Canoeing and Kayaking destinations on a Uganda Safari : Explore the peaceful waterways of Uganda as well as the amazing wildlife living in and along its water waves. The country has several lakes, rivers and wetlands, which cover approximately 18% of the country’s total surface area. Among the most outstanding is Lake Victoria one of the largest freshwater lakes on the continent and River Nile, which is the longest river in the world.
You will be able to enjoy canoeing as well as Kayaking on the water sources in the different parts of the country on your safari in Uganda.
Best Canoeing and Kayaking destinations on a Uganda Safari
Ssese Islands
The Ssese islands offer the perfect water for kayaking, canoeing, or even a simple boat ride. The waters are clear and fresh. There are alot of the resorts and hotels next to the islands are in charge of organizing canoe and kayak excursions however, the boats and canoes do not come free though. Visitors are charged a small fee to use their equipment for an agreed amount of time. This makes ssese islands among the top Canoeing and Kayaking destinations on a Uganda Safari
Mabamba Swamp
In Uganda, the secretive Shoebill Storks’ native habitat is Mabamba swamp and most bird watching experiences are done on a canoe navigating lily pads and papyrus swamp-lined canals.
Mabamba Swamp is a vast marsh that extends through a long, narrow bay and is bordered by papyrus as it moves towards the western portion of Lake Victoria. After that, a local guide will take you in a native fishing boat or canoe to the swamp. Only three birders can fit in each canoe (excluding the guide and boat driver). At their small office, you must first pay a community fee of roughly about $35 was spent on the boat and the guide.
Since many of the boats lack life jackets, you must either maneuver while wearing one or ask for one. These boats’ operators and birding tour guides are natives of the neighborhood. You support the neighborhood and aid with the preservation of the wetland’s wildlife by paying for their services.
Lake Mutanda
To enjoy the beauty of Lake Mutanda and the rich culture of the locals staying nearby, you must visit the lake and take a canoe ride and kayaking on the lake. You can rent dugout boats and explore the lake’s interesting islands on your own, or you can go on a trip with a local guide who will show you how people live there. A dugout canoe trip around this magnificent lake will be an amazing adventure! Select between a canoe trip in the early morning or at sunrise and sail in the evening or sunset.
Lake Bunyonyi
The lake is located in south-western Uganda with in Kabale district and the lake gets its name from the small birds that live in that area. This lake is the deepest in Uganda and is stable throughout the year since it has a few waves. This lake is the only one were you can ride a canoe to visit all the 29 islands on this lake including the floating Island and the punishment Island where the young girls who got pregnant before marriage would be dumped and left to die. Each of the Island has its own history attached to it so you will have your 2-hour canoe ride with the best guide who will reward you with this history. There are also many activities that are carried out around Lake Bunyonyi that include; the birding tours, the hiking hills, home stays, nature walks, cultural adventures to experience the true bakiga homes.
A canoe ride is a memorable journey on a scenic lake Bunyonyi, this lake in south west Uganda is also one of the loveliest places in Uganda. Many people come to this place to relax and also chill out after a day or two of gorilla trekking, could be volcanic climbing or it could be a day before the safari in Uganda.
Semiliki Wildlife Reserve
The Semliki Wildlife Reserve is situated in a stunning rift valley between Lake Albert, the Kijura escarpment, and the Rwenzori mountains. Open acacia-combretum woodland and grassy savannah make up the bulk of the vegetation, with patches of Borassus palm forest, sizable belts of riparian woodland along the major watercourses, and some sizable wetlands in the direction of Lake Albert interspersed.
These offer the best kayaking and canoeing places in Uganda, especially around Lake Albert. You may see rare birds like the Shoebills, African Pygmy Goose, Blue-breasted and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, and Blue-headed Coucal.
Katonga Reserve plus various other areas along the Lake Victoria shores
Katonga Wildlife Reserve in Uganda is one of the most adored and smallest reserves with unique features. Despite being one of Uganda’s smaller reserves, Katonga Wildlife Reserve may truly provide you with an experience you will never forget.
The 1998 establishment of the wildlife reserve makes it a more recent addition to Uganda’s list of protected wildlife habitats. The reserve is best explored on foot or by canoe; it is home to more than 40 species of mammal and more than 150 species of bird. Many of the animals, birds, and plant species found in the reserve are unique to its wetland habitat.
Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Baikal. Lake Victoria is also known as “Victoria Nyanza.” The lake was dubbed Lake Victoria after Queen Victoria by the explorer John Hanning Speke, the first British to record it.
This vast body of water, which shares a border with Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, stretches into the distance and seems more of a sea than a lake. The must-do activities on the shores of Lake Victoria include canoeing and kayaking. Imagine doing these on the largest lake in Africa. You could spend some time canoeing across Lake Victoria while taking in the breathtaking shoreline with its incredible diversity of bird species and breathtaking scenery.
Best time for Canoeing in Uganda
Uganda experiences various seasons throughout the year. From March to May and from October to December it receives heavy rains. Then from late December to February as well as from June to August is the Dry season. However, the best time to enjoy canoeing on your safari in Uganda is during the dry season.
In summary, the above are the best Canoeing and Kayaking destinations on a Uganda Safari