Hippo and elephant from a slow boat

At a glanceOn water

How longAn afternoonA couple of hours, usually mid-afternoon

How hardNoneSeated on a boat; a short walk to the jetty

SeasonYear-roundRuns year-round; afternoons are the busy time on the banks

The channel runs between Lake George and Lake Edward through the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and because it is permanent water in dry country, everything comes to it. You sit on a flat boat for a couple of hours and the park walks down to the bank in front of you.

Hippo first, in pods, doing very little. Then buffalo standing in the shallows, crocodile flat on the mud, and the shoreline birds, cormorants shoulder to shoulder on the stumps, storks, herons, kingfishers dropping off the reeds. The elephants come down to drink and the boat cuts its engine and everybody stops talking.

Most people take the afternoon departure, when the heat has pushed animals to the water and the light along the banks is worth having. It is the easiest thing in a Uganda itinerary and often the one people remember.

Good to know

Departures are shared boats by default and fill in high season. Private charters are usually available at a higher rate; we confirm and quote in writing.
Afternoons are busiest on the banks and best for light. Mornings run too and are quieter on the water.
The channel is in the park’s northern sector, a long way from Ishasha in the south, so plan them as separate stops.
Park entry and boat terms are set by the wildlife authority and its concessionaires and change seasonally. We check current terms for your dates.

Boat operator names, departure times, private-charter options, per-person costs and park entry terms on the Kazinga Channel are set by the wildlife authority and its concessionaires and change seasonally. We confirm what applies to your dates in writing before you pay anything.

The elephants come down to drink and the boat cuts its engine and everybody stops talking.

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Questions we are actually asked

What is the Kazinga Channel?

A natural channel linking Lake George to Lake Edward, running through the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Because it is permanent water in dry country, animals come to its banks all day, which is what makes a boat the best seat in the park.

What will we see?

Hippo in numbers, buffalo and elephant coming down to drink, crocodile on the mud, and bird life along the whole shoreline: cormorants, storks, kingfishers, waders. Which of the large animals show up on any given afternoon is not something anyone can promise.

Morning or afternoon?

Afternoon is the usual choice, because the heat pushes animals to the water and the light along the banks is better for photographs. Mornings run too and are quieter on the boat. We book the slot that fits the rest of your day.

Is it a shared boat?

Standard departures are shared and can be full, particularly in high season. Private boats are generally available at a higher rate and are worth it if you are photographing seriously. We confirm what the operator offers for your dates and quote it in writing.

Is it suitable for children or older travellers?

It is one of the easier things in a Uganda itinerary: seated, shaded and a couple of hours long, with a short walk down to the jetty. Operators set their own rules on young children and life jackets, and we check them before you commit.

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The Kazinga Channel by Boat

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