Where To Do Boat Safaris In Uganda And Rwanda

Where to do boat safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Despite Uganda being a landlocked country, according to statistics, about a fifth is covered by water. The Pearl of Africa has plenty of water activities and beautiful sceneries for those questing for water experience on Uganda safari. Boat safaris in Uganda range from magical launch trips to Lake Victoria and Lake Mburo, private sunset cruising on Lake Victoria, white water rafting, and Kayaking.

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Rwanda also has some water bodies where you can enjoy tranquility and feel the cool breeze in the land of a thousand hills. Lake Ihema is Akagera National Park offers you chances to boat safaris in Rwanda.

To enjoy the Uganda boat safaris to the fullest and relax on a boat trip to the freshwater lakes of Uganda, you need to book.

Where can I Do Boat safaris In Uganda

Launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park

The electrifying Murchison Falls is magical. These falls are in Murchison Falls National Park, bisected by the river Nile and the Largest Uganda wildlife conservation area. As described by Sir Samuel Baker on this visit, Murchison Falls is indeed the best spot in the River Nile course. The Murchison Falls result from Nile stumbling over a bed of rocks for about 80 kilometers, then squeeze through 6 meters wide gorge. The river Nile water vigorously bursts out to create a cloudy appearance.

During the launch trip to Murchison Falls, you enjoy the astounding views of Victoria Nile Banks, often dotted with several wild animals that come down to quench thirst. Birders can identify a variety of water birds that flock to the shoreline to feat on the freebies of the River Nile. In the water, you can spot schools of hippos and serried crocodiles that wait to catch prey. Enjoy the lush vegetation cover of mainly forest and swamp vegetation along the River Nile banks.

As you draw closer to Murchison Falls, you feel a change in the boat or launch turbulence as a foamy appearance on the water's surface finally emerges. Listen to the thundering sound as River Nile water staggers through the narrow bend, bursts out, and cascades down the 43-meter cliff to finally touch the rift valley floor. This moment is powerful and magical in that you get to appreciate the beauty of nature more. A rainbow may form right before your eyes on a clear day.

You can book the public launch or private boat for a boat safari to Murchison Falls.

Launch Trip On Kazinga Channel In Queen Elizabeth National Park

The launch trip on the Kazinga channel serves you various stunning features on the floor of Rift Valley. This breathtaking launch trip starts from the pier and then sails for about a 3-hour return trip. Along the way, you enjoy the gorgeous views on the floor of the rift valley look over for a variety of wild animals like lions, herds of buffaloes, herds of elephants, water bucks, and bushbucks that move down to quench thirst.

In the water, hippos and huge Nile crocodiles enjoy the green waters of the channel. The Kazinga Channel is a link between two lakes, Lake Edward and Lake George. A plethora of birds, both local and foreign species, grace the shoreline of the Kazinga Channel. The banks of Kazinga channel have a magnetic pull on a wide range of birds before they proceed to their destinations.

From the launch, you enjoy the best view of Rwenzori ranges that form the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth National Park. On a clear day, you may see the sparkling glaciers on this adorable mountain block.

A launch trip on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most interesting activity of this Park.

Boat Trip On Lake Mburo In Lake Mburo National Park

While in Lake Mburo National Park, a boat trip on Lake Mburo is epic. On this two-hour boat ride, you get to spot a number of hippos and huge Nile Crocodiles. Sometimes, you may spot local fishermen casting their nets, but this is done with permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The chances of spotting a number of water birds are high, like pelicans, herons, cormorants, fish eagles, shoebills, and others. This is a relaxing moment as you unwind and wind from the life hassles.

White Water Rafting On River Nile

Doing white water rafting on river Nile is a mixture of fun and testing of your persistence in hard situations of life. You do not have to have any experience in white water rafting, but experts are on the ground to take you through the procedures required before white water rafting.

Itanda Falls in River Nile is the white water rafting point where you get on a tube boat with other rafters wearing safety gear and peddling through the tough tides. An instructor with a Kayak leads the way to establish the magnitude of the flow of the water currents and then gives a sign for you to follow.

White water rafting has levels, and you can suggest where to stop, but note that the further you go, the heavier the tides and huddle you go through. If you are not interested in white water rafting in River Nile, you can do tubing or Kayaking.

Prior booking is required so the responsible authorities can arrange for you to do white water rafting. At Encounter Africa Safaris, our safari consultants are always ready to assist you with booking these Uganda safari activities.

Visit to the Source Of River Nile

Visiting the source of River Nile can only be done in Uganda. River Nile is the longest River in Africa going through Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt but its source is in Uganda on Lake Victoria Jinja. 

You must sail on a boat to the source of the River Nile, one of the main missions of several historical explorers. The mystery behind the source of the River Nile as it vigorously separates from calm Lake Victoria water is hard to explain. 

Along the way, you enjoy the cool breeze of the River Nile and its stunning evergreen vegetation at the shore.

Ssese Island Visit

If you are looking for tranquility where you will have nothing bothering you, visiting Ssese Island is a good deal in Uganda. To get there, you have to board a ferry and hire a speedboat or charter. The waters in Ssese Island are bilharzia so you can swim in them. The water is clear too and shallow. If you wish to enjoy a weekend getaway far from the capital, Kampala, Ssese Island is the ideal destination.

Boat trip on Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Uganda, located in southwestern Uganda. Like its local name, Bunyonyi, meaning small birds, the areas around it host a rich life of small birds. Lake Bunyonyi so far 29 Islands beautifully dotted in it, including the famous punishment Island. At the Punishment Island, girls who got pregnant out of wed-locks were abandoned there to die, and others would drawn as they tried to swim.

You can take part in a guided community walk to enjoy the local life of the people in this area. You can sail on the boat to these islands, enjoy zip lining and so much more. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi is relaxing and gives you a chance to discover your inner being.

Sunset Cruise On Lake Victoria

If you wish to enjoy an evening off, you can take a boat trip on Lake Victoria. You may watch the sun hide behind the horizon on a bright sunny day. You have to book the sunset cruise in advance, and in case you wish to add snacks to your package, you have to state that upfront so that arrangements can be made to your taste.

Bungee jumping on River Nile

Although you do not use a boat for bungee jumping, you can stimulate your adrenaline by jumping over a cliff hanging by a rope securely tied to your legs. As you touch the Rive Nile water surface, a boat awaits you at the bottom. This activity is not for the faint-hearted.

 Sports Fishing in Uganda.

While on Uganda safari, you can do sport fishing but must seek permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park on River Nile is the most sought-after by anglers. You need to hire a boat and boat captain to sail you to the designated sports fishing spots in Murchison Falls National Park. You must carry your fishing equipment just to be sure and feel comfortable. Some fish you may catch include Nile perch, tilapia, mudfish, catfish and others.

 With prior arrangements, you can also do sports fishing on Lake Victoria.

Where To Do Boat Safaris In Rwanda?

Rwanda is a fairly small country with fewer water bodies, but they use these to give tourists a feel of Rwanda waters while on Rwanda safari.

Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park is Rwanda's prime boat safari spot. While on a boat trip, you enjoy the stunning views of some of the elevated highlands that give Rwanda its name, the land of a thousand hills.

Watch out for a number of wild animals that love quenching thirst from the shores of Lake Ihema. Enjoy the water birds, hippos, crocodiles, and so much more.

What Else Can I Do On Safari In Uganda Or Rwanda?

Gorilla Trekking

Uganda and Rwanda are some of the only gorilla safari destinations in the world. The mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda are some of the few left over in the world and are listed among the most highly endangered primates in the world.

In Uganda, mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Currently, Uganda has 19 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation experience families.

Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park as its only gorilla safari destination. At the moment, 15 gorilla families are open to public booking. 

It would be best if you secured a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board to be allowed access to the gorilla safari destinations of either country.

Game drives

Uganda has a number of game parks where you can enjoy game drives in its National Parks. Some of Uganda's National parks include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and others. During the game drives, you may spot animals like lions, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, and waterbucks to mention but a few. Note that only some of the wild animals in Uganda can be seen in all the National Parks.

In Rwanda, game drives are in Akagera National Park, but this Park is still recovering from the post-tremors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, where most of these wild animals were killed and others fled. The Park is still rebuilding its former glory. While on a game drive in Akagera National Park, you may sport giraffes, waterbucks buffaloes, bushbucks, zebras, leopards, lions and others.

Chimpanzee safaris

Uganda is one of the top African primate destinations, and chimpanzees must be noticed while in Uganda. Currently, Uganda boasts a population of about 5000 chimpanzees living in different destinations in the country. Some of the Uganda chimpanzee safaris happen in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, etc. you can do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda.

Rwanda has Nyungwe National Park as its prime chimpanzee trekking destination. At the outskirts of this national Park is Cyamudondo, where another chimpanzee community is undergoing the habituation process. The chimpanzees in Rwanda are still under chimpanzee habituation so they are semi-habituated you may get some odd behaviors like going into hiding, but the ranger guides are there to calm the situation as long as you follow the rules of chimpanzee trekking.

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