KAZINGA CHANNEL IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Kazinga Channel boat cruise provides a rare opportunity to spot all wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP. It is a wide long natural channel of about 32 km. It links two fresh lakes Edward and George and is a key feature in the great Queen Elizabeth National Park. This spans districts of Kasese, Rubirizi and Kamwenge situated in the western part of Uganda.

Where is Kazinga Channel located?

 Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second popular tourism destination in Uganda. It is the second largest and oldest national park in the country. Kazinga channel is a great and popular tourism attraction in Uganda. One can never miss out on it while visiting the Queens. Kazinga Channel activities are under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Wildlife on Kazinga Channel Boat cruise.

The long natural channel is exceptionally endowed with great wildlife and bird species. While it carries pride in sheltering the world’s largest concentration of hippos about 2000 in number. The channel shores attract wildlife from Queen Elizabeth National Park and also act as their nearest water drinking source.

Which animals can I see on Kazinga Channel?

Several animal species like buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, zebras, giraffes & antelopes can be sighted on the shores of the Kazinga channel. This can be during the thrilling boat cruising alongside several bird species. 

Why visit Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise?

Visiting the channel is one of the most fulfilling experiences as far as African safari tours are concerned. The channel attracts almost every mammal species one can imagine. 

WHAT TO SEE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL BOAT CRUISE

Hippos are the dominant attractions of the long natural channel and the channel arguably harbours the highest concentration of these aquatic species in the world about 2000 in number. Various animals including Uganda kobs, antelopes, Nile crocodiles, warthogs, bushbucks, water bucks, water monitor lizards, elephants, and buffaloes can also be sighted on the shores of Kazinga channel.

Birding on kazinga channel boat cruise

Some of the aquatic bird species that can also be spotted along the channel may include the African crake, Common swift, African Darter, Three-banded plover, African Jacana, little ringed plover, black-headed gull, common house martin and more. 

FAMOUS TOURIST ACTIVITIES AT KAZINGA CHANNEL

Bird watching at Kazinga Channel

Kazinga channel is undoubtedly one of Ugandan’s great birding destinations and the channel attracts about 58 different bird species. Some of the bird species to spot within and on the shores of Kazinga channel. Especially during the boat cruises, many bird species are available. These include Black crake, saddle bill stock, African skimmers, yellow-billed stock, Jacana, open-billed stork, Marabou stock, pink backed pelicans. 

Boat cruising at Kazinga Channel

A large number of visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park admit they never miss out on cruising on the fresh cool waters of the Kazinga channel. It’s one of the best ways to fulfil one’s ultimate wildlife experience. The boat cruises at the natural long channel are available in sessions depending on the visitor’s preferences and run from 9:00 am to 5 pm.

 Each boat cruise session lasts for about 2 hours and there are two boat cruise options available for visitors. One can opt for a smaller or double-decker boat depending on their budget.

Fishing at Kazinga Channel

Fishing is one of the most popular activities taking place at Kazinga channel and while on the thrilling cruise, one shall sight fishermen using the local fishing methods for fishing or washing their nets in the water to embark on the activity.

 There are also local fishing villages in the neighbourhood of the channel. Hippos, buffaloes, elephants, and crocodiles, are some of the mammal species available for visitors to see while on the cruise. 

Best time to visit Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise.

Kazinga channel is an all-year tourism destination and the stunning channel in the western part of Uganda. Visits happen throughout the whole year. However, the best time for the ultimate wildlife experience is the dry season of the year.

 During the dry period of December to February and July to September, the lush vegetation around the channel almost dries out hence giving visitors the most spectacular views of several animal and bird species, especially on the shores of Lake Edward and George.

The dry season in Queen Elizabeth National park.

The trails are dry and not muddy like during the wet season hence enabling visitors to have easy access to the destination. It’s during the dry season that a large number of animals from the Queen Elizabeth National Park will congregate in large numbers on its shores for water drinking, food and bathing.