Kazinga Channel
Kazinga channel is defined as a narrow water way that is located in kasese district with in Queen Elizabeth national park the second largest national park in Uganda which is about 420km away from Kampala city. The channel is long and wide about 32 km that connects two fresh water lake George in the east and lake Edward in the west. Kazinga channel lies within the Mweya peninsular and it has two parts; the north kazinga and the kasenyi plains. Both the parts of kazinga channel are best destinations for game viewing in queen Elizabeth national park. The kasenyi plain is a home to Ishasha sector famous for the tree climbing lions that every visitor cannot miss to see while on a Uganda safari.
The kazinga channel wetland is protected and registered with the Ramsar sites of conservation of wetlands in Africa; the wetland is a home to various aquatic wildlife such as the Nile crocodiles, the numerous bird species, the large populations of hippos, water bucks among others.
Game viewing in the kazinga channel:
The kasenyi section of kazinga channel offers breath taking view points of spotting game. you will see lots of wildlife like the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, bushbucks, large population of elephants, sitatunga giraffes, antelopes, the water bucks, oribis, herds of buffaloes, large number of Uganda kobs, the zebras, Nile crocodiles, high percentage of hippos in the world among others.
The kazinga channel wetland is known as one of the best place where you can easily spot 60 species of birds such as Eagle, yellow-billed stork, pied kingfisher, black bee eater, African skimmer, black-rumped buttonquail, African shoebill, great white and pink-backed pelicans, open-billed stork among others.
Boat cruise on the kazinga channel
The boat cruise on the kazinga channel will give insight to travelers to explore the water body, view fishing villages, overlooking the stream such as the kasenyi plains, the wildlife animals at the shores such as the lonely buffaloes wallowing, Nile crocodiles, large population of elephants taking water, the huge population of hippos among others as well as a number of bird species and different scenic views of the flora and fauna beauty.
The scheduled daily 2 hours’ launch trips and private boat cruise safaris on kazinga channel are the most popular activities in Queen Elizabeth national park. There are two boat rides operated on the kazinga channel, the one is operated by the Mweya safari lodge north east of lake Edward and stretch the 35km channel to lake George and another by the Uganda wildlife authority. They give great experience to get close to the wildlife in the boat’s comfort but the most recommended to use is the Mweya safari lodge that offers the best experiences and luxurious services compared to the Uganda wildlife authority which is doubled decked. The channel is seen well on the boat cruise down the course of the channel. It is the most liked and enjoyed launch trip in Uganda. The boat cruise is operated into two sessions, the morning session that starts 11am to 1pm and the evening session that starts at 3pm to 5pm local time and it is operated by professional ranger guides. You can book any of the two boat cruises when you visit queen Elizabeth national park.
The best time for a boat cruise on the kazinga channel.
The best time is during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February. In the dry hot days, the dry puddles and heat push the animals towards the kazinga channel waters. Here the chances of seeing elephants and predators are high during the dry seasons.
How to get to kazinga channel.
Kazinga channel is situated in the northern part of queen Elizabeth national park and can be accessed by road transport or Air transport.
By Road transport:
The most familiar route is driving from Kampala city via 309km on a smoothly surfaced road. The 6 to 8hours drive passes through Masaka, Mbarara and Bushenyi cites.
However, you can also take route A109 on a 400km fort portal-kasese road which takes about 6-8hours. this route fits well with chimpanzee tracking adventures in kibale forest national park using a 4×4 wheel safari vehicle.
By Air transport.
While using Air transport, the aircraft from kajjansi airstrip of Entebbe international airport will drop you to kihihi then take a drive of 3-4 hours to kazinga channel via Ishasha sector then Mweya peninsular where you will be dropped at the near safari lodge such as Mweya safari lodge that is strategically located at the shoes of kazinga channel.
Where to stay.
Accommodation should not worry you because Queen Elizabeth national park is gifted with a lot of lodges, hostels and camps among others. staying anywhere around queen Elizabeth national park’s decent camps and lodges will give you easy access to kazinga channel. The facilities offered are based on budget, midrange and luxury facilities these include; Mweya safari lodge, Jacana lodge, Mweya hostels and cottages, Ishasha bandas, Hippo hill camp, Kingfisher camp, Kyambura lodge, Simba safari camp, queen Elizabeth safari camp among others.