Boat Cruise Safari in Uganda

Boat Cruise Safari in Uganda is one of the most adventurous Uganda Safari Packages that a traveler can engage in on any of the many water bodies in the country. Uganda is blessed with various rivers and lakes which offer unique and amazing boat cruise safaris to visitors such as Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Kazinga Channel, Murchison falls, Lake Bunyonyi among others. During the boat cruise safari in Uganda, you will have spectacular views of animals like hippos, Nile crocodiles, bird species, surrounding communities among others which give you breathtaking experience on your safari in Uganda. Boat cruise can be combined with other activities like game drive, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, mountain climbing, nature walk among others to make your safari in Uganda memorable.

Where to go for boat cruise safari in Uganda

Boat cruise on Kazinga channel

Kazinga Channel is a 40 meters long water body that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Kazinga Channel is situated in Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest and one of the most visited national parks in Uganda located in the south western region. Kazinga channel offers the best boat cruise experience in Uganda which starts at either in the morning at 9 am or in the afternoon at 2 pm and the boats depart from a landing site near Mweya safari lodge. Boat cruise safari at Kazinga Channel takes about 2 hours and you will be able to have beautiful views of animals like the hippos because Kazinga Channel is known as a destination with the highest number of hippos in the whole world. You will also see other animals like the crocodiles, monitor lizards, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes along the water banks and various bird species such as the fish eagle, African swimmers, black bee-eater, goliath heron, hamerkop, yellow billed stork, grey-headed kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, African mourning dove among others. During the boat cruise safari at Kazinga Channel, you will also be able to view the fishermen who will be laying their nets for night fishing. Boat cruise safari at Kazinga Channel will give you interesting and exceptional experiences on your safari in Uganda.

Boat cruise in Murchison falls National Park

Murchison falls National Park is located in northwestern part of Kampala and it’s the largest national park in Uganda. Murchison falls national park offers two boat cruise safaris that is boat cruise at the bottom of the falls and the boat cruise to the Nile Delta which stretches to Lake Albert. Boat cruise in Murchison falls national park to the bottom of the falls start from Paraa jetty in the morning at 9am or in the afternoon at 2pm with a guide who will help you to spot different wildlife during cruising. Both the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls and the Nile Delta are rewarding in that you will have a spectacular view of the scenery, wildlife animals like the hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes Uganda kobs, lions among others which will be viewed along the water banks. Boat cruise in Murchison falls national park offers you an opportunity to view various bird species for example the pre-historic shoebill stork, African fish eagle, African skimmer, handsome francolin, African jacana, pied kingfisher, saddle-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher among others. Boat cruise to the bottom of the falls takes about 2 to 3 hours while the boat cruise to the Nile delta takes about 3 to 4 hours. Murchison falls national part also offers an opportunity to visitors who want to hire private boats and cruise at their own time.

Boat cruise in Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo national park is located in western region and is one of the small national parks in Uganda. Lake Mburo national park offers an amazing boat cruise with two sessions the morning boat cruise which starts at 8 am and the afternoon boat cruise which start at 2 pm. Boat cruise safari in Lake Mburo national park depart from Rwonyo jetty and gives visitors an opportunity to cruise close to the flora and wildlife animals such as the hippos, otters, crocodiles, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras and bird species like the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, hammerkop, malachite and pied kingfisher, blue-headed weaver, herons, pelicans, cormorants, African finfoot among others.

Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest fresh water lake in Uganda and the second deepest in Africa after Lake Tanganyika and the most beautiful lake located in Kabale district. The word Bunyonyi is in the local language and it means ‘small birds’ which implies that it was named Lake Bunyonyi due to the variety of bird species found in the area. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the safest freshwater lakes in Uganda in that it doesn’t harbor dangerous animals like crocodiles and hippos. Lake Bunyonyi is a great destination that harbors 29 islands where each island is made in its own size, shape and has a story to tell which is worth listening to. Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi is the most popular activity carried out on the lake and visitors who visit Lake Bunyonyi will be able to ride in a traditional dugout canoe. During your boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi you will be able to visit the islands, have great views of the hills, landscape, terraces, farmlands, local communities on the islands, watch school children paddling a dugout canoe going to school, have great views of some animals like zebras, waterbucks, impala on Kyahugye island, bird species like egrets, herons, slender-billed baglafetch, cardinal woodpecker, white tailed blue Monarc, grey crowned crane, African kingfisher among others. Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi can either be carried out in the morning, afternoon or a full day activity hence giving you interesting and memorable experiences on your safari in Uganda.

Boat cruise on Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the largest fresh water lake in Africa and also the second-largest in the whole world. Lake Victoria offers an interesting sunset boat cruise which starts from the waterfront pier and crosses to the equator like. The sunset is the best boat cruise safari on Lake Victoria and this activity starts at 4 or 5 pm and takes about 2 to 3 hours. During the sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria you will be able to view the landscapes, local villages, fishing villages where fishermen setting out their nets for the night, some of the 84 islands on the lake, animals species like otters, hippos and various bird species. Lake Victoria is an amazing destination for a boat cruise safari in that you will be able to relax, enjoy snacks and drinks on your sunset boat cruise as you watch the sun over the horizon.

Boat cruise on Lake Mutanda

Lake Mutanda is one of the small fresh water lakes in Uganda. Lake Mutanda is located in Kisoro district southwestern Uganda. Boat cruise on Lake Mutanda can be done in a traditional dugout canoe just like in lake Bunyonyi and it can either be done in the morning or in the afternoon though its best done in the morning because the water will be calm therefore navigation of the dugout canoe will be easy. Boat rides on Lake Mutanda offer great views of the landscapes, volcanic mountains such as Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabinyo. You will also be able to view the forest and wetlands around the lake, animal species like otters and bird species like grey crowned crane, pied and malachite kingfisher, cormorants, herons, weavers, sunbirds among others. Lake Mutanda is a great destination for canoeing in that it offers breathtaking experiences to visitors on a safari in Uganda.

When to go for boat cruise safari in Uganda

Boat cruise safari can be carried out anytime throughout the year though the best time is doing the dry season. The dry season in Uganda is also known as the peak season during the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season, there is less rainfall, therefore, boat cruise safari will be blessed with beautiful views of the animals which will be gathered along the water bodies to drink water and also clear views of the sunset and sundowner.

Tips for boat cruising safari in Uganda

Visitors should wear life jackets which will prevent them from drowning in case of an accident.
Visitors should avoid hanging over the side rails of the boat
Visitors should avoid drinking and smoking while on the boat cruising
There should be proper checkup of the boat so as to ensure that it’s in good conditions before starting to cruise.
The boat should be balanced both in front and at the back.
While cruising in a dugout canoe you should paddle on the opposite sides of the boat
Visitors should have some swimming skills
Visitors who do not know how to paddle should not go for canoeing alone

The boat cruise is a must-do activity on your safari in Uganda and can also be combined with other activities such as gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park, game drive in Murchison falls national park, chimpanzee trekking among others to make your safari exciting and unforgettable.