The 5 Best Lake Victoria Boat Trips

1.3 Hours Guided Cycling Tour Across Lake Victoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $60Our pick

Start at Beach House Gardens in Ggaba at 8:00 am, cross Lake Victoria by local boat, then ride 20 to 25 km on narrow dirt trails with an English-speaking guide. Bikes, helmets, a soft drink, and a Ugandan Rolex snack are included.

“A great cycling experience just outside of Kampala. It was rainy season, so the ride was muddy in areas, but still fun. Zaga was a great host leading me through trails on the east side of Lake Victoria. Added bonus was the bike ride crossing the lake. You'll see various birds diving into the water hunting for fish.”

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2.Lake Victoria Island Cycling Tour from Kampala

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $62

Leave Kampala at 8:00 a.m. for a private, guided 20-kilometer cycle through Lake Victoria countryside. Cross the lake by boat, ride village and forest roads, and stop for a soda and snacks. Guides such as Francis and Jims have led this outing, though your assigned guide may differ.

“I loved everything from responsive engagement during the booking process, prompt and courteous pickup at the hotel, to quick and efficient gear collection and boat ride across the lake to an exhilarating ride through the countryside and villaRead more”

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3.Lake Victoria Island Cycling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

Meet at Ggaba Beach House Gardens for a 30-minute Lake Victoria boat ride, then cycle about 20 kilometers through villages, plantations, forest, gravel roads, and trails. Guides James and Michael adjust the pace and route, with a Ugandan snack, soft drink, and beach stop included.

“Had a fantastic half day tour with my guide James. The bike was in pristine condition, lots of gears, pumped up wheels - essentially new. I was given a helmet too. I felt safe at all times. We spent 3 hours riding round the various trails. I’m definitely more of a leisurely cyclist but James didn’t mind at all, he even encouraged me to get walk with the bike if I needed to on some of the hillier/slippery parts. The nature was super beautiful. Plantations, forests, beach. An added bonus was experiencing James’ friendly relationships with the locals and children. And a yummy rolex to top everything off! Would highly…”

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4.1-Day Mabamba Shoebill Birding Tour in Lake Victoria Entebbe

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews · 6 hours · from $165

Meet Agnes, Barbie, or Amos in Entebbe for a private morning trip to Mabamba Swamp. A covered boat carries you from Nakiwogo Landing Site, then a small wooden canoe threads narrow wetland channels in search of the shoebill and more than 260 bird species.

“Excellent - the only issue is we only sighted one shoebill and it’s quite far away from us and there was already a big crowds surrounded the bird.”

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5.1 Day Best Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Birding Tour, Lake Victoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $150

Meet your guide at 8:00 am in Entebbe for a private trip to Mabamba Swamp. Travel by boat through papyrus and water lilies in search of the rare shoebill, with time for more than 300 wetland bird species. Musah has guided some outings, alongside local boat captains.

“Amazing boat trip on Lake Victoria, the warmest people I met were our guide and boat captain. Seeing the shoebill was wonderful.”

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