Boat Cruise Trips in Uganda

Boat cruises or launch trips are some of the top safari activities in Uganda to see especially aquatic wildlife. With the several water holes that attract wildlife to quench their thirst, boat cruise trips in Uganda are perfect to see the various animal and bird species.

There are three out of the ten national parks that offer boat cruise trips in Uganda. The boat cruises offer tourists an opportunity to see up close wildlife that lives in the water and along the shores.

Here are the different boat cruise trips in Uganda experienced in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kazinga channel, Murchison Falls National Park’s Nile River, and Lake Mburo.

Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park has the top wildlife boat cruise experience on the Kazinga channel. The shores of the Kazinga Channel have several abundant wildlife and bird species to see along its shores.

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer-wide natural channel that connects two lakes known as Lake George in the east and Lake Edward in the west. Lake George is a tiny lake with an overall depth of 2.4 meters and 250 sq. km.

It is fed by several streams that flow from the Rwenzori Mountains which are the highest mountain ranges in Africa. From the mountains, the streams flow to Lake Edward then to the Kazinga Channel, and finally to Lake Edward in the West. Therefore the channel flows from East to West.

Boat Cruise Trips in Uganda

Shores of the Kazinga channel attract a large number of wild animals, reptiles, and birds. The largest population of hippos in the whole world can be found at the channel as well as plentiful Nile crocodiles.

Some of the wildlife species that can be seen on a launch trip at the Kazinga channel include buffaloes, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and several other wildlife species in the Kasenyi plains within the grassland thickets.

Kazinga Channel has great picturesque views of the amazing wildlife in the park as they come to quench their thirst at the shores which gives an awe experience of relaxing in wildlife-filled waters.

Queen Elizabeth National Park boat cruise is always run at 3 a.m. and 5 p.m. and at times 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time.

Murchison Falls National Park Boat Cruise – Boat Cruise Trips in Uganda

Murchison Falls is the most powerful waterfall formed as the Nile River squeezes through a 7-meter gorge that can best be seen below on a boat cruise.

The boat cruise is such a perfect way to experience the fall of the Nile River water and spot aquatic wildlife. The boat cruise takes off from Paraa jetty to the bottom of the mighty falls.

The trip takes about 2 hours and during this time you can see several wildlife species quenching their thirst at the shores of the river. You can also see several bird species and hear the sound of the roaring falls.

For birders, the Delta cruise is such a perfect way to spot several bird species.

Boat Cruise Trips in Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park Boat Cruise

Lake Mburo is one spot where most of the wildlife comes to quench its thirst and therefore can be seen here. Taking a boat cruise can help you have a great experience and also a spot to see lots of wildlife at once. Schedule a boat cruise trip before planning to visit the park to ensure that it will be available.

It is also the only park with a lake within it “Lake Mburo” from which the park derives its name. Lake Mburo is part of the 50 km long wetland system with 13 other lakes in the area. 5 of them lie within the park borders.

When planning any Uganda wildlife safari or tour in Uganda, be sure to include a boat cruise to make the experience very memorable and spot wildlife.

All these trips are undertaken alongside a very well-experienced tour guide. Other Uganda safari activities include gorilla tracking in Uganda, bird watching, nature walks, hiking, cycling, hot air balloon experience, chimpanzee trekking, and many more.