Boat cruise on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga channel is one of the prime destinations for a variety of animals and reptile viewing found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Channel is a 40km water long natural channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George making it a catchment area for many travelers dream wildlife encounter. One of the fascinating experience in Queen Elizabeth national park is undertaking either a morning or afternoon boat cruise on kazinga channel to view plenty of animals within and along the shores.
Being the second most visited national park, Queen Elizabeth National park has close proximity to some of the primate destinations in its geographical set up which include; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rwenzori National Park an Kibale National Park which makes it accessible for most travelers to book a boat cruise on Kazinga channel for wildlife viewing and other several activities within the park.
Exploring the best of queen Elizabeth park comes with an experience on a boat cruise on kazinga channel, the experience can either be done in the morning starting at 8:00 am and lasts for a period of 3 hours or in the afternoon starting at 2:00pm and as well lasts for 3 hours up to 5:00pm in the evening, upon the cruise you will be able to view most of the animals ascending to the water source on the channel which include; crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, waterbucks which makes the channel very attractive for visitors to watch them as they feed on the ever green grass and shrubs by the banks of the channel, others can be resting and as well others quenching their thirst. More so the channel is a home for plenty of hippos which occupy the area during the day and during the night, they go to graze on land allowing fishermen to catch fish without fear. The hippo community along the channel is one of the world’s three highest in the world. Do not get worried about your safety on the water as life jackets are provided before sailing and other life saving measures are managed be experienced captain, crew and guides on the boat. Keep your camera ready at all times because there are lots of memories to capture in this 2 hours boat ride.
However other activities can be carried out on a boat cruise which involves bird watching with the area being a habitat for over 60 different species of birds which can be seen on a morning boat cruise. Some of the bird species that you may encounter include; Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, African Shoebill, Yellow Billed Stork, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, Saddle Bill Stork, Darters, Black Crake and Jacana, blue breasted Bee eater, Malachite Kingfisher among others which you can identify with the help of an experienced guide along with the beautiful sounds from these creatures.
This is a unique experience whereby under the guidance of experienced rangers you get to trek lions which offers you a close encounter to the lions in their natural habitat thus making this experience awesome with high chances of meeting the primate unlike on a game drive where you can fail to trace them due to movements and at time on the hunt for prey in tracks which can’t be accessed.
Amidst the boat cruise on the channel you can get to view different animals on a guided game drive along Kasenyi trails and along Ishasha plains where you get to encounter tree climbing lions. Therefore on both day and night game drives you can be able to encounter different animals like elephants, buffaloes, Leopards among others to thrill your safari with great memories.
This is another set activity which is done in the park, you get to tangle with the 22 remaining rared primates in Kyambura gorge, this can as well be done a nature walk in the park and you can get to see other primate species, birds along the trail.
Road transport
Queen Elizabeth National Park can be accessed from Entebbe/Kampala by driving to the west through Mbarara to Katunguru and then to Mweya. One can as well pass through Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is approximately 6-7 hour’s drive. From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions and the drive is just 2-3 hour’s drive
Air transport
There domestic flights which can be booked and fly you from Entebbe to Mweya Airstrip, Kihihi or Kasese. The flight time from Entebbe international Airport to Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately one hour or more depending in on connections made by the craft on any given day?
Book your safari with a local tour operator for convenience since they can help you arrange all the required facilities ranging from accommodation, transport and booking all things that you want to encounter making your work less tedious.
A boat cruise on Kazinga channel is one of the activities that shouldn’t miss on every travelers list on a safari as you will have the best experience with a lot of exploration and plenty of stories to be shared back home upon the exploration, there is a lot to explore in queen Elizabeth national park and Uganda as a whole ranging from wildlife, birding, nature walk, Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience among others all which can be seen all year round.