How to book a boat Cruise experience on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National park

It has been made easier for visitors to book and participate in the boat cruise experience on Kazinga channel. Whether you want to do it as part of your main wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park or you want to do it another time outside the common schedule, it will be all tailored to your interest.

The simple procedure to book is; to send us an email telling us the numbers of people and what time you want to do this boat cruise, then leave the rest to us. Though we recommend that the booking should be made at least one day in advance you can also try your luck and make last-minute bookings on the same day. At the longest, one day from the time of booking, everything will be set to take you on this memorable safari.

What is special about Kazinga channel boat cruise experience?

Kazinga channel boat cruise is truly the best way to see wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park. Kazinga channel ecosystem is a complete wilderness full of life, due to its all-year-round green status. The channel extends 40km between two famous lakes; Lake Gorge and Lake Edward in this park. The connection to these two water bodies feed this channel into a broader ecosystem stretching from Kibale forest to the great Virunga in Congo through the cross-boarder Lake Edward. This two hours boat cruise, therefore, gives the visitors an opportunity to take a snapshot of the greater queen Elizabeth national park ecosystem.

The boat cruise is also an opportunity for families to reunite as they unwind in a unique natural setting. During the channel, you will realize that your souls as family or friends will get closer together as you enjoy the scenery of this great landscape and wildlife, allowing you to rebuild your bond with your people and nature at the same time.

During the boat cruise, you will witness that Kazinga channel is a true demonstration of coexistence in the Queen Elizabeth national park ecosystem. You will see a full mix of wildlife at one time. You will be exposed to herds of Buffalo, Hippo and other animals near the edge of the channel as they cool off. Depending on the season European migrant birds like the terns and gulls congregate here in large flocks. With a keen eye, you may also spot some crocodiles as they bask by the edge of the channel. 

You can choose to climb to the rooftop (protected by side rails) and take a sky view of the ecosystem from the top of the boat. From here you will take exclusive views of the fishing eagles and zoom the big five as much as you have always wished. At some points, the boat will bypass fishing canoes on the shores or cruise past the fishermen on canoe doing their routine fishing trades. As you cruise, the scenarios of canoes on or off the water with the background of the fishing villages will give you wonderful picture moments.

Other important information to note:

The two options of the boat cruise are the Park boat cruise and the community boat cruise.

The park boat cruise is scheduled for two times a day; one at 11:00 am and the other at 3:00 pm. This boat safari offers an opportunity to explore wildlife at close range in this evergreen paradise of Queen Elizabeth national park that lies along the edges of the Kazinga channel. The boat cruise starts at Mweya peninsular. It is also important to note that you need to book space in advance (especially during peak season) since the boat has a limited number of seats.

For those seeking to explore on budget or are limited by one factor or another, there is also another boat option on the Kazinga channel being operated by the community. Though it is operated on the same channel in Queen Elizabeth national park, this community boat cruise costs cheaper, and needs a minimum of 2-3 people in case there is no one else to join. This community boat cruise starts at Katunguru and its timing is flexible depending on the availability of clients, able to operate any time between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm.

Each boat cruise tour is a return journey that takes a total of two hours. Guests are expected to arrive at the boat starting point at least 30 minutes before to allow for payments in the reservations office or visitor information center and boarding down by the dock. The boat cruise package comes with a ranger guide (onboard) to interpret the tour for the whole group on board.

Please contact us to organize your boat experience of choice at no additional charges. We can also arrange your stay with us at the Elephant home before and after the boat cruise experience.