Boat cruise at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western part of Uganda laying between Lakes Gorge and Albert with the Kazinga Channel crossing through its 700 sq mile land area. The park was named after the Queen of England in 1954 following her visit.

The park is about 389 km from the capital Kampala and can be accessed by road on a 6h 30min drive via Masaka Road or by a charter flight.

The park is home to 618 bird species which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa making it is a perfect destination for Uganda Birding Safaris, in addition to 10 primate species like chimpanzees and 95 mammals including big game.

 

The key attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park include tree climbing lions, Kazinga Channel a natural water channel connects Lakes Albert and Gorge and is home to a large number of hippos, Nile Crocodiles, elephants and hippos which can easily be seen on the thrilling Kazinga Boat Ride.

 

The boat trip within Queen Elizabeth National Park is done on the impressive Kazinga Channel a 40 kilometer water long natural channel that links Lake Edward plus Lake George. Normally the boat sets off every day at either 09.00 am local time or at 2:00pm in the afternoon – local time. This launch cruise may take anything from 2 – 5 hours to well explore the water and the wildlife along the shores of the Kazinga Channel.

 

There are professional guides right on the boat who give all the necessary information pertaining this safari or  tour as well as answer any questions that may arise about the wildlife or anything else. In addition, the professional as well as well experienced guides point out any wildlife which you may have failed to notice.

 Taking a cruise on the Kazinga Channel is among the highlights of Uganda safaris within Queen Elizabeth Park. the launch cruise offers  great chances to take pictures since the boat drifts slowly just by the shores of the channel. The Kazinga Channel supports the biggest number of Hippos in the whole of Africa.

 

Actually an adult male Hippopotamus weighs more compared to a fully loaded Land- Cruiser.  Hippos don’t swim however they just bounce their bodies at the bottom of the water in which they are in.  They normally stay under water jut as you will notice in the Kazinga Channel so as to safe guard their rather sensitive skin, and actually if you took a night time cruise on the channel you will actually discover that there are not so many hippos since most of them will be grazing on-land.

 

There are Crocodiles although years back these crocodiles were removed from this lake because of volcanic eruption however, just in the recent years they returned coming from River Semliki.  By the shore of the channel you will not fail to notice monitor lizards.

 

During the afternoon boat ride, you can spot large herds of Elephants, Buffaloes, and a number of lone buffaloes within the water which would have been kicked-out from one of the herds, hence finding better protection from different predators like lions by staying in the water.  Predators as well as nocturnal animals normally come to the shores in the late afternoons for a drink.  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 not only a wonderful place to only  bird lovers, but as well to those who may actually not be passionate birders as they will definitely love what they see with a wide array of colorful beautiful birds soaring near to the water surface. Among the common species to look out for are the Martial Eagles, African spoonbills, Cormorants, African Skimmers, Pelicans, Papyrus Gonolek, in addition to the occasional hard to pin down Shoebill Stork.

 

Therefore a launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel is something that shouldn’t be missed while on your Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth Park or southwestern Uganda at large.