Water bodies occupy over 20% of Uganda’s total land mass which makes her one of the best Boat Cruise Tourism destinations in Africa featured by rivers, lakes and swamps.
Some of Uganda’s water bodies include the River Nile (Uganda’s largest river), R. katonga, R. Ssezibwa, R. Kagera, R. Rwizi and other small rivers. The lakes include; L. Victoria (uganda’s biggest lake), L. George, L. Mburo, L. Bunyonyi, L. Wamala and other small lakes.
Most of these water bodies over look several Game Parks in Uganda. A boat cruise is amazing and important because there are wildlife ventures that you may miss out on clearing seeing on some of your game park activities. And the only way to see them is by taking a Boat Cruise trip on a water body overlooking that National Park.
A Boat Cruise is one of the tourism activities that you shouldn’t ever miss out on any of your visits to Uganda for a spiced up tourism experience. This activity is mainly done on the following water bodies;
Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls also known as Kabalega Falls is a waterfall lying between Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert on the Victoria Nile. The Nile is the biggest river in Uganda so far accommodating the biggest number of boat cruises in Uganda because of its proximity size. The Nile is surrounded by a National Park called the Murchison Falls National Park in the Northwestern part of Uganda lying at the arm of the great African Rift Valley.
The boat cruise trip will go downstream to the Lake Victoria Delta stretching to the shores of River Albert while viewing a number of different bird species on both the river shores and the Murchison Falls National Park. some of the birds you will be able to see include the shoebill stork, Goliath heron, African fish eagle, kingfishers, the Uganda kob and so many more on your way as you stretch to the River Albert shores. Expect to also have a clear view of different water animals like the hippos, the crocodiles, buffalos and so many others.
On your boat cruise Trip, you will be able to have a clear view of the sunsets down/up the stream. You will as well be able to view the Murchison Falls National Park including some of the animals from the Park that come in search for food and water along the shores of the stream. Some of them include the elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos and others.
Note; There are 2 boat cruise shifts in a day on the Nile. The morning shift which kicks off at 9:00am and the evening shift that kicks off at 2:00pm. Each Trip goes up to 4-5hrs.
Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga Channel if found in Queen Elizabeth National Park connecting Lake Edward and Lake George in Uganda. Having a boat cruise trip on along this Channel is such an amazing tourism experience that would not wish to miss out on your trip in Uganda. This boat cruise trip along this Channel kicks off from the Mweya peninsular into Lake Edward lasting a duration of 2hours.
For bird lovers, come watch, experience and enjoy photogenic moments with over 60 bird species from both along the channel and Queen Elizabeth National Park as they are great spots for birds. It’s also a great opportunity to clearly sight different mammals from the Park that come along the channel shores in search for food, drinking water or cooling off after a long day. Some of these animals include elephants, hippos, antelopes and others.
Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo is situated in western Uganda with its Lake Mburo National Park (smallest National Park in Uganda). Small as this national park is, it is very rich in biodiversity. This lake is a home to Hippos, crocodiles, lizards, a variety of bird species and a number of animals from the park that come along the lake shores to get drinking water, food and cooling off.
Other boat cruise destinations in Uganda include Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda which offer you the best boat cruise safari experience.
What is the best time for a Boat Cruise Safari in Uganda?
There is no specific time for boat cruise Safaris in Uganda as it can be done all year round. The weather conditions in Uganda are very favorable thought the year. However, as Duiker Safaris, we recommend months January, February, June, July, August and December as there are always fewer rains and the National Parks situated at these water bodies are dry. This forces a number of animals in the park to crowd along the water bodies’ shores in search for food, drinking water and perhaps cooling off hence getting a clear view of the animals and the birds.
Note; Please don’t forget to carry your camera for great photographic moments.
For further inquiries, please feel free to contact Duiker Safaris through email or a direct phone call. You shall receive a reply within the shortest time possible!!