Marine tourism in Uganda

Uganda is an East African country with a variety of water bodies ranging from Lakes, rivers, swamps, waterfalls and hot springs in Semuliki National Park. Uganda is gifted with many lakes namely Lake Victoria being the second largest inland freshwater body in the world, Lake Albert being the 7th largest lake in Africa, Lake Kyoga, Lake Edward, and George connected by Kazinga channel and many others all with unique experiences to offer, rivers like River Nile a North-flowing river and the longest in Africa, River Kagera, and River Kafu among other, swamps like Mabamba hosting the rare shoebill with other bird species. These water bodies host wildlife like terrestrial wild animals, birds, aquatic animals, and a variety of butterflies.

There are three national parks in Uganda with boat cruise as a tourism product in Uganda and these are Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth national park. The majority of Uganda’s marine adventure tourism activities are done in Jinja also known as the adrenaline capital of East Africa.

Marine activities in Uganda

Boat cruise

The boat cruise is the most interesting and enjoyable activity Murchison Falls national park offers. The boat cruise can either be to the bottom of the Murchison Falls or to the Albert delta.

To the bottom of the falls

This is the most enjoyable activity in Murchison falls national park because the launch starts from Paara dock and sails upwards towards the most powerful waterfalls in the world (Murchison Falls) as you set your eyes on schools of hippos, a variety of water birds, terrestrial wild animals at river banks like elephants, oribis, warthogs, buffalos are usually seen taking water and cooling their body temperatures. Crocodiles are also seen especially in spots near the waterfalls basking. The boat cruise to the falls gives our clients opportunities to take photos at a close range and good viewing of the wild game since the boat cruises closer to the animals.

The Albert delta launch cruise

The launch cruise to the Albert delta also starts from Paara dock sails smoothly on the flowing waters of the river Nile. The river splits up creating numerous Islands of papyrus zones. This delta also inhabits the rare shoebill, grey-headed kingfisher, Egyptian goose, white-crowned wheatear, African skimmer, Abyssinian ground hornbill palm nut vulture among others.

The boat cruise to the bottom of the falls is done in the morning and afternoon daily. The morning boat cruise starts at 9 am and the afternoon boat cruise starts at 2 pm both lasting for 2 to 3 hours depending on the speed of the boat.

Boat cruise at Kazinga channel

This channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and it’s a 32km long channel connecting the two lakes. This channel has a variety of birds, aquatic animals and also attracts a variety of terrestrial wild animals that are observed in a close range during the boat cruise. Wild animals to look out during the boat cruise include hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and a variety of bird species like saddle stork, black crake, shoebill stork, yellow barked stork, and many others. The boat cruise gives you a chance to take photos and also view animals in a close range. The boat cruise sets off at 9 am and 2 pm in the afternoon daily at Kazinga channel.

Most of the marine adventure tourism activities are done in Jinja and some of them are bungee jumping, white water rafting, sunset boat cruise on the Nile, visiting source of the Nile, horseback riding on the Nile, jet boating on River Nile, sailing to Jinja from Entebbe on the M.V.Vanessa, all-terrain quad bike safari along the Nile and many others

Below are some of the top marine adventure activities you can do in Uganda

Bungee jumping

This activity is not for the faint of heart because it’s thrilling therefore it needs psychological preparation before you go for it. It involves jumping from a platform with a bungee cord connected to your two tied legs.  Diving from a tour and touching the river Nile makes this activity unique and unforgettable because you touch the longest river in the world

White water rafting

White water rafting involves cruising from mild water to wild white waters of the river Nile. This activity is thrilling but you won’t forget that experience of rafting on the longest river in the world (River Nile). A white water rafting trip on the river Nile can be done on a half-day or full-day trip on river Nile.

Sunset boat cruise on the River Nile

The sunset boat cruise starts at around 6:45 pm in Uganda and ends at 7:10 pm when total darkness comes it. Within these two hours on the river Nile, you see the sun setting in the west along the Nile when you reach in some serene spots that are perfect for a sunset cruise. You can also take snacks and drinks on this most enjoyable experience while in Jinja.

Jet boating on River Nile

Jet boating activity is one of the safest to engage in because the boat operator is experienced and knows the safest places in the river Nile where to cruise from. With jet boating, you ride up the rapids of river Nile. This activity favors those who do not want to spend a lot of time on the river Nile. Remember jet boating has to be booked for you in advance. For more information about Marine Expeditions, kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited your number one Safari expert in Africa.