Boat cruise safaris in Uganda national parks : Uganda is one of the diverse nature countries in Africa with a variety of tourist attractions to explore from Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, chimpanzee trekking, game viewing safaris, nature walks, hiking safaris to boat cruise safaris. Uganda tourism is that extensive and it gets better for every activity. Boat cruises safaris involve experiencing the waters up close preferably in a boat. The 3 savannah parks offer exciting boat ride to help the tourist get better views of wildlife, reptiles and birds whereby some of these cannot see quite clearly from land and you need to get onto the water to get a clear view. Below are some of the places in Uganda that offer the best boat cruise experience in Uganda;
Murchison Falls national park boat cruise on the Nile River
Murchison falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park bisected by the River Nile that flow in the middle of the park. The Murchison falls is the most powerful waterfall in Africa along the River Nile through a chasm in the Rift Valley escarpment to form the raging Murchison Falls, Boat cruise safaris in Uganda national parks. Besides offering much of the animal viewing experience in the African wilderness while on safaris in Uganda, Murchison falls national park adds a boat cruise on the Nile and a closer look at the Murchison Falls and becomes a more amazing experience.
Murchison falls national park is offering the best boat cruise experience on River Nile. The park was named Murchison Falls by the fact that there are magnificent falls to see. The river Nile runs through Murchison fall a national park and climaxes the show with the beautiful waterfalls. The park offers perhaps the best boat rides that is combined with game viewing and the bottom of the falls. The boat can come up-close to the waterfall as there is a point where all boats must stop given the strong forces of the Nile. That is exhilarating for anyone who is adventurous enough to dare.
Boat cruise in Murchison falls national park are organized by the Uganda wildlife authority although there are private boat cruises by Para Masara lodge and Wild frontiers. The Uganda wildlife authority schedule the boat experiences in the morning and afternoon however, the afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the Murchison falls is the best experience. In the afternoons you can see elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and a variety of birds as you move from the Para area of the park to the bottom of the falls. Hippos resting and frolicking in the water and along the shores of the river are also a common sight on these boat rides. There are crocodiles too, one of which is a man-eater. There is a sandbank on the left of the river just before the falls that has numerous crocodiles. The sight is both scary and interesting.
While on a boat cruise in Murchison falls national park, there is a lot of history to be learnt and discovered as the guides share. For example, after the viewing the falls, visitors can get off the boat at the bottom of the falls and walk up the trail that was taken by Winston Churchill, the spot where Earnest Hemmingway had his first airplane crash is nearby there too. The falls were also named by Sir Samuel baker whose boat was overturned by a hippo on a boating ride. The place is rich with history, and very scenic, the views from a boat on the Nile River are simply magnificent.
The scenery along the boat ride makes the wildlife experience even better as you can see the forest, cliffs, swamps, the water fall itself and on the return trip you just might see some predators coming to water.
Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is divided into 2 parts – the northern and southern park and Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park is a 40km natural channel that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. While on a boat cruise, you can catch sight of various animals, birds and reptiles on a boat safari and on the shores of the channel. For many tourists, the Kazinga channel launch cruise is the highlight of their safari because it offers sights of crocodiles along the shores, and numerous hippos along the shores and in the water. This small channel of water has the highest population of hippos in Africa! The launch cruise is a lot of fun, and gives tourists the chance to take photographs of the scenery. You can also see monitor lizards along the shores, these look a lot like crocodiles and are sometimes confused for baby crocodiles.
It is not uncommon to catch sight of some elephants, and buffaloes especially on the afternoon rides. Buffaloes find protection in the water when they are alone and without a herd. The water gives them some bit of protection from predators. You may also get to see some predators such as lions get a drink of water in the afternoon. Other animals that you might see on your boat ride include; waterbucks, antelopes, and the unique Uganda Kob.
The enthusiastic birder would also enjoy birding while on a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel. There is a variety of birdlife to be found and seen such as the African skimmers, martial eagles, pelicans African spoonbills, papyrus gonolek, cormorants and shoebill stork are some of the bird species you might to get see. However, you do not have to be a birder to enjoy the birding offering of the Kazinga channel, the colourful array of birds would catch attention anyway. So when you visit Queen Elizabeth national park on your Uganda safaris tours, make it a point to take a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, it will be worthwhile experience.
Boat safari on Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park is yet another amazing destination that offers boat safari experiences in Uganda. A boat ride on the very beautiful and peaceful lake is the perfect way to spend your time in as you wind down a day full of safari activity, Boat cruise safaris in Uganda national parks. The boat rides here take you along the shores of Lake Mburo. You can catch sight of wildlife such as Zebras, Antelope, and Buffalo that come to the water from the lake. Lake Mburo is also home to the large eland antelopes which you just might get to see while on a boat ride. There are also 3 different species of otters in Lake Mburo, which you might be able to see if you take a boat ride on the lake and boat rides are mainly done on the main lake. Hippos and crocodile are also a common sight. There is also a variety of bird life to be seen such as Pelicans, Black crake, African Fin foot, Heron, Cormorant, Fish Eagle, and the elusive Shoebill Stork. The boats in these parks are modern, up to date, well maintained and safe. There are life vests worn as a safety measure as well. Boat safaris are such a rewarding experience and all visitors to any of these parks should be encouraged to go on a boat ride at least once.
