BOAT CRUISE SAFARI IN UGANDA.
Boat cruise in Uganda is an interesting haven of many wonders that attracts tourists all over the world. It is an extremely adventure on the fresh water bodies of the pearl of Africa which is the best activity not to miss out on Uganda safari package. While on the boat cruise various species are spotted like wildlife, birding and aquatic animals include school of hippopotamus, crocodiles, kingfisher, spurful, elephants, waterbucks, warthogs, herds of buffalos and many more.
The pearl of Africa has the best amazing boat cruise experience that every visitor prefers having it on the package. However it is advised to book in time since boats have limitations and high used so to make your safari the best booking 6 months before the travel to avoid inconveniences.
What is the best time for boat cruise?
Just like any activity in Uganda, boat cruise is done annually however is recommended by the trip advisors to be done in a dry season to have the best Africa tours adventure in the pearl of Africa.
Morning boat cruise is commonly done at 9:00am and various aquatic animals and wildlife animals are spotted around the lake shores and these include crocodiles, hippopotamus, bufallos, elephants and bird species like ring necked bird, kingfisher, spurful, owl, egrets, long-horned bird , Egyptian birds and many more.
Afternoon boat cruise is the best time sailing on water because most of the animals are spotted on the lake shores drinking water and others moderating the body tempeture. The best afternoon time is 2:00pm where herds of buffalos, school of Hippopotamus, elephants, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and different bird species.
Evening boat cruise is also commonly done by visitors who accompany it with sports fishing which is the best time to get fish in water thus making the best time to relax and enjoy the breathe on the lake shores.
Where does boat cruise take place in Uganda?
Murchison falls national park.
Murchison falls National Park is the largest and oldest park in Uganda. The park is the best destination for boat cruise where visitors will be able to spot the Murchison falls which are described to be the most powerful falls in the world. During the boat cruise, visitors will view the lower side of the falls where they will be free to take photos as many as they want for unforgettable moments in the park. While at the park, visitors will explore the beautiful biodiversity
While in the park, other activities are done apart from the boat cruise and these are game drive, nature walk, chimpanzees tracking in budongo and a birding paradise for bird lovers.
How to access the park?
The park can be accessed either by road or flight. By road park takes about 4-5 hours to reach the park through masindi district whereas by flight from kajjasi or Entebbe International Airport takes one and half hours to reach pakuba airstrip while on the way to the park various wildlife and birds are spotted.
Lake Mburo national park.
Lake Mburo national park is also the best destination for boat cruises despite being the smallest park in Uganda. The boat cruise in Lake Mburo can be spiced by other activities like game drive which takes 2-3 hours and birding for bird lovers. During the boat cruise, visitors will spot various animals like hippopotamus that is commonly spotted on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Most of the visitors enjoy afternoon boat cruise although there is morning boat cruise and evening boat cruise. Afternoon boat cruise is where various animals are spotted on lake shores taking water like herds of buffalos, elephants, zebras and many more.
How to access the park?
Lake Mburo national park is the nearest park compared to other parks however the smallest park. The park can be accessed by either road or flight. It takes 260sqkm and it takes about 3-4 hours by road while by flight from kajjasi or international Airport Entebbe, it takes about one and 55 hours.
Queen Elizabeth national park.
Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest and oldest park from Murchison falls national park. The park takes about 7-8 hours passing via mupende –fort portal road. Although the park can also be accessed from masaka –mbarara road. The park was locally known as kazinga Channel Park before Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Uganda.
The park is surrounded by kazinga channel water bodies between Lake George and Lake Albert which makes the park the best destination for boat cruise. While in kazinga, visitors will spot various wildlife species and different bird species. The boat cruise takes 2-3 hours and is done morning hours, afternoon hours and evening hours depending on how the package has been planned. Despite the fact that afternoon is a hot time hours, many animals are spotted on the lower side of mweya lodge for example elephants, herds of buffalos, warthogs, waterbucks, crocodiles , hippopotamus and bird species like spurful, kingfisher, ring necked bird, long horned billed bird, grey crowned crane, egrets, owl, Egyptian birds and many more.
Apart from boat cruise, there are other activities not to miss out while in Uganda and these are,
Game Drive.
Game drive is a common activity done in savannah national park which are Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, kidepo valley national park, Mt Elgon national park, Mt Rwenzori national park and many more. The game drive takes about 2-3 hours and is always accompanied by boat cruise or nature walk to those visitors doing it morning hours. The game drive is done morning or evening hours to spot the early risers and glaciers and carnivores in the evening hours. Wildlife species spotted during game drive include elephants, buffalos, Rhinos, mongoose, warthogs, waterbucks,
Birding.
Uganda safari has the best birding paradise for bird lovers. During nature walk, hiking and boat cruise are commonly spotted at the water bodies and forests. Visitors are advised to pack binoculars, cameras, water and snacks, raincoat, comfortable hiking boots and long trousers in the jungle. Birding activity is in both primate national parks, wood birds, endemic birds and savannah national parks and takings a full day or half day for bird lovers include birds like spurful, ring necked bird, long horned billed bird, grey crowned crane, egrets, Egyptian birds, owl and many more.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the commonly activity that is spiced with boat cruise in Uganda. The activity takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park which inhabits mountain gorillas that are known to be close relative of humans due to 98% DNA. According to researchers, Bwindi and Mgahinga inhabit half of the population census in virunga conservation area. During gorilla trekking, visitors are briefed to lower their voices to listen to the singing birds and spotting various bird species in the jungle. Mountain Goriilas families are viewed in Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector ,Rushaga sector and Nyakagezi sector in Bwindi and Mgahinga respectively.
Chimpanzees tracking.
Chimpanzee tracking is best done in kibale, bundogo, kalizu, kyambura gorge which is a home of bio diversity where chimps jump from one tree to another. The activity is always accompanied by nature walk, game drive and many more activities. Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of gorilla permits which cost $200 per person non -residents but 150,000 per person as a resident. However visitors are briefed before trekking where they are limited to 8 individuals and given one hour visit to be with chimps.
Nature walk / Hiking.
Nature walk and hiking is a spiced activity after boat cruise, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and game drive. The activity involves walking on foot exploring the beauty of flora and fauna in the jungle. During this activity, the visits spot various animals and birds and meet local communities surrounding the park for example in kibale national park after chimp tracking, most visitors always carry out the nature walk around bigodi wetland sanctuary where birds like long horned billed birds, kingfishers, owl, grey crowned crane, egrets, butterflies , red tailed monkeys, blue tailed monkeys colobus monkeys and many more and visiting rest in bananas where ripped bananas are squeezed into banana juice which is a great experience during nature walks .
