What To See On A Boat Cruise On Lake Victoria

What To See On A Boat Cruise On Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria, which is a fresh water lake share amongst Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Taking a boat ride on Lake Victoria is refreshing as you get to enjoy the cool breeze of this fresh water lake. When you take a boat ride on Lake Victoria some of the amazing things you may get chance to see and experience include the cool breeze, scenic viewing, chimpanzees viewing, visit fishing villages, sports fishing, beach activities, sun downer and others.

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Lake Victoria is the largest fresh water lake in Africa hosting a number of aquatic life. Other than the lake inhabitants, when you take the boat trip and look over the banks of Lake Victoria, there is much to see including the amazing features and others. The source of River Nile is Lake Victoria and this can be reached when you embark on boat trip to this point where the water evidently separates.

What to do and see on Boat Cruise on lake Victoria

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

From the pier in Entebbe, you can catch a boat to Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary where chimpanzees are having a second home. The chimpanzees in Ngamba Island were rescued from snares, orphaned, abandoned and cannot return back to there community and much more.

The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary is part of Koome Island in Lake Victoria. The management of this chimpanzee sanctuary is under the CSWCT care that is Jane Goodall care. By sailing to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary and participate in activities there including feeding the chimpanzees, keeper for the day, chimpanzee up close, you get the chance to spend time with chimpanzees which are human close relatives. The money collected as entrance fees at the Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary is used to support the running of activities at this conservation center.

Two chimpanzee view sessions are organised every day at Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary that is morning and afternoon.

Sundowner on Lake Victoria

Watch the sun cast its rays on the surface of Lake Victoria during the boat cruise. It is a relaxing moment and refreshing too especially when you include some treats. Advance booking is required so that all necessary arrangements can be made in advance.

Source of River Nile

During the boat trip on Lake Victoria especially when in Jinja, you can visit the source of River Nile. The spot where River Nile separates from Lake Victoria has a mysterious appearance of a Zigzag line that appears to emerge from underneath. The River Nile water appears to be in a rush as though it has to catch up with its journey while Lake Victoria water appear to be calm as though showing off that it isn’t in a rush.

The Fishing Villages around lake Victoria

The fishing villages around lake Victoria are worth visiting to get a chance to know generally how life is like including where they sell their catch, how the fisher men clean the nets, heath care of the people at the fishing villages and others. You may get the chance to see a variety of fish species that inhibit lake Victoria. Some of the fishing villages around lake Victoria include Kasensero, Kasenyi, Gabba and others.

At these fishing village, you have the chance to spend time with the locals.

During the boat cruise, you may get the chance to watch the fisher men on the Lake as they cast there nets.

Lake Victoria

The boat cruise on lake Victoria gives you chance to enjoy the cool breeze off this amazing lake. Lake Victoria is a beautiful lake and a unique freshwater lake in Africa. Even though Uganda is land locked. The presence of Lake Victoria is a great substitute where most creation activities done on larger water bodies can be done.

Lake Victoria is locally known as Nalubale but the name Victoria was given by the explorer after Queen Victoria of England then. The formation of Lake Victoria is unique too that is down warping as a geographical study.

Scenic Viewing On Lake Victoria

From the boat cruise, you can enjoy the view of vegetation around lake Victoria which has ever green vegetation including the swampy areas, forest cover and much more. There also rock outcrops especially at the banks of Lake Victoria which look amazing and wonderful photography or filming locations.

Bird watching during the boat cruise on lake Victoria

The rich birdlife around lake Victoria is amazing to watch during the boat cruise. The banks and swampy areas around lake Victoria are often flocked by an array of birds from many areas. A boat trip to Mabamba swamp as part of Lake Victoria may offer you chance to spot the shoebill stork, saddles billed stork, fin foot, kingfishers and others.

Islands Tour In Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria has several Islands worth visiting but one of the easiest ways to get to them is embarking on a boat cruise. Some of the notable islands worth visiting in Lake Victoria include Ssese Island and spot of tranquility and calmness, Bulago Island, Musambwa Island and many others. Note that you need to be mindful of the guidelines of some of these Islands so that you do not get shocked when on ground.

Is A Boat Cruise On Lake Victoria Worth The Money And Time

When you embark on a boat cruise tour to different areas of Lake Victoria, open your mind to its amazing features. The tour may not take one day or two but have enough time and resources to support your adventure.

It is best to communicate with the authorities that manage the security of those on Lake Victoria before setting off so that in case you need assistance, you can be traced. When you decide to visit the fishing villages around lake Victoria, you can offer the locals some support because majority are out of service for some basics that can be accessed on the main land including medical care, education and others.       

In case you are tired of the usual on ground tour activities in Uganda, you can take the special boat cruise however ensure to buckle up your safety gears when on board.

When you engage in the boat cruise on lake Victoria, you support the locals who run these boats and so promote their livelihood.

How much is a boat cruise on lake Victoria

The cost of the boat cruise on lake Victoria varies with where you are destined too. The activities and time to take on this late contribute to the cost to be charged. In case you wish to do a sundowner during the boat cruise on lake Victoria, you may decide to include snacks on board and these also have a different cost which can be discussed. Use the assistance of our professional safari consultants to tailor an Itinerary that includes the activities you wish to be part of during the boat cruise.  

You may decide to use a private boat cruise or the public vessels that depart the main land to the different Islands in Lake Victoria but you need to report to the landing site in advance especially for the public water transport.

How safe is lake Victoria During the boat Cruise

The boat cruise on lake Victoria are safe especially those under government maintenance especially ferries however, even arranging private boat trips is open and safe. Ensure to abide by the guidelines of the boat captain when on Lake Victoria and avoid taking anything that may compromise your sense of judgement. 

Sometimes the lake may get rough when on the boat trip but ensure to wear your safety gears well. Do not overlook the guidelines of the boat captain as these are meant to ensure that you are safe.

Try not to swim in the deeper ends of Lake Victoria especially if you are not a professional swimmer. Don’t compromise your safety by hiring a boat in poor condition or with a captain with no experience that is known to you for the sake of the lower costs.

It better not to attempt Lake Victoria in case there is hope for a heavy down pour especially if you are to visit places that are located deep in the lake far away from the main land.

How Long Is The Boat Cruise On Lake Victoria

The time to take on the boat cruise on lake Victoria varies with the activities to engage in. There are options of excursions or overnight. The time to take on boat cruise at Lake Victoria varies with distance to cover too. Having some level of patience and opening your mind to the interesting features around Lake Victoria may provide a better chance to enjoy the adventure.

When is the best time to do a boat cruise on lake Victoria

Even though the boat cruise adventures on lake Victoria are open all year, the dry season is preferred. The dry season which is normally June to September and December to January are normal offer great conditions that favor safe sailing even though changes in weather can be experienced any time.

In case you wish to visit the source of River Nile, the dramatic appearance at this point is more visible in the dry season when the water currents are not disturbed by water from other inlets.

Note that the dry season includes holiday seasons in Uganda where more people especially the locals are expected to enjoy the holidays. Be sure to that you may share the same space with more people. Those who enjoy birding, can get a better chance to do this during the boat cruise on lake Victoria during the dry season as they flock the banks of this lake to collect its free supplies. Other spend time on the swamps around the lake areas.

The wet season that is March to May or November may not be great timing for organizing a boat cruise on lake Victoria. This is because heavy winds are expected on the lake and it may fall almost the entire day, however this shouldn’t stop you completely from trying other on-land activities around Lake Victoria.

Organizing a boat trip on Lake Victoria during the wet season must be with a professional and use a well maintained vessel that may with stand conditions on the lake. Where you need to break the journey do so and donot insist on carrying on for your safety.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our team.