Lake Mburo boat cruise in 2026
The boat trip is the one activity that takes you off the tracks and onto the water. It lasts about 2 hours and follows the shore of Lake Mburo, where hippos rest in the shallows, crocodiles lie on the banks and water birds feed among the reeds. The view from the water is different from a game drive, and the birds along the reeds are easy to watch from a slow boat. As always, sightings are never guaranteed.
UWA charges the boat per person, in addition to the park entry fee. The rates below come from the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book, and ask a tour provider whether the boat fee and the park entry are in the price.
Our picks: Lake Mburo boat trips
All three trips include a boat cruise on Lake Mburo and start from Kampala or Entebbe. The first adds a night drive, the second is a private 4x4 and the third stops at the equator on the way.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day Lake Mburo wildlife tour with equator stop
- Mburo boat cruise
- Park entry included
- Equator photo stop
Transport, a game drive and a water experiment at the equator are part of the tour. Confirm the pick-up place and where you sleep with the operator before you book.
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2-day private Lake Mburo safari with boat trip
- Private 4x4 with driver-guide
- Park entry included
- Game drives and boat cruise
One night with meals is included, and you are picked up and brought back in Kampala.
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2-day Lake Mburo trip with boat cruise and game drives
- Mburo boat cruise
- Morning and night game drives
- Transport from Kampala
One night's accommodation, lunch and dinner on day one and breakfast on day two are included. Ask whether park fees are included before you book.
Check availability →Lake Mburo boat trips and safaris
Safaris that include a boat trip, with live prices and availability.
UWA boat fees at Lake Mburo
Per person, on top of park entry.
| Visitor group | Boat fee per person |
|---|---|
| Foreign non-residents | $30 |
| Foreign residents | $25 |
| East African citizens | UGX 30,000 |
The tariff also sets minimum charges. The small boat on Lake Mburo is charged at a minimum of $120 or UGX 120,000, which corresponds to 4 people. The larger boat is charged at the equivalent of 15 people. A minimum charge is not a normal single price, so a couple sharing a small boat should ask how the minimum is split. For most travelers, joining a group or a tour that already pays the minimum is the cheaper way to go.
Park entry is $40 per adult per 24 hours for foreign non-residents and is paid separately. The full list is on the park fees page.
What you can see from the boat
Wildlife of the shoreline.
Hippos, crocodiles and water birds are the typical sights. The park counts more than 315 bird species, and the shore and the reed beds are the places to look for waterbirds such as the hammerkop in the photo.
Stay seated, keep your hands inside the boat and follow the instructions of the boat guide. Swimming in the lake is not an option: hippos and crocodiles live in it.
How to fit the boat trip into your visit
A plan, not a timetable.
Ask for the departure time
Ask for the departure time when you book, at the park office or through your lodge, and book ahead if you are a small group.
Combine it with a game drive
A morning drive and an afternoon boat trip, or the other way round, cover both the savanna and the shore. See the safari page.
Bring what you need
Bring sun protection, water and binoculars. A hat and a light layer are useful on the water.
Pay the fee
You pay at the reservation office or at the park gates. Payment options include mobile money, card terminals, bank transfer and an online payment portal. Do not rely on cash alone or on a working card terminal at the gate.
Best time for a boat trip
Seasons at the lake.
The boat runs in every season, but the weather changes the trip. The drier months of June to August and December to February suit wildlife viewing in general, while the rains fall from March to May and from September to November. Rain can make the tracks to the lake slippery, so leave extra time to reach the landing in the wet months. Mbarara, the nearest city with weather records, has its driest months in June and July. The weather page shows the monthly figures. Whatever the month, a boat trip does not change the rules on sightings: hippos and crocodiles are typical, but nothing is promised.
Other ways to see the park
Pages that go with the boat trip.
Lake Mburo boat trip: frequently asked questions
How long is the boat trip?
A trip lasts about 2 hours.
How much does the Lake Mburo boat trip cost?
$30 per person for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 for East African citizens, plus park entry. A minimum charge of $120 or UGX 120,000 applies to the small boat. Check the current amount before you book.
Will I see hippos?
Hippos are a typical sight on the lake, and crocodiles and water birds too. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Are there fixed boat departure times?
The time is arranged when you book. Ask for it and confirm it at the park office.
Can I swim in Lake Mburo?
Do not plan on it. Hippos and crocodiles live in the lake.
Is the boat fee charged per person?
Yes, per person and on top of park entry. The small boat has a minimum charge of $120 or UGX 120,000, which corresponds to 4 people.