Kazinga Channel Boat Safari Birding Guide
The Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's best boat birding experience and one of East Africa's great wildlife boat trips. The 33km channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward supports extraordinary concentrations of waterbirds, hippos, buffaloes and elephants along its shores.
Bird Highlights of the Kazinga Channel
A 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel regularly produces 70 to 100 bird species. Highlights include: shoebill stork (seen on the majority of morning trips — scan reeds and papyrus margins carefully), African skimmer (up to 50+ birds in the dry season, the best Uganda site for this species), pink-backed pelican, goliath heron, grey heron, black-headed heron, purple heron, various egrets, African fish eagle (multiple birds per trip), pied kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, giant kingfisher, African pygmy kingfisher, various waders and African jacana.
Timing Your Boat Trip
Morning boat trips (departing 7:00am or 9:00am) are superior to afternoon trips for birding. The shoebill is most active hunting in the morning hours. African skimmers are most active at dawn and dusk on sandbanks. Book the first departure of the day through the Uganda Wildlife Authority at Mweya Safari Lodge. The trip lasts 2 hours and uses motorised launches with viewing from the bow.
Adding the Kazinga to Your Itinerary
We include the Kazinga Channel boat trip in all Uganda birding itineraries that visit Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is bookable as a standalone activity for visitors passing through the park. Contact us to include Queen Elizabeth and the Kazinga Channel in your Uganda birding tour.