Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda

Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometre or 20 Miles long water channel that connects Lake George in the east to Lake Edward in the west. The channel is among the most paramount geographical features in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel has a magnificent view of the most vital wildlife undertakings in the park.

Visitors having good times during a boat ride on Kazinga Channel

On the Eastern side of Kazinga Channel is where Lake George is found, it’s a tiny lake with a complete deepness of 2.4 meters and 250 square kilometres. The lake is fed by watercourses flowing from the mighty Rwenzori Mountains just north of it. the water flow from Lake George run through Kazinga Channel and furrow west into the neighbouring Lake Edward, one of the main fresh water lakes in Uganda and occupies a total area of  2000 square kilometres. Most of the many safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park will offer you with an opportunity to enjoy a boat cruise on the channel as well as a game drive in the park among the many activities.

Kazinga Channel Shores attract large numbers of wild mammals and birds in addition to reptiles throughout the year. The place also has the largest numbers of hippopotamuses in the universe plus plentiful of Nile crocodiles. Animals are seen well from a boat cruise down the progression of the channel and at the start of the remarkable Lake Edward. Around 60 bird species can be seen during the water trip. The channel’s Boat Cruise is enormously satisfying and among the best and most liked voyage trips in Uganda. The cruiser is normally operated from 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm local Ugandan time. Also water expeditions can as well be done at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm local time depending on the voyagers’ cruise preferences.  Carrying about 40 passengers, the vessels permit a seat with a view, as the professional ranger guides tell the stories of the animals and birds as they are continually spotted. The boat moves gradually along the shoreline as guests lively see animals and birds.

The channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park encompasses sections like the North Kazinga and Kasenyi plains. Amazingly, the channel plains offer stunning view platforms for watching the wild game. While on a game tracking cruise, you will have a superior base spot the diverse wildlife existing in this region in its very unspoiled natural setting. Animals like buffalos, elephants, hippos and many more live in the grasslands in the Northern corridor of the channels near to Mweya Peninsula. On the other hand, the most suitable and satisfactory area to see lions is the eastern segment the plains of Kasenyi and the Kasese road on which they target their prey, the numerous resident Uganda Kobs visibly loitering in the area. The most ideal time for game drives is in the morning hours and late in the afternoons/evenings. Night game drives are also done in the park on special arrangements.  Your park guide has an obligation to provide you with enough information regarding wildlife in this large, assist you identify some wild animals, birds and plants that you may have not seen. And above all he has to make sure that you have the most pleasant and delightful times plus unforgettable experience on you Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Getting to the Channel

The Boat trip starts the Mweya peninsula which is 20 kilometers west of Kasese-Mbarara/Bushenyi Highway. Travelers from Mbarara and Kasese move via Katunguru.

Kyambura Gorge – The Home Chimps

Kyambura Gorge is found in the far eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park in south western Uganda is roughly 1 km across and about 100 meters deeper. The gorge also known as the ‘Valley of Apes’ is drained by River Kyambura. Its a habitat to chimpanzees, other primate species and birds as well.

Lake George

Lake George found in western Uganda covers 250 square kilometres. The lake with an estimated depth of 2.4 meters is part of Africa’s Great Lakes system. Though the lake itself is not considered a Great Lake. This water body was named after a British Prince, George who later became King George V.

Ishasha Sector

The Ishasha Sector found in the Southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is well-known for the amazing Tree-Climbing lions. Lions that hang in the big fig trees are an exceptional attraction and a key highlight of any Uganda safari tour this large national park. The Ishasha lions relax in the tree branches as they also spy on their preys from above.

Lake Edward

Lake Edward, the tiniest of the African Great Rift Lakes is positioned on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake is just few miles south of the equator. The first European to see the lake was Henry Morton Stanley, a Welsh explorer who visited the lake in 1888 during the Relief Expedition of Emin Pasha.

Kasenyi Plains 

Kasenyi Plains are part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is at these plains that the biggest percentage of game drive Uganda Safaris are carried out from. The plains are found on the western shores of the  spectacular Lake George adjoining to the Kazinga Channel onto which the water makes a convergence.

Maramagambo Forest

Maramagambo Forest is found in Bushenyi district and is a part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The forest is prominently associated with the Bat Cave and the Python. The forest is bounded by two crater lakes, Lake Nyamasingiri and Lake Kyasanduka and is a home to the red-tailed monkeys, chimps  and Bates’ pygmy antelope (Neotragus batesi) among others.

Mweya Peninsula

Mweya Peninsula is found within Queen Elizabeth National Park on the northeastern shores of Lake Edward. The peninsula is the corner point where Kazinga Channel joins the lake. This beautiful piece of land surrounded by water either sides is approximately 66 kilometres by road from Kasese town.