Experimental and numerical studies have been carried out to study the effect of using baffles on the flow and heat transfer characteristics in a rectangular channel with an aspect ratio of 3:1. The baffles were mounted on the top and the bottom surfaces in a staggered arrangement with a constant pitch (P =100 mm). Uniform heat flux was applied on the upper and lower surfaces while the side walls were insulated. Over a range of Reynolds numbers from 12,000 to 42,000, the effect of tilting angles (θ=0^o ,〖30〗^o ,〖45〗^o and 〖60〗^o ) and perforation ratios from 10% to 40% on the heat transfer enhancement and flow resistance features have been reported in the form of flow structure contours, temperature contours, local Nusselt numbers, average Nusselt numbers, Nusselt number ratios, friction factors, friction factor ratios and thermal enhancement factor (TEF). Additionally, based on the study outcomes, correlations for the Nusselt number and the friction factor have been developed. Among all the studied cases, baffles with tilting angle (θ=0^o ) and perforation ratio (β = 10%) showed the highest heat transfer enhancement and the greatest flow resistance while the case of the lowest heat transfer augmentation and the minimum friction factor is the baffle configuration with tilting angle (θ=〖60〗^o) and perforation ratio (β = 40%). Moreover, it is noticed from the predicted flow field that the baffles with lower tilting angles and lower perforation ratios provide stronger reattachment and recirculating flow on the heating surfaces. In addition, the insertion of the proposed baffles leads to higher heat transfer augmentation compared to the smooth channel such that the Nusselt number ratio (Nurs/Nuss) reaches 2.6. The TEF showed that the optimum condition has been achieved at the baffle configuration with tilting angle (θ=〖60〗^o) and perforation ratio (β = 10%) at Re =12,000 where it reached the peak (about 0.7).