CRUISE ON THE KAZINGA CHANNEL

Shallow (average water column: one metre), the 40 km-long canal linking Lake Edward to Lake George offers a two-hour boat trip, which is undoubtedly the park's most popular activity. Four or five departures a day (at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm) from the pier beneath Mweya Safari Lodge are scheduled by UWA. Tickets (US$35 per person) can be purchased at the park office. It is possible to climb onto the roof of the launch to make the most of the panorama, but beware, the sun is beating down hard on the Rift Valley floor. If you're lucky, you'll be able to see a leopard quenching its thirst, but you'll probably have to make do with hippos splashing about, elephants drenching themselves, eagles soaring, kingfishers diving, crocodiles hiding, hylochers drinking, antelopes cavorting, monitor lounging, buffaloes cooling off, jacanas showing off and weaverbirds bustling about. A most delightful spectacle! Note also that the Kazinga Channel Beach community organization (+256 703 700 500) organizes its own cruises (US$ 30 per person for around 2 hours) with equally competent guides. Departures (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for Lake Edward or Lake George take place from Katunguru, on the north bank of the channel, at the bridge over which the national road passes and under which fish spawn and swallows nest.