Escape to the Eastern City this Festive Season

Looking for a unique gateway this festive season? Look no further than Jinja, Uganda’s vibrant Eastern city. Known for its stunning Jinja golf course, breathtaking scenery and exciting adventures, Jinja is the perfect destination for travelers seeking relaxation, excitement and cultural experiences.

Golf:

Jinja Golf Club, located at the Source of the Nile, offers a unique golfing experience set against the backdrop of the beautiful Nile River. The 9-holes golf course dates as far back as the 1920s. Probably the best kept secret in Uganda.  The course is set next to the Source of the Nile providing stunning views. The course itself range from 200-yard par 3`s to 500yard plus par 5`s. Do not expect carpeted fairways and glass like greens. Do expect a very challenging round of golf. There is no need to book – just turn up, hire a set of clubs, get a caddie at a paltry fee and start hitting the course.

The club has probably one of the most romantic, certainly geographically unique, locations in the world. It borders the source of the great River Nile. Whenever one thinks of the Nile, it’s Egypt that usually springs to mind. But the Nile starts in Uganda, flowing north out of Lake Victoria. At that very point stands the Jinja Golf Club overlooking the river and the lake with some great views from an elevated position. It’s a 9-hole course, but different tees for the second nine offers you only a slightly different experience from the outward half. I’ve played the course on several occasions and it’s an enjoyable test for me. The tees are a bit scruffy, and the fairways, bunkers and greens are certainly not ‘immaculate’ or ‘manicured’ – but they’re good enough for addicted golfers far from Scotland suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

The terrain is mainly flat, the fairways are broad, and rough and bunkers are not too punishing. But almost all of the holes can bite. Talking of which, one of the local rules is as follows. ‘On the green if a hippo footmark interferes with the lie of the ball or the line of putt, the ball may be lifted and placed not nearer the hole on the ground that avoids these conditions.’ Actually, it seems that the hippos have elected to play their golf elsewhere in the last 15 years sightings have been very rare indeed.

Continuing on the wildlife theme, there are three slight doglegs; birdies are available and eagles can occasionally pop up; but it is not a course for old crocs or rabbits. The greens are small, and trees are well placed to punish the overconfident and the wayward. But the thing that struck me most was that I was golfing at the source of the Nile.
Par is 36. At 3200 yards it’s not a short course with one of the par 3s over 200 yards, one of the par 4s over 400 yards and two of the par 5s at 520 yards.

On the 1st hole, a 385-yard par 4, trees line the right side of the fairway, but there’s plenty of room to bail out to the left. Thereafter, your mid-iron shot to the green must keep right of the ‘jungle’ which funnels in from the left towards the green. So care is necessary. Given the dangers around, our excitement at teeing off where the Nile tees off, and the usual 1st hole stiffness, maybe we should accept a bogey at the start, happy that we have not hoicked a ball to be carried in a swift current to Cairo. The 2nd, a 163-yard par 3 over a deepish gully just requires a good strike to an unprotected green. Still a good chance of getting our par if we don’t quite make the green.

Birdieable, but it’s just a bit early in the round. On the 3rd, a 496-yard par 5, we tee off with a slight rise in front of us, but pylons in the distance give us a good line. We should not miss the broad, broad fairway which takes a long, straight sweep down to the green. A good drive and a good 3 wood followed by an accurate pitch to the green, avoiding the bunkers short and left, will give us our first birdie. So back to par after three holes.

The 520-yard par 5 4th (550 for the inward half) would be straightforward were it not for a couple of huge trees encroaching well into the fairway just at the corner of the dogleg where you want to be playing your pitch to the green. Back up the gentle slope we’ve got bags of fairway for a real go with the driver. The 3 wood to follow is the crucial shot at this hole. We must take the long route up the left of the fairway. Then we should have a shot to the green round or over the aforesaid trees. And it’s a small green, dropping off sharply at the back. All in all, we’re more likely to end up with a bogey than a par.

The 5th, a short 306 yards par 4, gives us an immediate opportunity to recoup that loss. A good drive with plenty of fairway to work with, followed by an accurate pitch and putt gives us our birdie. We need to be careful on the par 4 402 yards 6th. Driving at an angle to a quite narrow tree-lined fairway, we require accuracy rather than distance off the tee. Thereafter, a good middle-to-long iron will take us to the green, avoiding a large bunker short right. We’ve played that hole well to keep us level after six.

The 7th, a 197 yards par 3, is really only protected by its length. Par is very achievable. We take a short walk through the trees to the 8th tee and the best viewpoint of the source of the Nile. Superb!

But back to business. The par 5, 520 yards 8th requires care off the tee, but a well-hit drive avoiding trees to the left and the desperate rough on the right down towards the Nile, and a well-hit 3 wood into a widening fairway sets us up for a short-to-middle iron to the green. However, we must under no circumstances drift short right into a greenside bunker which will have us reaching for our Hamlets. Birdie is possible, but let’s be thankful that we are where we are and be happy with par. The par 3 205 yards 9th shapes up perfectly for drawers of the ball. But for me it’s a high, well-hit 3 wood that needs to sail over the tall trees on the left and drift down to the largest green on the course.

The source of the Nile River has long fascinated explorers and historians. Traditionally, it was believed to originate from Lake Victoria, but more recent expeditions have suggested that the true source may be in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda, where glaciers and mountain streams converge.

Overall, Jinja Golf Club is praised for its natural beauty and friendly environment, making it a great spot for golfers looking to enjoy a round while soaking in the local culture. Have you played there, or are you planning a visit?

Beyond Golf:

Beyond the lush greens and rolling fairways, Jinja beckons adventurers, nature lovers, and cultural enthusiasts to explore its hidden gems.

Source of the Nile: Visit the legendary source of the world’s longest river, where the Nile flows out of Lake Victoria. Take a boat tour or stroll along the riverbank, absorbing the historic significance.

Mabira Forest: Immerse yourself in the lush canopy of this tropical forest, home to over 300 bird species, butterflies, and monkeys. Hike, zip-line, or take a guided nature walk.

Owen Falls Dam: Marvel at the majestic dam, which regulates the Nile’s flow and generates hydroelectric power.

White-water Rafting: Conquer the Nile’s mighty rapids, graded III-IV, with experienced guides.

Kayaking: Paddle through calm waters or tackle the thrilling rapids.

Bungee Jumping: Take the leap of faith off the Jinja Bridge, 44 meters above the Nile.