A boat cruise is one of the most popular and exciting activities that is often included on Rwanda safaris or Uganda safari tours. It is an amazing water leisure experience offering visitors a chance to explore many aquatic species on the banks or lake shores, enjoy the scenic surrounding areas especially riverine vegetation and aquatic animals. A boat cruise involves people sailing on water using a motorized boat or traditional canoe.
In Uganda and Rwanda, boat trips are best done on rivers and lakes. The top places to consider visiting for a boat cruise experience in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Ssese Islands in the middle of Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, etc. While in Rwanda, boat cruise trips are enjoyable while on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, Lake Kivu and the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Boat cruises in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda is one of the best places when it comes to recreational experiences such as boat cruise. At Murchison Falls National Park, boat cruise is best done on Victoria Nile starting from Paraa Area to the base of the powerful Murchison Falls. It is a short safari experience, taking about 2-3 hours and the amazing part about it is that you can take as many pictures of Murchison Falls while at the base then hike up to its falls.
On a Murchison Falls National Park boat cruise, there are higher chances of viewing several hippos, water birds and other park’s wildlife like buffaloes, elephants, antelopes that come along the river banks. Some of the birds to come across during a Murchison Falls boat cruise include goliath heron, African quail finch, swamp flycatchers, malachites, northern red bishop, giant kingfishers, red-throated bee-eaters and more.
Each day, boat cruise in Murchison Falls NP is done twice; in the morning and afternoon. The morning boat cruise session begins at 8:00am and afternoon starts at 2:00am or alternatively, go for late evening launch cruise at 5:00am.
Other than boat cruises, there are plenty of exciting activities worth enjoying on Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park, including hot air balloon safari, guided nature walks, birding, sport fishing, game drives, community/cultural experiences, visit to the top of Murchison Falls, white water rafting. For primate lovers, chimpanzee trekking is also available and this is done in Budongo Forest.
Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kazinga Channel is one of the key areas of interest for boat cruise trips while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a 40kms extensive channel located in western Uganda, linking Lake Edward and Lake George. It is a distinct attraction of its own and on a launch cruise, there are higher chances to watch the swimming hippos, crocodiles and lots of aquatic birds plus elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks etc.
Lasting for 2-3 hours, the Kazinga channel boat cruise allows you identify birds such as pelicans, the African spoonbills, martial eagle, papyrus gonoleks, cormorants plus many others. There will be an experienced guide to take you through explaining every bit on your boat cruise at Kazinga channel.
Lake Victoria & Source of River Nile
Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest fresh water Lake and tropical water body is better explored on a boat cruise. Sail on a boat/ferry connecting to scenic tropical islands including Ssese, Kalangala, Ngamba Islands and more. For birders, it is one of the best places to enjoy sights of kingfishers, Egyptian geese, egrets, African jacanas, etc.
On the source of the Nile, you will be exploring one of the world’s longest rivers, the Nile River whose source is right in Lake Victoria, Jinja Eastern Uganda. The source of the Nile boat cruise leads you up to the exact point where the Nile River starts its journey. The River Nile is about 6,6996kms long running across several countries: Uganda, Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan and Ethiopia.
Lake Mburo.
Lake Mburo is one of the best places to have the most of a boat cruise adventure. There is a morning boat trip that starts at 8:00am and afternoon boat cruise at 2:00pm. This starts from Rwonyo and there are higher chances to see hippos, crocodiles, birds like kingfishers, black crake pelicans, herons, shoebill, etc.
Boat cruises in Rwanda.
Lake Ihema, Akagera National Park.
Lake Ihema is found in the Southern side of Akagera National Park, Rwanda. It covers approximately 90sq.kms, with depth of about 5m to 7m. It is one best place to enjoy a boat cruise on Akagera National Park safari. Lots of hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds can be spotted while on Lake Ihema boat cruise plus other wildlife species.
An early morning boat cruise on Lake Ihema begins at 7:30am for 2-3 hours, then an afternoon launch trio at 2:00pm. The boat cruise fees range from USD45 for evening session and morning session at USD35 per person.
Best places to consider for overnight stay after a rewarding boat cruise in Akagera National Park include; Magashi Tented Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp and Rusizi Tented Camp.
