Visit the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth Park
The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise is a Must-Do Activity in Queen Elizbeth Park
The Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel is a Ugandan Must-Do Activity. It is not to be missed: The Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel highlights a visit to Queen Elizabeth Park. It is like a game drive on steroids due to the density of Wildlife, Reptiles, Birds that you will see along the shores of the channel in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The Kazinga Channel is a thirty-two-kilometer (20 miles) natural channel that connects shallow Lake George with the more prominent Lake Edward. Water from Lake George flows through the channel and drains into Lake Edward. Portions of this stretch of water provide the perfect backdrop to an African Safari from a boat.
The Boat Safari begins on the Mweya Peninsula landing site. From there, the Boat will take you toward Lake Edward, where most wildlife is found on the channel.
Even Queen Elizabeth visited the park and the channel in 1954 when the Colonial Government changed the park’s name from Kazinga Park to Queen Elizabeth Park. President Museveni of Uganda has enjoyed taking in the teeming wildlife birds and a Boat Ride on the channel. 
Kazinga Channel boasts the highest concentration of hippos in all of Africa. You do not see wildlife and birds here and there on a game drive. Here is the density of wildlife, reptiles, birds seen along the shores of the channel. Queen Elizabeth Park has one of the Highest Concentrations of Hippos in Africa, along with Elephant Herds, Buffaloes, antelope, monitor lizards, crocodiles, and thousands of various kinds of birds.
For most, the Kazinga Channel Boat Safari is one of those moments of discovery on their Safari in Uganda. A time when your camera will be kept busy as you snap pictures of the scenes before you. Beyond wildlife and birds, you will see bustling fishing villages with families going about their lives on the channel itself, giving you some insights into Village life on the channel.
The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise is a Must-Do Activity in Queen Elizabeth Park that is not to be missed by visitors to the park. It is an activity that we integrate into all our safaris that include the Mweya region of the park.
What you see will see on a Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Hippos in abundance- Thousands of hippos are located on the channel, where they spend the day. Here you find the highest concentration of hippos in the world. You will have some great opportunities for hippo open-mouth shots, such as bulls fighting in the water. You can hear them munching grass at night if you stay at the Mweya Safari Lodge.
In the 1950s, they were so numerous that they harmed the grasslands above the channel, harmful to other animals. The Colonial authorities began a cull of hundreds of hippos. There was a plan to sell hippo meat, and recipes were developed but never implemented. The people around the channel created a taste for hippo meat today. Hippo Meat will not be on the menu at your Lodge.
Large Elephant Herds – Queen Elizabeth Park is one of the few parks in Africa where the elephant population has increased. They come to the channel to water and bathe, providing photographers with great up-close shots that you will relish for years to come.
Once again, a boat safari gives you the chance to safely see Elephants much closer than you would on a game drive in the park.
The Boat moves slowly so that you do not miss a thing.
The other plus is that the Elephants will often mingle or be surrounded by other wildlife and birds.
Not only are Hippos concentrated, everything seems to be concentrated on a relatively small stretch of shoreline.
Buffaloes – Savanna buffaloes are usually dark gray or black. Even as an adult, the somewhat smaller forest buffalo is red in color. In Queen Elizabeth, there are both forest and savannah buffaloes. The two will often interbreed, resulting in a different color than buffaloes elsewhere in Africa. 
You will see buffalo herds coming to water along the channel. If you see a solitary, older buffalo in the water, it protects you from predators. Those lone buffaloes have been kicked out of the herd by the females for lack of performance—the reason you will find them standing in the water alone. That works for a while. However, solitary buffaloes without the protection of the herd will often be hunted down by a predator.
Crocodiles – are a common sight on the boat safari. Until the 1950s, there were no crocodiles along the channel, and they came up from the Semiliki River as the area developed and pathways and trails became common.
You will see them sunning themselves on the banks of the channel as your Boat floats by.
Monitor Lizards – are also seen here and often mistaken for crocodiles.
Antelopes – various species are regularly seen on boat cruises.
Lions – are rarely seen. The best time is during the late afternoon when they get up from their daytime nap.
Birds – include the 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.
The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise Options
Uganda Wildlife Authority Boats
Uganda Wildlife Authority Boats have taken thousands of tourists from around the world on memorable Kazinga Channel Boar Cruise. They use double-decker boats to stand on top of the boat or sit below.
The Kazinga channel boat cruise is done twice a day. In the morning and in the evening hours. The morning cruise starts at 11:00 am and ends at 1:00 pm, and the evening cruise begins at 2 pm and ends at 4 pm. During Peak Seasons, additional time is added.
Mweya Safari Lodge Boats
The Sunbird seats ten passengers in comfort. Enjoy refreshments and canopies aboard the Kingfisher, which seats twelve for the ultimate in luxury. Both launches have experienced guides and crew with all the necessary safety equipment. Most often, there are fewer people on the Mweya Boats.
For those wanting a private Boat Cruise of Kazinga Channel, we arrange with Mweya Safari the right boat for your group.
MV Kazinga
MV Kazinga provides comfortable seating with tables, large viewing windows, and a top standing deck to see the channel’s prolific wildlife. The luxury cruise welcomes all ages of the family, providing drinks and snacks. At the same time, tour guests observe the incredible nature along the banks and in the channel’s waters.
Cruises leave Mweya Peninsular three times a day. Morning 8-11 am, afternoon 2-4 pm, and a memorable sunset cruise 5-6.30pm. The Boat is also available for private excursions along the Kazinga channel.
