BOAT CRUISE ON A UGANDA SAFARI TOUR

Safaris in Uganda usually include wildlife viewing, hiking the different mountains of the pearl, cultural encounters and birding expeditions. Uganda safaris are experienced on game drives, road trips, hiking and most of all on boat cruise safaris.

Boat cruises on a Uganda safari avail a relaxing way in which tourists, can explore the beautiful gems on the pearl.  A boat cruise safari take place on water bodies, Rivers, lakes and on water fall bases.  Boat safaris surely enhance the whole experience on a Uganda safari.

Where to do a boat cruise from

In Uganda, boat launches take place on Lake Victoria. The largest freshwater lake in Africa. River Nile the longest river in the world.  The Kazinga channel, a water link that joins Lake Edward and Gorge, and on Lake Mburo of western Uganda.

Most of the protected areas of Uganda, which are home to different wildlife game, are located near these water bodies. And for some of the water bodies are strategically found, inside the wildlife conservation areas of Uganda. The presence of the water bodies in these areas has enabled boat cruise safaris to take place.

Boat cruises on a Uganda safari; engage the tourists more with the beautiful panoramic view of the Uganda scenery.  Amazing wildlife species are sighted while on a boat cruise, on the water bodies that are found in the protected areas.

Murchison falls National Park is one the protected areas that engage tourists in the boat cruise experience. This national park is located at the areas where the Nile River meets Lake Albert. River Nile separates Murchison falls national park into the southern bank and northern bank. These two sides of the park can be accessed from the different gates found of the banks, depending of the movement of the tourists. These gates include Chobe gate, wankar gate, Tangi gate, Mubako gate, kichumbanyoba and Bugungu gate.

In Murchison falls national park, boat cruises are scheduled for morning  that  start from 8:00 for two hours and evening sun down that starts at 2:00pm. Boat launches in the park take place on the Nile. In Murchison, we have a boat launch to the bottom of the falls and the other at the Albert delta.

“Bottom of the falls boat” launch

This is the most preferred launch for tourists on a Uganda wildlife safaris in Murchison falls national park. The cruise sets off from Paraa docking area, and sail gently up stream to the bottom of Murchison falls. A view of the thunderous Murchison falls, the strongest water fall in the world, is a top highlight for the cruise.

A Number of wildlife species are viewed while sailing on the Nile River. These include; schools of hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and elephants quenching their thirst in the bank water and many more.  The cruise rewards a remarkable view of the falls, as the boat moves towards the Murchison falls.

The close distance to the bottom of the falls is limited, the boat doesn’t exceed to the “devils cauldron”. The falls base area is also good for sport fishing, with the Nile perch, Tilapia, cat fish, tiger, Electric cat fish and many more. Sport fishing can be engaged in while on a boat cruise in the Murchison falls national park.

A hike to the top of the falls can be another complimentary activity to the boat cruise on the Nile. The hike rewards beautiful aerial views of both Uhuru falls and Murchison falls. The hike to the top of the falls, engages view of small primates and fresh feels of the trails, as you climb and move to the top.  A refreshing feel at the top of the Murchison falls is truly an experience not to miss out. As you witness the Nile forcing into a small gorge to fall into the thunderous falls, with the water splashes cooling off the hike hit.

Albert delta boat cruise

The “sun downer” cruise a term used to refer to the Albert delta cruise. This is because of the fact that it is more preferred during the evening times while viewing the sunset. The Albert delta boat cruise sails downstream to the point where, the White Nile meets Lake Albert. The freshening cruise gives a chance to catch a glimpse of the phenomenal rare shoe bill stock.

Other mammals such as the warthogs, antelopes and water birds are sighted, while on the downstream launch.  The cruise starts from the Paraa dock with a smooth 2 to 3 hour sail along the waters of the Nile.

Kazinga channel boat cruise

A launch on the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park is another opportunity not to miss out while exploring the pearl. Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the protected areas in Uganda, hosting a range wide of wildlife in its savannah plains.

The Kazinga channel is a water channel 32 kilometers long, linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Lake George sources its’ waters from the Rwenzori ranges, and imputes into Lake Edward.

After a game drive though the savannah plain of Queen Elizabeth national park. An evening boat cruise on the Kazinga channel soothes the whole safari experience. The Kazinga channel attracts a number of wildlife species that are sighted while on a boat cruise.  The channel is known for hosting the largest population of hippos to cook off hot in the waters. The hippos, Nile crocodiles, water birds and other flora and fauna, are sighted at the channel.

Boat launch in Lake Mburo national park

A boat cruise in Lake Mburo national park  is one of the fascinating activities in the park besides the game drive, walking safaris, biking safaris and horse safaris. Lake Mburo national park is the smallest protected area of Uganda, preserving wildlife. With an area of only 260 kilometers, this limits the activities to be carried out in the park.

With the presence of Lake Mburo, this has enabled the practice of the boat cruise activity.  Boat rides in Lake Mburo national park; enable the view of numerous wildlife. The launch cruise starts from Rwonyo taking about 2 hours of sight-seeing around the lake.  The eastern bank of Lake Mburo is vast with wildlife such as the crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos and many more. Birds species such as the grey shoe bill stock, king fishers and fish eagles can be sighted while on a boat cruise safari.

Boat safaris in Uganda, are enchanting experiences.  These allow you to explore the beautiful gems of the pearl, from another interesting way. On a Uganda wildlife safari, a boat cruise activity should be included on every tourist’s adventure list, for a refreshing lifetime experience.