Launch trips, commonly referred to as boat cruises, are a popular and serene way to explore Uganda’s natural beauty and diverse wildlife from the water. These trips offer visitors a chance to witness aquatic life, abundant bird species, and animals congregating along water bodies’ shores. Launch trips are conducted mainly in select national parks and major lakes, including Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Kazinga Channel, Lake Mburo National Park, and the vast Lake Victoria.
In Murchison Falls National Park, two main launch cruises take visitors on the Nile River for around three hours each. One cruise goes upstream from Paraa to the powerful Murchison Falls, showcasing spectacular scenery with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and many bird species. The other cruise travels downstream to the Nile-Lake Albert delta, providing stunning views and excellent wildlife sightings. Sunset cruises here offer breathtaking views of equatorial sunsets reflected on the Nile waters.
Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kazinga Channel is famous for remarkable launch trips that take about two hours. The channel connects Lakes George and Edward and attracts huge concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and Uganda kobs along its shores. Bird watchers enjoy observing over 60 aquatic bird species, such as the shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork, African fish eagle, and many kingfishers. These cruises offer an exceptional mix of wildlife viewing and natural beauty, adding a peaceful contrast to traditional game drives.
Lake Mburo National Park offers a more intimate setting for launch trips with two-hour boat excursions covering its large lakes and wetlands. Visitors can see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, impalas, zebras, and many water and bird species from close range. The park’s smaller scale allows for relaxation and wildlife viewing at a calm pace, making it ideal for combining with walking or horseback safaris.
Launch trip durations vary from 2 to 3 hours generally, with tours often guided by experts who provide insights about wildlife and bird species. These trips run multiple sessions per day and require bookings in advance, with passenger capacities that differ by park and boat size. Prices for launch trips range around $30 per foreign non-resident, with discounted rates for foreign residents and East African Community members.
The best times for launch trips align with dry seasons from June to September and December to February for comfortable weather and optimal visibility. Launch trips are considered some of the most relaxing yet rewarding wildlife experiences in Uganda, offering tranquil waterside perspectives on biodiversity, spectacular landscapes, and close encounters with iconic African wildlife.
Thus, launch trips in Uganda provide unforgettable water-based safaris combining wildlife, bird watching, and stunning natural scenery in some of the country’s top national parks and lakes, making them a must-do for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Would you love to book a launch trip in Uganda today- we will be more than happy to get your affordable transportation to and from Murchison falls & Queen Elizabeth national park for a boat cruise on Kazinga channel and Victoria Nile. Simply contact us now by sending an email to info@ugandacarrentalservices.com or call us on +256-700135510 to speak with the reservations team.
