Boat Cruising in Uganda: The Perfect Addition to Your African Safari
Your safari itinerary already involves several exotic destinations, including Uganda’s national parks and game reserves such as Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. But you don’t want your trip to be confined to just land adventures; you also want some water-based fun as well! In this article, we will explore ways of incorporating boating into your African safari experience, along with some of the best places to do it in Uganda.
What to Expect While Boat Cruising
Boat cruising on any of Uganda's waterbodies brings you closer to wildlife, mammals, and birds. You will be able to spot water birds like herons, pelicans, spoonbills, geese and ducks from the boat. A boat cruise is a perfect way to get up close with Uganda's nature. For photography lovers, it is an opportunity for them to take some breathtaking shots of animals and the lush greens. From massive pools of hippos to the Nile crocodiles basking into the sun on the Nile river, you don't want to miss an opportunity to be this close to the African Wildlife.
What to Pack for a Day of Boat Cruising
Pack your binoculars, snacks, camera, lenses and chilled drinks as you go cruising on Safari. You will be able to get a glimpse of some of the native wildlife such as water birds and even elephants from the boat. For perfect sundowner experience, a chilled drink would be an ideal compliment. Lake Victoria is the perfect place to catch your sundowner. Travelers have to wear a life jacket to prevent them from drowning in case an accident happens, it is recommended that travelers should have some swimming skills, they should avoid leaning on the sides of the boat, travelers should keep themselves from smoking while on a boat cruise ride, the boat should properly balance both in the front and behind to avoid accidents and boat should not be over crowed thus it should carry the maximum capacity among others that will be told on the briefing before a boat cruise experience.
The Best Time to Go Boat Cruising
Boat cruising while on Safari is the perfect addition to your itinerary, however cruising on some water bodies such as Lake Mutanda the best time of the day to go cruising is in the morning when the waters are still calm and easy to navigate. Just like any Uganda safari, the boat cruise safari can be done any time of the year however the recommended season is during the dry season when the rain is little during the months of June to mid-October, December to February.
Where to Boat Cruise in Uganda
Boat cruise tours can be done in very many parts of the Uganda in the fresh waters of the river and lakes that are situated in different areas of her mother-land. Some of these places include Lake Mburo National park, Lake Victoria the second largest lake in the world, Lake Bunyonyi the deepest lake in Africa, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park, at the source of the Nile, the Albertine Nile in Murchison fall national park and many more other places.
A boat cruise safari in Uganda guarantees travelers spectacular scenic beauty of the lush green mountains surrounding the rivers and lakes, the African wildlife in the jungle such as crocodiles, hippos, elephants, bird species among others as well as the nearby communities and villages. The boat adventure can be customized together or organized together with other Uganda safari activities such as Wildlife game viewing, chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura gorge of Queen Elizabeth national park and in Budongo forest part of Murchison fall national park, Tree climbing lion observing experience, Gorilla trekking experience, Bird watching safaris, nature walks, walking Safaris among others.
Boat cruise on Kazinga channel: the channel is found in Queen Elizabeth national park & connects lakes George and Edward, the boat cruise on Kazinga channel offers the best boat adventure experiences that will offer dramatic sceneries of the National park, wildlife species such as hippos, elephants, crocodiles antelope, large herds of buffalos, and bird species such as the king fisher, African mourning bird, black bee eaters, fish eagle among others. The boat cruise on Kazinga channel will offer an insight into the local fisher men's lives, you'll see fishermen with their nets on the shores ready to set off for night fishing.
Boat cruise on the Nile river in Murchison Falls National Park: this will give you a ride to the top of the Murchison falls and the Nile delta of the Albert Nile, the experience will reward you with breathtaking views of the world's most powerful waterfalls, exceptional wildlife encounters with animals such as Rothschild giraffes, antelopes, elephants, herds of buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, hippos and several more. Murchison falls National Park has two boat experiences; the Nile delta boat cruise and top of the falls cruise which can be done both in the morning and in the evening hours.
Tips for a Successful Boat Cruise
1. Here are some tips as you set out for a boat cruise while on Safari
2. Wearing a life jacket will keep visitors from drowning in the event of an accident.
3. Visitors should refrain from clinging to the boat's side rails.
5. Visitors should refrain from consuming alcohol and smoking when out cruising on boat.
6. Before setting out on a trip, the boat needs to undergo a thorough inspection to make sure it is in good shape.
7. Both the front and the back of the boat should be balanced.
8. You should paddle on the opposite sides when cruising in a dugout canoe.
9. Visitors should be capable swimmers.
10. Visitors should not go canoeing alone if they do not know how to paddle.
On your safari in Uganda, the boat tour is a must-do activity that can also be paired with kayaking, Spot fishing or bird watching. Boat cruises are available around Lake Victoria near Entebbe (about 1 hour away), Queen Elizabeth National Park near Kasese and Murchison Falls National Park near Jinja (about 4 hours away). Boat tours are available all year round so there is no excuse for missing out on this experience! If you have been dreaming of going on a boat cruise while visiting Africa then you needn't wait any longer because here at Sail Adventures Safaris Uganda, we offer tailor-made Safaris that combine adventure activities such as wildlife safaris, birdwatching, walking safaris and more with boat cruises!