Uganda is a fantastic place for a boat safari, where you can enjoy watching savannah animals from the comfort of a houseboat. The country’s lakes and rivers attract many animals that come to drink water, and a boat safari is one of the best ways to see them up close. Unlike traditional safaris in Uganda, which use 4×4 vehicles or involve walking, boat safaris provide a more exciting way to see animals near water. From a boat, tourists can watch wildlife easily without having to go through thick bushes. You can enjoy a cool breeze coming off the water instead of kicked-up dust in your eyes, and you can rely on the onboard bathroom instead of scrambling to find a discrete spot in the bush. For wildlife lovers, Uganda has great chances to see animals from a boat. On a 2-3-hour boat cruise with 4X4 Africa safaris, you can relax with your Favorite drink as the covered boat moves quietly over the sparkling water, with only a few other boats around. The lack of big crowds makes it easier to spot amazing animals.
What is a Boat Safari?
A Boat Safari is a laid back, relaxing and one of the calmest ways to explore the wilderness and should be on your bucket list for things to do while on a safari in Uganda. Boat Safaris occur on the rivers and lakes located in both protected and non protected areas in Uganda making them popular because of the relaxation they offer combined with sightings of amazing wildlife, panoramic views and bird watching which is rewarding while on a boat cruise near the banks of the rivers or lakes.
Where to Go For a Boat Safari?
Most of the national parks in Uganda are near a water-body and have at least a water body flowing right through them giving you the opportunity to engage in boat safari while on tour as one of the best ways to enjoy the birdlife, wildlife and amazing landscape while on relaxing boat cruise. There are two popular boat cruises in Uganda and these include a Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a Boat cruise to the base of the fall in Murchison Falls National Park though they plenty more and they include:
Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
The Kazinga Channel is the longest and widest natural channel in Africa which connects Lakes Edward and Lake George is a key feature of queen Elizabeth national park located in Kasese district and a popular area for wildlife tourism rich in wildlife along this channel, you will find a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles and has the highest concentration of hippos in the whole world. You will enjoy great photographic moments as they come to the water’s edge to drink, cool off or search for food. The boat trip is 2 hours bring you closer and in contact with a lot to see including over 400 water bird species, buffalos, and elephants among others.
Boat Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is not only popular for its game drives but also offers boat safaris to the delta and or to the bottom of Victoria falls are truly rewarding as the boat brings you meters away from the thunderous Murchison falls offering you amazing views of the waterfalls. The park sits on the shore of lake Albert, in the northwest of Uganda. The boat climaxes at the base of the falls where river Nile waters squeeze through a narrow gorge as it falls down stream and to enjoy this experience better, one has to combine this boat cruises with a hike to the top of the falls. The boat sails through a number of hippo schools floating on water, herds of elephants showering on the river bank, a couple of Oribis, flocks of warthogs and others.
Boat Safaris in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo is a compact lake that offers a unique calm experience for those who choose a boat safari. Get the best on your lake Mburo boat safari, while encountering the wildlife rich eastern banks of the lake. During your boat launch keep an eye out for crocodiles, buffaloes and hippos as well as various birds, you won’t miss the colourful kingfishers, magnificent African fish eagles that usually occupy a particular tree with its partner, egrets, hammerkops and the prehistoric looking shoebill stork and their enormous nests, Boat voyages depart from Rwonyo jetty every two hours and usually last for 2 hours. The boat leaves at 8:00am 10:00am, 12:00PM, 2:00PM, 4:00PM and 5:00PM. However, the duration time can be negotiable due to less traffic at the park and the activity is done in two sessions in the morning and the afternoon.
Canoe Excursion on Lake Bunyonyi
With 29 Islands to explore on Lake Bunyonyi, the quaint Villages, forest, nature walks are all possibilities while here on a boat safari. Enjoy a dugout canoe with a guide and discover the world of Uganda’s magical Lake crossing it in an ancient like dugout Canoe. You will sail the stunning waters of lake Bunyonyi and pass by the countless islands, if you brave enough, you will even pass the punishment island, a place of real history that has mind blowing tale to go with it. Your captain will gladly tell you the story when you pass and if you a lucky enough you will spot an Africa Otter the native to the lake.
BOAT SAFARIS ON LAKE MUTANDA
Lake Mutanda is one of the most stunning lakes in Uganda and it’s surrounded by very beautiful landscape particularly very huge hills while it sits deep down in the valley. It has the highest number of islands compared to any other lake; some are really tiny islands while others are big enough to support human settlement as well as small scale gardening. While on Safari in Uganda this is among the recommended places to visit because the lake has very beautiful scenery which includes the Virunga Mountain peaks like Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga peak.
WHAT IS THE COST OF A BOAT SAFARI IN UGANDA?
The boat safari depends on whether you are using big or a small boat for short ride or long ride, the cost in each national park is different from both the national residents and foreign residents ranging from 30USD and above.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO FOR A BOAT SAFARI IN UGANDA?
Just like any Uganda safari, tourists planning on engaging in Boat cruise activities while on their safari in Uganda can choose to travel at any time of the year however, the dry season is considered to be the best time when people should plan to embark on boat cruise safaris and this is between months of June to September and from December to February. more so, this is considered to be the best time because there happens to be less rains that enables the daily programs of their launch trips go on successfully and also the grass vegetation within the surrounding is always short which helps to capture classic and clear views of the wildlife species within the surrounding.
CONCLUSION:
Uganda offers a fantastic experience for boat safaris, allowing you to see wildlife and enjoy beautiful scenery from the water. Whether you choose to explore Kazinga Channel, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Mabamba Wetland, or Lake Mutanda, each location provides unique views and wildlife sightings. A boat safari is not only relaxing but also an exciting way to connect with nature and observe animals up close.