thus forming the lake, Lake Victoria, which was deemed the source of the
Nile by on August 3rd, 1858 by John Hanning Speke, is entirely different. Lake
Victoria is a relatively young lake, perhaps some 400,000 years old when its
many tributary rivers were dammed
by an upthrown crystal block. However, even today, the bulk of its water is
drawn from rainfall (with 30% coming from an underwater spring.) As such, and
given that the actual River Nile, as it is known, flows from Lake Victoria, it
is perfectly reasonable to state that Lake Victoria at Jinja
is the true source of the Nile and the theories of others, attempting to prove
otherwise, can be readily dismissed.
Visiting the source of the Nile is a worthwhile
endeavour. Most will stay at nearby Jinja, which was just a small fishing village around the
beginning of the 20th Century that bordered the River Nile at a location that
provided large flat rocks for crossing the river thus facilitating trade (in
fact the name Jinga is taken from the Baganda word for rocks ‘Ejjinja' and
adopted by the British colonists.) Today Jinja has geared up to the tourist industry
and has the second largest economy in Uganda, not just because of tourism, but
because, in a country where road infrastructure is poor, Lake Victoria provides easy
access to towns and ports along Lake Victoria's 3000 mile coastline that also
takes in Kenya and Tanzania.
There are many places to stay in Jinja of varying
quality but if you stay at the top end at somewhere like Jinja City Hotel, you
can expect to pay around 15UK for a double room including a rather dubious
breakfast ~ "No thanks, I don't want that, that or that, I'll just have two
eggs." "No, you can have one egg." (Customer service for you!) There are many
other places available from around 4.00UK a night but perhaps the City Hotel has
the best location as it's on the high street whereas other comfortable hotels
require transport to the town centre. You can then either then take a "special" taxi and
ask for the source of the Nile which will probably take you to Recreation Beach
where you not only pay for entry but pay again for a boat trip or wander along
Main Street until you reach its end, then walk down Busoga Avenue until you reach
Nile Crescent where you will find some more rustic and
much cheaper boat trips with an guide eager for you
to have fun and probably be the only person or family
in the boat. We recommend the latter! It's less touristy and
more engaging.
As the boat takes you to the source of the Nile, your
guide will explain how the 1954 construction of the Nalubaale Power Station, formerly and locally known
as Owen Falls Dam (but don't take photos or you risk arrest), has led to a rise in water levels at the source of the Nile
and this has been exacerbated by further damming works, submerging some islands
and causing havoc with established facilities such as toilets and a gift shop
etc (see the gallery photos below compared with the video.) After your boat trip to the source of the Nile and
surrounding area which takes around 1.5-2 hrs, grab a special and ask for the
Itanda Falls, (note NOT the Bujagali Falls which have been reduced to little
more than a ripple due to the dam's construction and expansion.) The road's a
bit rocky and uncomfortable but the falls themselves are spectacular as seen in
the gallery photos. Here you can undertake white water rafting (extreme white)
however for foreign nationals its very expensive (but the adventure of a
lifetime) or take a more sedate island cruise by boat for a few hours. Be
careful though, you have to pay to enter then everyone will want financial
recompense for guiding you.)
On your way back, probably hot and thirty, call in
at the Bujagali Falls, where you can watch bungee jumping and take in a drink at
the bar. If, after all that excitement you want a good meal, call in at the
Space Cafe in Jinja, one of the few places in Uganda where you can order a western style meal
such as burger and chips and have it delivered within 15 minutes (they also
offer good accommodation) and reflect on your visit to the source of the Nile!
For those with some extra cash in their pockets you can also take a one hour
flight over Jinja and the source of the Nile in a small aircraft which seats up
to three passengers.
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As yet largely uncommercialised,
Western Uganda has many tourist
attractions for the explorer to visit.
As well as the main tourist attractions
there are many other activities
to enjoy in Western Uganda.
A guide to the main towns in and
around Western Uganda, where to stay,
eat and things to see and do.
A comprehensive guide to the best
places to stay when visiting Western
Uganda from hotels to camp sites.