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About Jinja

Jinja is situated in Uganda. Jinja backpacking tours offer excellent birdwatching, beautiful forests and hiking trails plus friendly locals and a vibrant atmosphere.

Jinja Budget Travel

Below is a list of Jinja's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Jinja Guided Village Walk, Softpower Community Project, White Water Rafting on the Nile

View all activities in Jinja

Airports

Nearest Jinja airports include:
• Entebbe Kampala International Airport

Birdlife

Jinja birdlife is much like the rest of Uganda's bird life - with a huge array of birds to be found across the city and surrounding areas. Key bird watching destinations include the beautiful Bujagali Falls as well as the ancient Mabira Forest where magnificent great blue turaco, casqued hornbill and a variety of colorful sunbirds can be found in the enormous canopies and trees.

Conservation

Jinja conservation is essential to rebuild the city after years of civil war and violence in the country. Key conservation issues include deforestation, habitat loss, poaching, pollution and land abuse. Some of the current conservation projects in Jinja and surrounds include chimpanzee and gorilla protection programs, protected areas of forest, nature reserves and replanting projects.

Plants

Jinja plant life is lush and abundant, giving the city an eternally green look all year round. Vegetation areas include belts of indigenous tropical forest, as well as woodland and dry savannas, while gardens across the city consist of lush lawns, endless palm trees and tropical plants in all colours imaginable.

Safety Tips

• Jinja is generally safe for travel, however basic precautions should be taken
• Pick pocketing, robbery and muggings have been known to occur, so be on guard
• Keep valuables out of sight and secure in a moneybag under your shirt
• Avoid travel to areas near borders of Sudan, DRC or other areas
• Avoid traveling to northern Uganda, where the Lord’s Resistance Army is in occupation

Travel Books

Jinja recommended books include the following:
• Something about Jinja, Uganda by C Martin
• Uganda: The Bradt Travel Guide by Philip Briggs
• Uganda in Pictures Eric Braun
• Uganda Footprint Travel Guide by Michael Hodd and Angela Roche
• Important Bird Areas in Uganda by Achilles Byaruhanga, Pantaleon Kasoma, and Derek Pomeroy

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Uganda

Wildlife

Jinja wildlife can be found across beautiful forest habitats, including the Mabira Forest which is home to a huge number of red-tailed monkeys and large troops of colobus monkeys too. Nile Crocodiles and Hippos can be found within the rivers, and travelers can enjoy safaris with a difference through horseback tours in the area.

10 Overland tours through Jinja recommended for you

Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition

40 weeks From GBP 3650

London to Cairo

Eastern Trans Africa Expedition

16 weeks From GBP 1950

Cape Town to Cairo

Grand Explorer

10 weeks From GBP 1190

Nairobi to Cape Town

Cape Town to Nairobi with Gorilla Trek

8 weeks From EUR 3180

Cape Town to Nairobi

Nairobi, Gorillas to Johannesburg

7 weeks From EUR 3020

Nairobi to Johannesburg

Nairobi to Victoria Falls Epic

6 weeks From EUR 2640

Nairobi to Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls to Nairobi and Gorillas

5 weeks From EUR 2325

Victoria Falls to Nairobi

East Africa Loop

24 days From EUR 1905

Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam

Kenya to the Gorillas and Back

21 days From EUR 1430

Nairobi to Nairobi

Kenya, Uganda and Gorilla Trek

18 days From ZAR 9100

Nairobi to Nairobi

Game Parks and Gorillas

14 days From EUR 1220

Nairobi to Nairobi

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