The mingle of stories about the source of the Nile were silenced after John Speke’s discovery that the source of the Nile is Lake Victoria. While the waters begin their voyage from the north to the south, it begins from the waters that flow through Lake Victoria and empties through the Mediterranean Sea.
The Nile is blessed with two main tributaries that; white and Blue Nile and the Blue Nile is the main source with about 80% of the water. The White Nile sets off from Lake Victoria and passes through Uganda and South Sudan. It is considered to be longer than the Blue Nile.
Lake Tanganyika flags off the flow of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia and both rivers meet up in Khartoum Sudan’s capital. The north section of the river meanders northwards into the Nubian desert and finally to Egypt while the remaining part finds its resting place in the Mediterranean Sea.
History and discovery
History is always the best teacher and visiting the source of the Nile is always a great experience, thanks to the explorers that exposed it to the world. There is a lot of back and forth on how the source of the Nile was discovered but it all began from the two renowned historic explorers Burton and Speke.
The pair had both thought that Lake Tanganyika was the source but later on realized it wasn’t but were still continuing with the search. Speke secretly continued with his search until he found the then Lake Nalubaale and named it Victoria, announcing it as the source of the Nile.
But because they were in competition with Burton, he failed to accept Speke’s finding and asked for a challenge but Speke didn’t show up. It is allegedly believed that Speke killed himself because he couldn’t face Burton to prove that lake Victoria was the source of the Nile but it was later on confirmed that his findings were the truth and it went down in history on 3rd August 1958, as John Speke discovered the source of the Nile and the rest is history.
What to do while at the Nile’s source
The beauty of the source of the Nile is appreciated by over 11 countries in which the river flows and these are some of the activities enjoyed by safari makers while on the shimmering waters of the Nile.
- White water rafting
The fact that we can’t ascertain if water body water is blue or white is cleared off by this sport because it purely displays the bright white clouds of the waters due to the pressure the sport is done with. The numerous rapids on the river surely give tourists a blast of both fear and joy while they are on a raft finding their way through the dangling and mingling waters of the Nile.
- Bungee jumping
This is a new sport that has been introduced for tourists who are very enthusiastic about adrenaline giving activities and those who want to get direct contact with the longest river in the world. A jump from over 40m high cliff gives tourists a kiss of life as they get to touch the splendid waters of the Nile before they bounce back to their original position.
- Kayaking
While the rapids give a blast for tourists in love with white water rafting, the low water levels are usually calm and relieve the stress of tourists who paddle their way through the Nile.
- Swimming
Tourists who storm the Nile shouldn’t miss out on enjoying the flowing waters of the Nile and massage their bodies as they enjoy a swim in the bilharzia free waters. Furthermore, the waters are also free from crocodiles and hippopotamus hence tourists shouldn’t fear enjoying this muscle flexing sport.
- Horse riding
Tourists get to enjoy the scenic nature and surroundings as they ride through the paths on the shores that lead to farm lands as they spot a variety of nature collections like birds, animals among other features.
- Nile floating
This is usually good for children and adults because it doesn’t influence any adrenaline rush since they just sit comfortably and have a gradual sail over the waters of the Nile. It can be done on a farm; boat and the essence are usually to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding.
- River boarding
River surfing on the Nile is a complete adrenaline rush sport as it is done from the harshest of rapids and usually gathers all the sports that are done by tourists while on the Nile.
- Sport fishing
Lake Victoria is blessed with a number of fish like tilapia, cat, Nile perch and it is not a surprise to meet locals fish while on a trip to the lake. Tourists who would love to participate in sport fishing shouldn’t have any hesitation because the source of the Nile is rich in a variety of fish species. All that is required of them is to book for fishing equipment or come with their own fishing equipment. Sport fishing is usually done in the morning or evening.
- Quad biking
This is another interesting sport that is interesting to both tourists who have an idea about biking or not.
Tourists jump in a four-wheel bike and start enjoying the adventures of the source of the Nile. The riders move through the remote side of the area, plantations like sugarcane, tea and others.
Time to visit
The waters are usually calmer, warmer and clearer during the dry season than they are during the wet so it is advised that much as vacation to the source of the Nile can be done all year round, the time that will give u a blast and a day to remember is the dry season that usually kicks in during June September breaks off and resumes again in November throughout February.
