Boat safaris in Uganda

Boat safaris in Uganda. Boat rides are one of the top activities that are carried out in Uganda and these are done in National Parks and other places that have water bodies. Boat rides in Uganda are mainly carried out along Lake Victoria, in Lake Mburo National Park, along Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi, along the River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park. These are the most common places where boat ride safaris are done, however, there are other places in the country where you can enjoy the boat rides.

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Boat rides on a safari are usually done as calming activities after strenuous safari activities like hiking, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, game drives and mountain climbing among others. Tourists get to enjoy the water while at the same time watching the wildlife. If boat ride safaris are one of the activities that you plan on adding to your itinerary, we are going to discuss where to go for boat rides in Uganda in this article, what to expect and what to bring.

Boat safaris along Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga channel is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and runs for over 32 kilometers linking Lake Edward to Lake George. It is one of the few places in Uganda where boat safaris are offered and this is considered to be one of the best ways in which tourists can enjoy the adventures offered in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tourists have a chance to spot the different wildlife that is found in the Park while at the same time enjoying the beautiful scenery. There are tow boat operators (Mweya Safari Lodge and Uganda Wildlife Authority) and they offer two boat trips, one in the morning and the other in the late afternoon. The first boat ride leaves at 11:00 am and the second leaves at 14:00 hours (2:00 pm).

The 2:00 pm boat ride is believed to provide better sightings of elephants especially during the dry season. Many of the wild animals move from their comfort zones to line up along the Kazinga Channel in search of water and to cool off during the dry season.

The boat rides take 2 hours each and they cost $30 per person giving tourists the opportunity to view a variety of wild animals which include buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, elephants, Uganda Kob, waterbucks, bushbucks and several bird species among others. Kazinga channel is home to over 100 bird species some of which include raptors, African mourning Dove, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Deidrick Cuckoo, Squire-tailed nightjar, Grey headed kingfisher, yellow-backed Weaver, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Lesser Masked Weaver, Pin-tailed Whydah and Red-chested sunbird among others.

As you prepare for boat rides along the Kazinga channel, make sure that you pack the appropriate gear and clothes for the best experience. Get in touch with us.

Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park

A boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park is one of the entertaining activities that are carried out along the River Nile. Murchison Falls National Park has two types of boat rides offered along River Nile and these are:

The Alberta Delta Launch cruise, also starts Paraa and slowly sails along the Nile waters to the stream where the river splits up forming various floating Islands which are made up of papyrus zones. While on the Delta Launch cruise, you will be able to see the famous Shoebill stork and other animals including hippos. This is the best boat trip to take for a sundowner since it is mainly carried out in the evening hours. Take time and enjoy the boat ride as you take photos of the beautiful sunset and the wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park.

The bottom of the falls boat cruise, is the most participated in boat ride and a link to the top of the famous Murchison Falls. The bottom of the falls boat ride starts from Paraa dock sailing towards to the falls and it goes through flocks of warthogs, numerous hippos, herds of elephants, crocodiles and several water bird species. This boat ride gives you an opportunity to take photos and record videos of the different wildlife and although the boat gets to the bottom of the falls, it does not reach the devil’s cauldron but you will have the best views of the falls. Take out your binoculars to see the surroundings of the falls and the park.

Boat safaris in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the most visited National Parks in Uganda and the smallest in the country located 240km from Kampala. The boat cruise along Lake Mburo starts early morning from Rwonnyo Jetty at around 8:00 am and it takes 2 hours taking you around the eastern banks of Lake Mburo. The beautiful scenery surrounding the Lake is worth the two hours and some of the animals that you get to see while on your boat ride include hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, antelopes, and otters and buffalo among others. Lake Mburo is also home to several bird species and these include egrets, shoebill storks, the African fish eagle, Narina trogon and African fin foot among others. The cost of the two hour boat cruise along Lake Mburo is $20 per person for foreign non-residents and 30,000UGX per person for Nationals. Note that the small boat has a capacity of 4 to 8 people although the price also depends on the capacity of the boat.

Boat safaris in Lake Bunyonyi

Boat rides along Lake Bunyonyi will help tourists experience the tranquility of Lake Bunyonyi National Park and its surroundings. Lake Bunyonyi offers a night canoe ride which is surrounded by crickets, nocturnal birds singing and cricket sounds plus the water makes the ride exciting.

Lake Bunyonyi, a freshwater body is the the deepest in Uganda and second on the Africa continent. The National Park is home to 200 bird species and over 29 Islands some of which include Kahungye, Bucuranuka, Bushara, Bwama and Njuyeera Island among others. The cost of the boat ride in Lake Bunyonyi is $30 per person for foreign residents and $30 for foreign non-residents. The boat cruise will take you to some of the beautiful islands like Kahungye Island where you get to see animals like zebras, Kob and crocodiles among others, and the punishment island.

Boat cruises along River Nile in Jinja

A river boat cruise in Jinja along the River Nile is one perfect to enjoy your safari as you wind down from the other hectic safari activities by spending hours relaxing and having great views of the Nile. There are a variety of boat cruises that are offered and these usually start from Bujagali taking you along the longest River in the world. It does not matter whether you are in a group or traveling solo, a boat cruise along River Nile will be the best way to end your safari in Uganda. This can be combined with other safari activities and these are hiking, white water rafting, sky diving, game drives, primate tracking and cultural trips among others.

Safety tips for boat rides in Uganda

Below are some of the safety tips you should consider as you plan for the boat ride safari in Uganda.

• You should be able to swim in case of an accident. It helps a lot when you have some swimming skills when going for a boat ride and although life jackets are provided, it is just a precaution to have some basic knowledge about swimming.
• Do not get on the boat if you are not provided with a life jacket. Life jackets are not decorative and fancy and can save your life so make sure that you have them all the time.
• Keep a good distance from the boat rails because you will be surrounded by dangerous wild animals. And in case of turbulence, the boat can shake and throw you off if you are close to the rails. Make sure that you stay in your seat at all times for the beautiful views.
• Follow all the rules and regulations that the boat captain and tour guide give you. The rules were set up for a reason and have to be followed at all times and do not try to stand up when the boat is on the move.
• Avoid jumping in the water when on the boat because there are animals like hippos and crocodiles. Stay within the designated boat area.
• Always stay calm and be cooperative in case of unexpected incidences. Cooperate with the crew and find solutions to the problem.

These are some of the rules and safety tips that have to be followed during a boat ride. But all in all, ensure that you enjoy your boat ride in Uganda. Contact us for more information.

What to pack for a boat safari in Uganda

The packing list for boat rides is almost similar to the normal safari packing list. Note that this is the final list of what you should bring but it helps you know what is necessary and you can easily add what you might think you need for your safari. Below is a list of items to bring for the boat safari in Uganda.

Documents: The documents that you need to pack for a boat safari in Uganda include:

• A valid passport and this is the most essential document. It has to be valid at least 6 months before traveling to Uganda.
• A yellow fever card, make sure that you get the full dose to be immune against the disease.
• A visa and can either be applied for online or when you get to the airport in Uganda. Tour operators can help you with applying for a tourist visa as well. There are East African visas that have been introduced and this takes you to countries Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
• Health insurance, there are so many companies that offer health and travel insurance and since you will be travelling to Uganda, you will need the insurance to keep safe in case of any calamities.
• Airline ticket, this is not part of the cost of the boat safari and tourists have to pay for it for themselves. Airline tickets need to be purchased in advance especially when it comes to the peak season.
• Carry photocopies of the necessary documents because these will be needed when clearing at the different entry points of Uganda.

Clothes: Clothes are essential and a necessity when it comes to boat safaris in Uganda. The right clothes depend on a number of factors which include other safari activities that are on your itinerary, and the number of days you plan on being on your safari. When packing, make sure that clothes packed come in neutral colors like brown, green and any other dull color, avoid camouflage, and color blue. Below are the types of clothes that you can bring on your boat safari to Uganda.

• Long-sleeved shirts and light-weight trousers (at least two pairs)
• Sweaters, ponchos and scarfs to keep warm
• Sneakers, hike boots and flip-flops.
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Sunglasses
• Sunhats
• Gloves and socks
• Gaiters

Gadgets: Some of the gadgets that are essential for your boat safaris include the following.

• A camera
• Binoculars
• A smart phone
• Adapters

Other essentials that have to be packed for the boat ride include sunscreen, insect repellent, a waterproof backpack, refillable water bottle, snacks, toiletries, first-aid kit and other personal property among others. Packing right for a boat safari ensures that you enjoy your tour without worry. Get in touch with us for more information.

When to go for boat safaris in Uganda

There is no right answer to this because any time is a good time to go for a boat safari in Uganda depending on your preferences and season of travel. When it comes to weather, the dry season is a good time to go for boat safaris because you get to watch a variety of the wildlife that is ever present along the banks and the wet season is good for watching both the bird species and wildlife.

Get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris to help you plan a boat safari to Uganda and the neighboring countries.