Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise : The Kazinga Channel boat cruise is an exciting safari activity carried out in Queen Elizabeth national park.
During safaris in Queen Elizabeth national park, the Kazinga channel boat cruise provides a unique view of a wide variety of wildlife species which include hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffalos, and numerous bird species.
Kazinga channel is formed where Lake George connects with Lake Edward and the boat cruise along the Kazinga takes about 2 hours and is operated by the locals from the surrounding fishing communities and some of the boats are operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Boat safaris on the Kazinga channel can be done in the morning and also in the afternoon during safaris around Queen Elizabeth national park. The boats carry different capacities of passengers and can also be private boat tours or shared excursions.
The lush vegetation around the Kazinga channel is not only home to different wildlife species but also over 60 species of birds can be spotted along the water shores. Some of the birds which can be seen around Kazinga area include the Fish eagles, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet chested sunbird, African Skimmer, Yellow Billed Stork, Goliath Heron, Malachite Kingfisher and many other water birds.
The boat cruise offers a relaxing experience to appreciate the landscape of the area while enjoying close encounters with wildlife. Boat rides on the Kazinga channel offers amazing game viewing experiences and tourists can also see wildlife along the water shores where they gather to drink.
Best Time for Kazinga Boat Cruise
The best time for a Kazinga boat cruise is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to September and December to February. During these months, the water levels are lower, and wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park congregates around the shores of the Kazinga Channel in search of water, making it an ideal time for wildlife viewing.
The dry season also has pleasant weather conditions with less rainfall, enhancing the overall experience of the boat cruise along the Kazinga channel.
Cost of Kazinga channel boat cruise
The price of the Kazinga channel boat cruise is 30 USD for foreign nonresidents, 25 USD for foreign residents and 30,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
For combined wildlife tours around Queen Elizabeth national park and boat rides on the Kazinga channel, tourists are also charged park entrance fees for the national park which is 40 USD for foreign nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africa and this fee is valid for 24 hours from the time of entering the park.
Other activities to do around Queen Elizabeth national park
There are different activities which are carried out around Queen Elizabeth national park apart from boat rides on the Kazinga channel and they include the following;
Game drives
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park offer visitors the opportunity to encounter different wildlife species in the savannah plains and other habitats around the destination.
Visitors can opt for morning game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park, which provide the opportunity to see the different wildlife species such as lions, elephants, buffalos, antelopes among others begin their day since they are very active during this time of day.
Afternoon game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park offer a different perspective to enjoy views around the park clearly, with the chance to see other wildlife species including predators like lions and leopards becoming more active as they prepare to hunt their prey.
Additionally, full day game drives can also be done around Queen Elizabeth national park for tourists who wish to explore more of the national park and search for the various wildlife species for a longer period of time.
Queen Elizabeth national park is home to an impressive variety of wildlife species including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, hippos, impalas, waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs, hartebeests among other species of antelope.
The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park is particularly famous for its tree climbing lions, which can often be spotted during game drives.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge:
Tourists can also engage in chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge during tours around Queen Elizabeth national park.
Kyambura gorge is home to habituated chimpanzees and guided treks offer a chance to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura gorge involves hiking through the gorge while searching for the chimpanzees and getting an opportunity to observe them from a safe distance, enjoying an up-close encounter with the chimpanzees for about 1 hour.
The Chimpanzee tracking experience in Kyambura Gorge is typically done during the morning at around 07:00 am and afternoon hours around 02:00 pm. Visitors during the trek are accompanied by experienced guides who lead them through the dense vegetation of the gorge in search of the chimpanzees.
Guided nature Walks and Hiking
There are several nature trails and hiking opportunities around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visitors can explore the different parts of the national park such as Maramagambo Forest, Mweya Peninsula, and Ishasha area during game viewing.
The guided nature walks provide a chance to encounter various flora and fauna while enjoying the scenic beauty of the park closely.
Hiking in Kyambura Gorge offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors to trek through the gorge and explore steep slopes and dense vegetation, adding an element of adventure to the hike.
Cultural Encounters:
For those interested in cultural experiences around Queen Elizabeth national park, visiting nearby communities and engaging in cultural encounters can be arranged.
Cultural tours involve interactions with local communities, learning about traditional practices, and experiencing local dances and music.
Bird Watching:
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a savannah park with over 600 bird species recorded within its surroundings.
During bird watching, tourists can explore the diverse habitats within Queen Elizabeth national park and spot various bird species including Black Billed Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Black Coucal, Plain Nightjar, Little Swift, Red chested Flufftail, African crake, Gray crowned crane, Black Bellied plover, Crowned Lapwing among others.
Visit Queen Elizabeth national park and enjoy boat safaris along the Kazinga channel.
