Kazinga Channel boat cruise
The Kazinga Channel is a natural waterway that links Lake George and Lake Edward. It is roughly 32 to 40 km long. The UWA boat cruise runs from Mweya and lasts about 2 hours. It does not cover the whole length of the channel. It is a short stretch with a lot of shoreline life.
The fare is in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book. The boat is a separate fee from park entry, so ask whether entry is included when you book a tour.
Our picks: Kazinga Channel boat trips
All three include a boat ride on the channel. The day safari from Fort Portal is the shortest, and the 4-day trip also has a boat ride at Lake Mburo.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
4-day Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo safari
- All park entry fees
- Boat rides in both parks
- Lodging and all meals
Two days in Queen Elizabeth with the Kazinga cruise, then two days at Lake Mburo. A private 4x4 with a guide; no primate trekking is included.
Check availability →2-day Queen Elizabeth safari with boat ride
- Non-resident park fees
- Boat ride and Kasenyi drive
- Lodging and meals as per itinerary
A private trip with a driver-guide. A primate walk is optional, and no trekking permit is included.
Check availability →
Queen Elizabeth day safari from Fort Portal
- Game drive and Kazinga boat safari
- Safari guide
- Breakfast and lunch
A day covering the Kasenyi plains and the Kazinga Channel, with the return to Fort Portal after the boat safari. Ask whether park entry is included before you book.
Check availability →Kazinga Channel boat cruises
Boat cruises on the channel and safari packages that include one, with live prices and availability.
Kazinga Channel boat cruise: fares and what you get
Foreign non-resident and East African rates.
| Visitor category | UWA boat fare |
|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident | $30 |
| Foreign resident | $25 |
| Citizen of another African country | $20 |
| East African citizen | UGX 30,000 |
Departure times can change with demand and season, so ask for the current time when you book or at the visitor center. For most visitors, the UWA cruise is the simplest way to get onto the water: it has a clear fare and starts at the park's own landing. Private cruises run by camps on the channel, such as sunset trips, set their own prices and timetables.
Mweya, where the cruise starts
Mweya is a peninsula between the channel and Lake Edward. There is a marina and a visitor information centre there, and the UWA cruises leave from this area. Confirm the meeting point on the day of your trip. UWA also runs accommodation and camping at Mweya, and lion research drives are booked there at the visitor center. See where to stay.
The trip from Kampala takes a long day, so most travelers arrive the day before the cruise. More on getting there.
Wildlife on the channel
What the shoreline holds, without promises.
Hippos
Hippos live along the channel and often show from the boat, though no trip can promise them. Numbers vary by day.
Wildlife →Elephants and buffalo
Elephants and buffalo come to the water to drink and bathe. Their numbers on the bank vary by day.
Safari →Crocodiles and waterbirds
Crocodiles live in the channel. Waterbirds use the shore and the water, among them kingfishers. A single boat trip does not guarantee a particular species.
Lake Edward →The water is home to hippos and crocodiles. Swimming is not a safe activity here, and there is no safe bathing spot to recommend. Keep hands and cameras inside the boat and follow the crew's instructions.
Mweya and the lake shore: how to plan the day
A common plan is a morning game drive, lunch, and the boat in the afternoon. The cruise combines well with the Kasenyi game drives because the cruise leaves from Mweya, the park's activity base. If you stay several nights, put the boat on a day without a long road transfer.
Bring a hat, water and binoculars. A camera with a zoom helps, since birds are small from a boat. The cruise runs on both the channel and the edge of the lake, so the scenery changes as you travel.
Between Lake George and Lake Edward
Where the channel sits in the park.
The channel joins two very different lakes. Lake George is a Ramsar wetland of 15,000 hectares, designated in 1988. Lake Edward is a border lake with the DR Congo. Park cruises stay on the Ugandan side, and a boat trip into Congolese waters is not part of them. Read more about the shores, fishing villages and birds on the Lake Edward and Lake George page.
Kazinga Channel: frequently asked questions
How long is the Kazinga Channel boat cruise?
The UWA cruise takes about 2 hours. The channel itself is much longer, about 32 to 40 km, so the boat covers only a part.
How much is the boat cruise?
For a foreign non-resident the UWA fare is $30, for a foreign resident $25, for a citizen of another African country $20 and for East African citizens UGX 30,000. The amounts follow the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book.
What time does the boat leave?
Times change with the season and demand. Ask for the current departure when you book, and arrive early at Mweya.
Will I see animals on every trip?
Hippos, elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and waterbirds live along the channel, but no trip can promise a particular animal. Birds especially change from day to day.
Can I swim in the channel?
No. Hippos and crocodiles live in the water. Treat the channel and the lakes as unsuitable for swimming.