A boat cruise is a short trip in a relatively small boat taken for touristic reasons, typically starting and ending in the same place, and normally of a duration less than a day. This contrasts with river cruisng, yacht cruising, and ocean cruising, in larger boats or cruise ships, for any number of days, with accommodation in cabins.

Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world after lake superior. Initially it was called lake Nalubaale (Home of the gods) by Ugandans then Nam Lolwe by the Luo people of Kenya and Tanzania but later renamed lake Victoria after Queen Elizabeth of England by the explorer John Speke who believed that the lake was in-fact the source he was looking for.

Lake Victoria is shared by 3 East African countries, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. About 49% of the lake falls under Tanzania, followed by 45% in Uganda and about 6% in Kenya. The lake has a catchment area of about 169,858 km² and is the chief reservoir of the Nile River. This large irregular-shaped lake has a maximum length of 359 km (north-to-south) and a maximum width of 337 km.

It is relatively shallow and has a maximum depth of 81 m and an average depth of 41 m. The length of the lake’s shoreline is about 7,142 km and it is the ninth-largest continental lake in the world, contains approximately 2,424 km³ volume of water. Lake Victoria is situated at about 1,135 m above sea level.

For boat tours, usually a sightseeing boat is used, but sometimes adapted amphibious vehicles or purpose-built amphibious buses Boat tours are often on rivers and lakes but can be on canals as well.

A boat tour is a unique way to experience a given area by water. Often taking place on a multiple-level boat, passengers taking a boat tour will often have the choice of sitting on an exposed upper deck or a more confined lower deck. Unlike a cruise, the typical boat tour takes place on a river or inland lake and does not include overnight occupancy, although some stern wheeler riverboats can offer overnight passage on designated extended tours.

Why should one not miss a boat cruise on Lake Victoria

Leisure purposes on the beaches of lake victoria

Most people would like to spend their leisure on water while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lake Victoria and its surroundings.

Birding around the Lake

The lake harbors over 250 bird species and when you are on the boat cruise you get a chance to witness the quality and quantity that nature has to offer. During the boat ride with our team at Funride Adventures, you will realize that among the 250 birds living there, the papyrus endemic birds like the Papyrus Gonolek as well as the Papyrus Yellow Warble, among others are in plenty, there  are also the migrants like the Gull-billed Tern, the Blue Swallow and White-winged Tern as well as others. You might also be lucky and see the popular but rare Shoebill stork in Mabamba wetland a bird that almost everyone on a birding safari is interested in seeing. The other species include the Spur-winged Goose, the Goliath Heron, there may be the Squacco Heron and many more.

Chimpanzee viewing in Ngamba Island

While on a boat cruise you can have an opportunity of visiting Ngamba island a home of Orphaned Chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa. The Island was gazette in 1998 to Shelter Chimpanzees that were rescued from illegal pet and Bush meat trade.

Wildlife viewing at Uganda Wildlife Education Center

There is also a chance of passing by Uganda Wildlife Education Center (Zoo) to see wild animals that have been rescued from causality. You can opt to do this through behind the scene to get a physical feel of those animals. Animals in the zoo include Giraffe, Cheetahs, Leopards, Baboons, Hyenas, Elephant, Rhinos, Uganda Kob, Monkeys, Crocodiles, Pythons, Tortoises, Snakes, Donkeys among others.

Fishing Excursion in the Lake

During the boat ride on Lake Victoria, one experiences fishing trips with the offer of hooking the largest fresh water fish the Nile Perch. Enjoy the catch and release of the Nile Perch. We make sure the boat passes around the best spots of the Nile Perch and good fishing method

Where to stay on a boat cruise

Lake Victoria is surrounded by all stars of accommodation in Entebbe, Kampala and Kalangala with delicious meals and beautiful view.