Boat Safari in Uganda National Parks, water trip in Africa
Boat trips in Uganda are considered one of the most adventurous activities taken by tourists to Uganda’s different national parks and other tourist destinations that offer the activity. With Uganda being one of the countries with various attractions, gorilla trekking or habituation experience can be combined with a boat cruise either on the Nile, Kazinga channel, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo and River Nile.
Boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park
Boat Safari in Uganda and Murchison falls national park is considered Uganda’s largest park with the most powerful waterfall along the River Nile. Most tourists to Murchison falls national park usually prefer viewing the magnificent falls through taking a boat cruise downstream. During the cruise to the falls, tourists are also rewarded with opportunities of viewing a variety of wildlife, birds as well as the beautiful sunrise and sunsets. During a boat cruise on the Nile, there is a specific point where all the boats stop and tourists are treated to the thunderous roar of the mighty falls and here you are rewarded with opportunities of taking good photographs of both the waterfall and the beautiful scenery of the surroundings.
Who is responsible for the cruises on the Nile?
Boat cruises are conducted in Murchison falls national park by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and also private boat cruises by Wild Frontiers and Para safari also operates boat cruises. These cruises are scheduled for both morning and afternoon. The afternoon boat cruise is one of the most highly recommended ones because you are rewarded with opportunities of seeing a lot of animals that graze along the Nile as well as crocodiles that come out of the waters to the river bank for sunbathing.
Cruises by Wild Frontiers – Waterfall boat Cruises
The boat starts from Paraa on the South bank and is conducted twice a day that is morning at 8:30am, mid-morning at 11:00am, afternoon at 2:30pm. Waterfall cruises are also arranged and depart at 3:30pm and these are subjected to minimum numbers. The boat trip can be conducted at USD35 per person.
River Excursions
River excursions are organised at a rate of USD270 per boat depending on the capacity and timing. Stopovers can be made as you get to see and enjoy beautiful views of the Nile.
Sport fishing together with bird watching can be done during this river excursion.
Private Waterfall cruise – Boat Safari in Uganda
During this waterfall cruise, tourists are rewarded with opportunities of watching large resident populations of hippos and crocodiles together with other animals grazing on the shores of the Nile River. It also goes up to USD270 per boat and also depends on the timing and the pickup point. This is also one of the best chances to spot waterbirds along the way. Boat cruises are also conducted uniquely on the Nile in a way that you can leave the boat at pajao gorge and hike to the top of the falls as you view the thunderous roar and later you can be returned back to the lodge by use of the vehicle.
Kazinga Channel Launch Trip
Due to the fact that Kazinga channel is divided into the Northern and southern bank, the channel connects both Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel both attracts and harbors wildlife and is a source of income to the surrounding local communities in a way that they use it for home use as well as fish which is sold to both local communities and other tourists visiting the area. During a visit to Queen Elizabeth, Kazinga channel boat cruise is a must not miss because during the cruise you will be rewarded with opportunities of seeing a lot of animals that come out of the bush to graze on the shores of the lake. Kazinga channel boat cruise is also considered one of the best cruises in Africa because of its uniqueness.
Boat Safari in Uganda
The two-hour boat cruise allows you to enjoy the spectacular views of the surroundings. Boat trips can be done on two different spots that is either from Katunguru using a local wooden motorized boat while another one is at the Mweya peninsular near Mweya safari lodge and the boat trips can be provided by either Mweya safari lodge or the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The boat trips begin at exactly 11:00am-01:00pm for the morning schedule and 2pm-5:00pm for the evening respectively. During the mid-morning boat cruise, this is the best opportunity for the bird watchers and different birds to watch include African skimmer, African Jacana, Egyptian goose, Yellow billed stork, Pied kingfisher, Spur Winged Lapwig, Cormorants, Grey heron, Goliath heron and white cattle egrets among others. The Kazinga channel is a hub for thousands of hippos and crocodiles. Kazinga channel is considered as an area with the highest population of hippos in Africa.
Boat cruise on Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo national park is one of the smallest national parks and also the closest to Entebbe international airport. It is considered a unique destination offering the boat cruise activity and this helps you to wind your day in a Special way. During this boat ride, you can see a lot of animals for example antelopes, zebras, buffalos, leopards and a variety of birds for example Pelicans, African Fin Foot, African fish eagle and Cormorant among others.
Lake Mburo national park is also known to be one of the parks with the largest population of zebras in Uganda, also known as the only park in Uganda with eland, klipspringer and impala. Despite the park being the smallest, it gives you the opportunity to explore beyond the unknown. Local communities around Lake Mburo national park have benefited in a way that 20% of the revenue is spent on the construction of roads, hospitals and schools.The boat cruise can be paid directly by booking with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or booked on arrival before the activity on the lake.
Boat cruises on Lake Mburo usually take place between 9am-5pm daily and each cruise lasts for two hours respectively. Lake Mburo national park can be visited all year round thought the most recommended months of the year to visit is during the dry season that is May-September, and December-March. During this time of the year, most animals come along the shores of the lake for water and others can be well observed during the boat cruise.
Accessing Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo national park can be accessed by the use of either road or air. It takes 4 hours drive from Entebbe international airport, Lake Mburo can be access by air from the airport to Mbarara airfield and it take 45 minutes’ drive to the park. The park gate close at 7 pm in the evening and get open at 7 AM in the morning.
