Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Wildlife Safari Tour, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
While you’re in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda, it would be a mistake not to do a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, a 20-mile-long shallow river that flows between Lake George and Lake Edward. Animals of all shapes and sizes come down to the water’s edge to drink and bathe, so on any given day, you’re guaranteed to see everything from elephants, hippos, and buffalos, to – if you’re lucky – a pride of lions.
The beauty of wildlife spotting by boat is that the animals don’t seem to be bothered by its presence, meaning you can get much closer than you might be able to by car. On a sunny day, a lazy boat journey down any river is a wonderful thing, but when you add in more wildlife than you’ll have room for on your memory card, this particular journey becomes one of the best tourist attractions in Uganda.
Kazinga Channel boat trips last two hours, cost around $30 per person, and are done in shifts between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each cruise lasts for two hours and starts from a landing site near Mweya Safari Lodge. There are two boat options available for visitors – One can use the smaller but more expensive boat owned by Mweya Safari Lodge or the double-decker boat owned by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The boat owned by Mweya Safari Lodge is more comfortable and suitable for those who wish to have a more private cruise. There is also the stylish twelve-seater boat, the Kingfisher. All vessels have experienced guides and crew, but the Kingfisher allows you to travel in luxury, providing refreshments and canopies to protect you from the sun.
The main tourist attraction at Kazinga Channel is the large school of Hippos. The stream is termed the Kazinga Channel hippo paradise because it is where the highest concentration of Hippos in the world is found (around 2,000) and countless Nile crocodiles. In addition, a large number of antelopes like the Waterbuck as well as the Uganda Kob also come here to quench their thirst.
The Kazinga Channel is also one of the best birding spots in Uganda with over 150 species like the African Shoebill, African skimmers, Black bee-eaters, Black Crake, Crested Crane, Darters, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Jacana, Marabou Stork, Open-Billed Stork, Pink-backed pelicans, and Saddle Bill among others.
The Kazinga Channel also accommodates both man and animal and it is such a phenomenon to witness, man and beast side by side. You will see the Katunguru fishing village and watch as local people utilize the channel unbothered by the hippos and crocodiles a few meters away.
Best time to visit Kazinga Channel Wildlife, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
The best time to visit the Kazinga Channel is during the dry season. During this time the channel becomes an oasis that gathers even more park and domestic animals – all relying on the water to drink, cool off, and feed. It is important to go for a boat cruise with a good camera to take good photos of the animals and water, and the best time to take photos is in the late afternoon.
Access to Kazinga Channel.
Kazinga Channel is accessible by road and air. The most common route is the 309 km (192 mi) smooth-surfaced road from Kampala. The 6- to 8-hour drive takes you through Masaka, Mbarara, and Bushenyi. Alternatively, you can use Route A109 on a 400-kilometer (248-mile) Fort Portal-Kasese road, which takes 6-8 hours.
If you prefer to fly, you can take a regional scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip or Mweya Airstrip, which takes about 1.5 hours. If you fly to Kasese, you'll have to drive 40 km (30 mins) to Kazinga Channel, while Mweya Airstrip is just a few minutes away.
Accommodation in Kazinga Channel Wildlife, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Mweya Safari Lodge:
Located on the Mweya Peninsula within the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mweya Safari Lodge is the perfect base for your adventures in the Kazinga Channel. The lodge was formerly a government building before being converted into a large hotel. The central location is ideal for hopping on Kazinga Channel boat trips, and the views of the distant grasslands merging into Lake George and Lake Edward are wonderful.
There is a broad range of accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge. The budget option is one of the 32 standard rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and private balcony. For the added benefit of air-conditioning, 12 deluxe rooms are available.
Cottages:
Private cottages are perfect for guests who value space and seclusion. The Queen’s Cottage and the Presidential Cottage include spacious balconies that overlook the Kazinga Channel. There are also 4 Luxury Tents (2 doubles and 2 twins) which offer safari-style accommodation with extra comfort via a ceiling fan and an en suite bathroom.
Book and Arrange with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the Kazinga Channel Boat cruise safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
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