Boat ride trip safaris in Uganda

Boat rides are one of the special activities that visitors enjoy while on their safari to Uganda. The presence of the various lakes and Rivers including the longest river in the world (River Nile) provides a conducive environment for boat trips throughout the year. These boat trips are guided and there are trained people at each site to brief and take the visitors through the whole activity.

In Uganda, boat trips are commonly done on Lake Mburo, Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, River Nile and Kazinga channel. These trips are so adventurous in that a visitor can enjoy splendid views of nature, hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles and a wide variety of birds. These birds and mammals are seen on the banks of the water bodies. While on a boat trip, a visitor can do sport fishing and get to fish the Nile perch and tilapia (caught in Lake Mburo and the banks of River Nile). Another activity that comes with boat trips in Uganda is canoeing. This is mainly done at Lake Bunyonyi.

In 2013, Uganda was listed among the top 20 global tourism destinations by the National Graphic and boat trips are one of the key attractions that led to this development. This came after Uganda’s pride in 2012 when it was listed as the best travel destination for 2012 by the Lonely Planet. The recognition of the country promoted it in various countries which led to an increase in the number of tourists.

Boat trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kazinga channel)

While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a visitor can enjoy a breathtaking boat ride on the Kanzinga channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Here, boat rides normally set off every day at either 2:00 am in the morning or 2:00 pm in the afternoon (local time).This adventurous trip takes 2-6 hours and by the end, one must have witnessed the untouched beauty of water and different mammals along the channel.

Many visitors enjoy these boat trips while at the park as they kill stress and worries by looking at a wonderful nature. The trip also provides a chance to take some clear photos that include a true nature feel in the background. Kazinga channel harbors Hippos and its said to have the largest number Hippos in Africa. These Hippos are huge and an adult is estimated to weigh more than a fully loaded Land Cruiser. At Kazinga channel, these Hippos keep on the shores and in shallow waters since they cannot swim. They just keep under water and keep on bouncing in a specific pattern making it easier for viewing. The Hippos are best viewed while on a boat ride at Kazinga channel.

Apart from the Hippos, a visitor can view the crocodiles while on the same boat trip. These crocodiles keep on roaming about the shores and always move back into the water.

An afternoon boat ride is one of the most interesting activities while at Queen Elizabeth National Park as the visitor is exposed to great views of elephants, buffaloes and birds. Some nocturnal animals usually come to the shores for a drink in the afternoon making it easier for visitors to have a close glance at them.