In Uganda , a boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park offers you an extra ordinary experience while on a safari, because of it’ strategic geographical location being divided by the Nile River which is the longest in the world.
Murchison Falls National Park is located in North western part of Uganda this is where we find the World’s Magnificent and strongest Falls on the Nile River. Boat rides in park are one of the main activities carried out in the park besides; game drives, bird watching, sport fishing, cultural tours, and many more.
Launch trip
The launch trip is the main boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park which is done twice a day; the morning ride starts at 9 am while the afternoon ride starts at 2 pm lasting 3 hours. The launch trip starts from Paraa sailing upstream towards the impressive falls travelling over 17km. You will be accompanied by a guide whose role is to explain and interpret nature as you come across different physical features, animals, and birds. More so ensure they enjoy every bit of their boat ride.
The launch takes you through a breathtaking moment enjoying the cool breeze of the waters as you sail towards the bottom of the falls which is the ride’s climax.
Wildlife expected to see during the boat cruise
While on this boat cruise, there is sightseeing which gives you an opportunity to see the beautiful scenery of green vegetation and rugged rocks on the shores, and birds as they dive in and fly on the water. These may include; kingfishers, bee-eaters, starlings, white egrets, snake birds, and herons among others.
Water animals such as; crocodiles as they bask in the sun. Hippos, elephants, buffaloes, water bucks sunbathing, grazing and drinking water on the Nile especially during the dry season.
As you approach the falls you will notice the water pressure getting high, the boat is anchored on the rock at a minimal distance from the falls point known as the devil’s cauldron. There is also a roaring sound and water smoke due to the large volumes of water finding its way through the gorge, you can literally feel the ground trembling. You will be able to see the water passing through a narrow gorge with a less than 7m width. It’s a must-see moment how amazing nature is, it leaves you with an overwhelming feeling.
Albert delta boat cruise
Albert delta boat cruise starts from Parasailing slowly down stream towards the Lake Albert shores taking about 4-5 hours. The bird’s sound is the music of the day as you glance at the different animals going about their day -to -day activities on the shores.
The rarest bird to look out during the Albert delta boat ride is the Shoe bill stork which only found in Murchison Falls National Park, Bigodi sanctuary in Kibale National Park and Mabamba Swamp.
The Albert delta boat cruise is also doe twice a day just like the launch trip as mentioned above. The morning and afternoon session, however, the afternoon option is the most spectacular because you are able to see the sun setting moment.
You cannot miss out on seeing natural filled surroundings, the mesmerizing green vegetation mixed with an orange-yellow glow of the sun downer. You can use your cameras as you take great natural pictures for your memories and references not forgetting the binoculars used for clear sight of the birds as the fly above the water.
The cost of the boat cruise
In Murchison Falls National Park boat cruise currently costs $30 dollars per person for foreign non- residents and $25 for foreign residents. Children are allowed on the cruise but with strict supervision by their parents. The cost of the cruise excludes; drinks and food, however drinks such as beers, water and soda are sold on board for refreshing as you sail on the Nile.
Besides the boat cruises there are other activities which can be done in Murchison Falls National Park these include; game drives, birding, cultural tour, sport fishing, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest among others.
However, apart from Murchison Falls National Park, boat ride can also be done in Jinja on the Nile, Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo in Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Victoria, River Semlik in Semliki National Park.
