The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer-long natural water channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George which are part of the African Great Lakes Region. This water channel is a dominant and key feature of Queen Elizabeth National Park popular for wildlife viewing. The Kazinga channel drains its water into Lake Edward in the west from Lake George in the east which is the smallest with an average depth of 2.4 meters. Lake George is fed by screams of water flowing from the spectacular Rwenzori Mountains north of this lake. The Lakes are named after Queen Victoria’s son King Edward VII and his successor King George V.
This water channel attracts a varied range of animals and bird species throughout the year, boasting one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippopotamuses and numerous Nile crocodiles. The Kazinga channel is a comfort zone for old buffaloes known as the outcasts who are often chased out of their herds by other strong males. Individual buffaloes and large herds are often seen wallowing along the channel’s shores and several other animals like elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and bushbucks to mention but a few come to quench their thirst. Kazinga water channel is lined with a swamp on its northern shore beneath the Mweya peninsular which is registered and protected through the Ramsar sites’ rights of conservation of wetlands in Africa.
Attractions at the Kazinga channel
Large concentrations of hippopotamuses
This stream holds one of the highest concentrations of hippopotamuses in the entire world which is its major tourist attraction. Over 5,000 hippopotamuses make up schools in this water channel not until 2005 when their numbers decreased due to an anthrax outbreak that left many of them dead. However, their numbers have grown to tremendous levels of up to 2,000 individuals which have consequently attracted many visitors to Uganda.
Other animals
The Kazinga channel is not only a haven to these large semi-aquatic mammals but also a host to most of the park’s wildlife more so during the dry season. Along the shores of the channel, one can spot large herds of cape buffaloes wallowing in the mud, African elephants taking a refreshing bathe, Nile crocodiles and giant monitor lizards busk along the shores, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, and many more. Occasional visitors include lions, giant forest hogs, and leopards to mention but a few.
Bird species
The Kazinga water channel is known to attract several unique species of aquatic birds. This water channel is categorized among the Important Birding Areas in Africa by the International Birding Organization. Bird species to look out for include the pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, Angola swallow, common swift, plain martin, African skimmer, African palm-swift, African crake, Eurasian moorhen, black-headed gull, African darter, three-banded plover, little-ringed plover, African jacana, collared pratincole, black-tailed godwit, common-house martin, curlew sandpiper, sanderling, common snipe, black-headed weaver, village weaver, African snipe, cape wagtail, white stork, saddle-billed stork, common sandpiper, harmerkop, little egret, squacco heron, grey heron, goliath heron, knob-billed duck, malachite kingfisher, great egret, black crake, osprey, gray-backed fiscal, brown-babbler, red-eyed dove, hooded vulture, black sawwing, green white eye, house sparrow, lesser flamingo to mention but a few.
Activities are done along the Kazinga channel
Boat cruise
Cruising along the Kazinga channel is a highlight of any Uganda safari due to the unique wildlife experience it offers. This is one of the must-do activities on one’s visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It lasts for 2 to 3 hours being conducted by experienced guides and captains who are knowledgeable about the wildlife that thrives within and around this water channel. They are readily available to share information about animals, bird species, vegetation cover, surrounding communities, and many more, and respond to clients’ queries.
The boat cruise runs twice a day both in the morning and in the evening starting at 10 am to 1 pm and 2-5 pm. A variety of wildlife species are spotted during the cruise such as Nile crocodiles and giant monitor lizards busking along the shores, herds of elephants and buffaloes shower and quench their thirst, bushbucks, waterbucks, kobs, and a variety of bird species. The Kazinga channel boat cruise offers a magical and thrilling wildlife experience since one gets up close to several wildlife species such as sailing amidst schools of hippopotamuses, both large and small mammals as well as beautiful countless bird species. Alluring sunsets are captured during an evening boat cruise along the channel with an opportunity to sip a glass of chilled wine or a Nile bear and several other Uganda-made beverages.
Bird watching
The Kazinga channel is one of the best birding spots in Queen Elizabeth National Park contributing to the Park’s diverse bird checklist of over 612 bird species which is the largest of any Protected Area in East Africa. Birding along the water channel is done on a boat cruise either in the morning or afternoon hours with the guidance of a birder guide expecting to spot up to 60 aquatic bird species on average. Bird species to look out for include the giant kingfisher, yellow-billed stork, African skimmer, black egret, long-tailed cormorants, black crake, darters, saddle-billed stork, African mourning dove, pin-tailed whydah, slender-billed weaver, scarlet chested sunbird, swamp Gonolek, swamp nightjar, grey-headed kingfisher, African shoebill, white and pink backed pelicans, cattle egrets to mention but a few.
Getting there
The Kazinga channel is situated in the northern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park which is a 7 to 8-hours drive from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara, Mbarara-Kasese, and Fort Portal roads. Boat trips along the Kazinga channel start from the Mweya peninsular just 20 kilometers of Kasese-Mbarara main road. One can also access the Kazinga channel by use of public means to Katunguru where special hire taxis are available to Mweya Lodge for around UGX 30,000. For those who are not comfortable with long-distance drives, this water channel can be accessed by air where one is advised to book a domestic chartered flight through a reputable tour operator. These flights take off from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip and proceed for a short drive to Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Best time to visit the Kazinga channel
The Kazinga channel is open to visits all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to August and December to February. During this period of the year, the weather conditions are very pleasant and the wildlife tends to congregate around the water channel which makes them easier to spot.
