Wildlife from the Water

Uganda's safari parks might be overshadowed by their larger counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania, but the Pearl of Africa has a different ace up its sleeve. The parks are famous for their spectacular boat safaris, which offer a unique perspective on wildlife.

Boat Safari in Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is one of the oldest and largest parks in Uganda, making it a true safari hotspot. The park is particularly known for the Nile River that winds its way through the park—the second-longest river in the world. Somewhere within the park, millions of litres of water force their way through a narrow rock gorge, creating the powerful and spectacular Murchison Falls. It’s a paradise for water lovers, and not just for the human visitors! The river is a watery haven for all the animals in the park. Creatures of all shapes and sizes gather on the riverbanks to quench their thirst, bathe, splash around, or simply relax and soak up the sun. On a boat, you can float along the shores and witness the daily life of the animals. Thousands of hippos (now you understand the name!), enormous crocodiles, elephant families, zebras, and buffalo. But it’s not just land animals—you’ll find plenty of our feathered friends perched in the trees along the river, scanning the waters for their next snack. From mighty eagles to the adorable, tiny kingfishers: birdwatchers, be sure to check your binoculars off your list!

Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a vast, elongated park in the east of Uganda. The big advantage of this park is that much of the wildlife roams outside the official park boundaries, meaning you don’t necessarily need to pay park fees to spot your favourite animals. As you drive along the public road through the park, you can stop at a small village situated on the shores of the Kazinga Channel. This 32-kilometre-long channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward. From the village, you can hop on a boat and drift along the shores. Did you know that this channel is home to the largest hippo population in the world? You’ll be amazed, and it’s not just the animal kingdom that offers a behind-the-scenes peek… Human life also carries on along the shores of the Kazinga Channel: mothers wrapped in colourful cloths doing the laundry, children splashing and playing, and fishermen casting their nets from wooden boats.

Boat Safaris Outside the Parks

Although Uganda doesn’t have a coastline, it certainly has plenty of freshwater! You can spot endless wildlife from the water’s surface, not just in the national parks. For example, a spectacular boat trip can be taken on Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Or visit the charming town of Jinja, where you can spot countless birds while enjoying a sunset cruise over the source of the Nile with a cold beer in hand. Uganda's southwestern region is also known for its stunning lakes, where you can paddle across in a dugout canoe. Read more here about the unique canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi!

Unique & Authentic Experiences

Come with us to the authentic sides of Africa. That means authentic connections with local people and keeping a curious eye for the unknown.