The source of the Nile at Jinja
At Jinja, Lake Victoria drains into the Victoria Nile. This outflow is what visitors call the source of the Nile. It is the place where the lake becomes a river, and the water is broad and calm. It is not the most distant stream of the whole river system, and a visible swirl of water should not be described as the farthest origin of the Nile.
European accounts credit the British explorer Speke with identifying the outflow as the Nile's source. People who lived along the lake and the river knew the place long before that. A visit combines a viewpoint, two small monuments and, if you wish, a boat or kayak trip to the spot. Prices here are those listed in 2026 and they change.
The two banks and the monuments
Where to stand, and what you find there.
The eastern bank at Jinja
A bust of Gandhi stands on the Jinja shore. Ask at the gate what is charged, because no current tariff is confirmed for 2026.
The western bank at Njeru
A column for Speke stands at the western Njeru access. The way in and the price can differ from the Jinja side, and one ticket does not cover both banks.
Opening hours
Reports give hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or from sunrise to sunset. Do not rely on one figure. Go in daylight and ask on arrival.
Our picks: the Source of the Nile
Two boat trips from Jinja and a longer day trip from Kampala.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trip from Kampala with a boat ride on Lake Victoria and the Nile
Eight to nine hours by car from Kampala with a one-hour boat ride, a buffet lunch and a walk at Ssezibwa; Mabira Forest is a drive-through. Other entry fees are not listed separately.
Check availability →
Source of the Nile sunset boat trip
Two hours on the water with a bird guide, a drink, life jackets and a stop at the Gandhi and Speke memorials. It starts at a camp in Kangulumira, not in central Jinja, and the listing asks for at least four people.
Check availability →Nile source boat ride and Kikondo village walk
One hour by boat to the source of the Nile and one hour on foot through Kikondo village.
Check availability →Source of the Nile: tours and boat trips
Boat trips, cruises, kayak tours and day trips around Jinja, with live prices and availability.
Getting onto the water
A motorboat and a kayak are different products with different prices.
| Option | Length | Example price in 2026 | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorboat at the shore | 20 to 45 minutes | about $15 to $20 per person (rough guide) | Some boats charge per boat. Agree price, people and time before you board. |
| Guided kayak tour to the source | 2 hours | $100 alone, $75 per person from 2 | Start Jinja Sailing Club, end Bourbon Bar and Grill |
| Guided stand-up paddle tour to the source | 2 hours | $100 alone, $75 per person from 2 | Equipment and fees as listed in the offer |
| Sunset or midday cruise | 2 hours | $45 or $30 | Not a source visit; see the boat trips page |
The motorboat figures are not an official tariff and not a direct operator price. The kayak tour is a listed product by one operator and includes equipment, a transfer from Bujagali and entry and exit fees. Do not apply those inclusions to a motorboat trip. For evening and midday cruises, see boat trips.
Practical tips for the visit
Short points before you go.
Photography near the dam
The UK FCDO says photographing military, official and diplomatic sites is forbidden, and it names the Owen Falls Dam near Jinja. A trip to the source does not give you permission to photograph power stations.
Safety page →Water contact
The US health agency CDC names the Nile and Lake Victoria as places where bilharzia is passed on, and it recommends a life jacket on boat trips. Do not swim at the source and do not treat calm water as safe.
Cash and small change
Carry some cash in small notes for entry fees and boat rides, and agree the price before you start.
River trips start elsewhere
A rafting day starts at an inland point reached by transfer, not at the lake. See the rafting page and the list of things to do.
Nilquelle: the German name
Why the word turns up.
Nilquelle is the German word for the source of the Nile, and German-speaking visitors search for the place under that name. The place is the same: the lake outflow at Jinja, where the river leaves Lake Victoria. The picture shows the Nile just after it leaves the lake.
Source of the Nile: frequently asked questions
Is this really the source of the Nile?
It is the tourist source: the outflow of Lake Victoria into the Victoria Nile. It is not the most distant stream feeding the river system, and no one should claim that a visible swirl of water marks the farthest origin.
How much does it cost to visit?
No current tariff is confirmed for both banks for 2026. A motorboat trip is reported at roughly $15 to $20 per person for 20 to 45 minutes, and the guided kayak tour costs $100 alone or $75 per person from 2 people. Ask for the total before you pay.
Can I swim at the source?
No. The CDC names the Nile and Lake Victoria as places where bilharzia is passed on, and it advises against swimming in fresh water such as lakes and rivers.
Can I photograph the Owen Falls Dam?
The UK FCDO lists photography of official sites, including the Owen Falls Dam near Jinja, as forbidden. Ask before you raise a camera near any power station.
Who found the source of the Nile?
European accounts credit the British explorer Speke with identifying the Lake Victoria outflow as the Nile's source. The people who lived along the lake and the river knew the place long before, and the story of a European "discovery" is only one version of its history.
How much time should I plan?
A motorboat trip takes 20 to 45 minutes and the guided kayak tour about 2 hours. Add time for the shore, the monuments and the way there. The opening hours are not fixed, so go in daylight.