Boat trips in the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Boat cruises or trip experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park are done in the Kazinga Channel. This channel is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kazinga channel is distinct as an incredible physical feature as it connects Lake Edward to Lake George. The Kazinga Channel is very important in the park as it exposes the aquatic life of the park for exploration.
Dive into Uganda’s aquatic life in a boat trip adventure on the Kazinga channel that lasts over 2 hours. The channel attracts various wildlife species from far and wide, hence a boat trip adventure is a great way to spot a variety of wildlife. The boat trip experiences are enjoyed in 2 sessions with the first session in the morning and the second session in the evening. This morning boat trip experience usually begins at 11 am to 1 pm. The evening session of the boat cruise begins and ends at 3 pm and 5 pm respectively. The sights and sounds of the incredible Kazinga channel are best experienced while on the boat trip adventure.
While on this adventure, expect spotting aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles, plus also other species that flock the shores, such as elephants, antelopes, waterbucks, and buffaloes, to mention a few. The Kazinga channel is renowned for hosting the largest population of hippos numbering to more than 5,000. Visitors interested in having an encounter with the aquatic life of Uganda’s most popular park, the Queen Elizabeth National Park, best take on this boat cruise experience. Boat cruise is one of those activities that should not be missed on any visitor’s bucket list. Boat cruises are safe and provide the best chance for visitors to get closer to the animals on the Kazinga Channel.
What activities can be combined with boat trips in the Kazinga channel?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is not limited to only boat trips, however, has other interesting activities that visitors can engage in as they combine with a boat trip. The following are some of these activities.
Game drive experiences
Off the boat cruise experience of the Kazinga channel, one can combine this experience with an exclusive game drive experience. Queen Elizabeth National Park hosts over 95 mammals and 600 bird species that can be encountered in the open savannah plains of the park. Game drive experiences involve navigating the savannah plains of the park in the safety and comfort of your safari 4×4 vehicle while viewing various species. Game viewing is the perfect time to spot the various wildlife species going about with their daily chores. The park hosts 4 of the Big 5, lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. There are other species like antelopes, elands, warthogs, duikers, and waterbucks to mention but a few.
Chimpanzee trekking
How about an outdoor trekking experience of chimpanzees after a boat cruise at the channel. Traverse the tropical rainforests of Kyambura Gorge for a chance to spend an hour in the presence of these primates. Queen Elizabeth National Park has lived up to its name of the medley of wonders and protected its title as the most popular park because of its abundance of wildlife. It’s just imaginary to think a savannah park can host chimpanzees that dwell in the tropical rainforest. Well, this incredible park is gifted with a tropical rainforest gorge called Kyambura Gorge that hosts chimpanzees.
Lion tracking
Track the ferocious lions that rule the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. These apex predators can easily be spotted while on a tracking experience. This process of tracking lions is done with the help of the rangers that use the radio antennas that receive signals from the collars on the necks of lions. This experience of tracking lions can also be combined with a boat trip.
Birding
The park harbors 600 bird species in its premises and can be spotted even during a boat trip on the Kazinga channel. It is an assurance of spotting various bird species when you take on this birding experience in the park. Several birding trails are designated across the park that lead birders straight to the habitats of these birds. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a true birders’ paradise.
When to have a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel?
Queen Elizabeth National Park is bisected by the equator, meaning that the park receives an equatorial type of climate. This climate is characterized by two dry and wet seasons annually. A boat trip on the Kazinga channel is best done during the dry season as the weather is humid and dry with no winds, hence the water is calm and makes for an easy boat cruise. This weather also attracts various wildlife species to the channel to quench their thirst, hence adding to this incredible experience.
What is the cost of boat trips on the Kazinga Channel?
The boat trip in the Kazinga Channel costs vary between people of different nationalities and regions. These costs include USD 30 for a foreign non-resident, USD 25 for a foreign resident, and UGX 30,000 for an East African citizen. However, this fee excludes the park entrance fees as you enter the park.
