Mweya boat cruise on the Kazinga channel – Wildlife viewing safari
Mweya boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel a natural water body between Lake George and Lake Albert is one of those great wildlife safari experiences while on an Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This experience allows you fully explore all the best things that the Kazinga Channel has to offer. The Mweya boat cruise has been organized for tourists to spot several large mammals that flock to the channel for drinking water, feed, and bathe around the shores.
The Mweya boat cruise costs between USD30 – USD50 and is done in shifts between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each boat cruise lasts for two hours and starts from the jetty near Mweya Safari Lodge. There are two boat options available for you, one can use the smaller boat but more expensive or the double-decker boat which is a bit cheaper. You always have to join other tourists on the boat and all boats are more comfortable and suitable for those who wish to have a more private cruise.
Some of the interesting things about the Mweya boat cruise apart from the animals are the opportunity to pass by the local fishing villages. In the late afternoon, the fishermen can be seen preparing their fishing gear as they get ready to fishing on the channel at night. There are no fishermen in the waters in the early afternoon because of the dangerous hippos. However, during the night, the hippos go out of the waters to graze on land allowing fishermen to catch fish without fear.
The best time for a Mweya boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is during the dry season. During this time the channel becomes an oasis that gathers many animals all relying on the water to drink cool off and feed. It is important to go for the Mweya boat cruise with a good camera to take good photos of the animals most especially in the late afternoon
Great Adventure Safaris usually organizes short safari trips to Queen Elizabeth National Park to do a Mweya boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel with game safaris to the other sectors of the National Park. We highly recommend that you go for both the Mweya boat cruise and morning/afternoon game drives in Kasenyi plains and Ishasha sector the southern part of the National Park.
The Kasenyi plains offer amazing opportunities to spot animals in picturesque natural plains and landscapes. Among the large animals include buffaloes and elephants. The Kasenyi plains offer the best chance to spot the ordinary African lion as they prey on the Uganda kobs that roams the area. The Ishasha sector is more famous for the tree-climbing lions and if you feel like extending your safari days for more fun contact us at Great Adventure Safaris and get more chance of viewing wildlife including the lion tracking experience in Kasenyi plains.
How Mweya boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is organized
If you are visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park you need to sign up for the activities you wish to take part in at the park offices. The activities include game safaris in a different part of the park, Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, Mweya boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, or a lion tracking experience.
You need to select which shift you prefer before a seat is reserved. Most tourists book their safari using the services of a local Tour Operator like Great Adventure Safaris. Using our services as Safari Company is convenient as we help you arrange everything (accommodation, transportation) including booking the Mweya boat cruise.
Before setting off to the water, you are led to the shores and allocated a seat. Once everyone is on board, an announcement is made in which the captain, crew, and guides are introduced to everyone. Guides are very important during the cruise as they help answer all questions related to the channel and the National Park. They can give you all the facts about the National Park, bird species and animals.
After the Mweya boat cruise and spotting all the animals and bird species during the two-hour launch cruise, it is time to head back to the lodge for relaxation. By this time everyone is so excited after the amazing Mweya boat cruise.