Uganda or Rwanda, which country is better for safari?
Uganda or Rwanda, which country is better for safari?
Between Uganda and Rwanda, which country is better for a safari is one of the most frequently asked questions and today we will be looking at which country is better for an African safari. Uganda and Rwanda are top safari destinations in East Africa. Both are landlocked countries and are two of the three countries that are home to the endangered Mountain gorillas making both countries the best destination for primate trekking. Rwanda is a small country sometimes known as the land of many hills and has a lot to offer when it comes to safaris. Uganda on the other hand is a bit bigger than Rwanda and offers more to tourists when it comes to safaris.
Most Popular Safaris
4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Safari
2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
16 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari
5 Day Gorilla & Chimp Tracking Safari
5 Day Low season Uganda Gorilla & Chimp Safari
In this article, we are going to look at the differences and similarities between the two countries when it comes to safari destinations and activities so that you get to choose the best options for your safari. As a tour company that has experience, we have extensive knowledge and experience in planning safaris for both countries and we can with no doubt tell you that both countries are good safari destinations for the different types of tourists.
The cost: Uganda and Rwanda
One of the important things that you need to consider when deciding the best safari destination between Uganda and Rwanda. There are so many things that affect the cost of the safari and these include transport, accommodation, number of days spent on the safari, and the safari activities that are on the itinerary.
Transport within Uganda is a bit expensive as compared to Rwanda and this is because most of the safari destinations are far off from the city Centre and it takes hours to get there which increases the transport costs. The safari destinations in Rwanda on the other hand are not located in remote areas which makes it easy to access them.
Note: The road system in Rwanda is also better as compared to Uganda.
Accommodation in both countries is categorized into three categories budget/basic, mid-range, and luxury accommodation facilities. Rwanda has always marketed itself as a luxury safari destination and most of the accommodation in the country is high-end as compared to Uganda where there are accommodation facilities to cater to the different categories of tourists.
The number of days spent on the safari will determine the cost of the safari in both Uganda and Rwanda. The more days you spend on a safari, the higher the cost of the safari, and the fewer days spent on a safari, the lower the cost of the safari.
The different safari activities you plan on participating in on your safari also determine the cost of the safari.
Other factors that affect the cost of a safari in Uganda and Rwanda include personal purchases, the season of travel, and the size of the group you are traveling with.
Safari destinations in Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest park in Uganda and one of the most frequently visited in Uganda. It’s strategically located near the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Giving tourists a chance to spot all the big five while on their safari. Wildlife you get to see while on a safari to Murchison includes lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, zebras, warthogs, chimpanzees, and over 300 bird species. Activities in Murchison include a boat ride along the Nile, chimpanzees trekking in Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, bird watching, guided nature walks, cultural trips, treks to the waterfalls, and game drives among others.
The best time to go is June to September and December to February.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Found in the southwestern part of Uganda, Mgahinga is famous for gorilla tracking and has one habituated family known as the Nyakagezi gorilla family. It is also the only destination in Uganda that offers golden monkey tracking with a few habitude golden monkey families.
The best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is from December to January and June to August.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the parks in Uganda famous for game drives and bird watching. It has the highest number of recorded bird species in Africa amounting to over 612 and these include both endemic and migratory bird species. The National Park is also home to the tree-climbing lions that are found in the Ishasha sector and other wildlife that you get to see in QENP include zebras, hippos, water bucks, leopards, buffaloes, crocodiles, antelopes and elephants among others. Activities carried out in Queen Elizabeth include a boat ride along Kazinga Chanel, game drives, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, a trip to the fishing village, and bird watching among others.
The best time is from June to September.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Best known as the best gorilla trekking safari in the world, Bwindi is located in southwestern Uganda and has half the population of the remaining Mountain gorillas in the world amounting to 495 gorillas. The park is divided into four sections including Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, and has 27 habituated gorilla families spread across the four sections. Other activities done in Bwindi include Gorilla habituation, guided nature walks, the Batwa trail experience, primate walks, and bird watching.
The best time to go is from June to September and December to February.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is home to the highest number of recorded chimpanzees which is 1500 living in the tropical rainforests. It is also home to over 13 different primate species some of which include chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked monkeys, and Ruwenzori monkeys among others. It can be an extended trip from Queen Elizabeth National Park and some of the activities offered at Kibale include chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation experience, bird watching, primates walk, and a visit to the Bigodi wetlands and cultural trips to the nearby villages.
The best time to go is from December to February and June to September.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the gem of wildlife in Uganda and the closest National Park to Kampala City. The national park is best known for the large populations of zebras that are best seen during the dry season. Other animals that are seen during a game drive around Lake Mburo National Park include giraffes which have been recently introduced in the national park, and kobs among others. Activities carried out here include guided nature walks, drives, boat rides, bird watching, and cultural tours among others.
The best time to go for a safari to Lake Mburo National Park is during the dry season.
Other safari destinations in Uganda that you can visit include Kidepo Valley National Park, Kampala City, Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Kasubi Tombs, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi, Jinja City, Semuliki National Park, Nyero Rock Painting, Mabamba Swamp, Bigodi wetland sanctuary, Mt Elgon National Park and Sipi Falls among others.
Safari destinations and activities in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
This is one of the top three tourist destinations in Rwanda, home to the endangered mountain gorillas which are the top tourist attraction in the country. The National Park is also home to other primates and wildlife including golden monkeys, grey-cheeked monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Volcanoes National Park is also home to some of the Virunga ranges including Mt Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Gahinga, Bisoke, and Muhabura.
The best time for gorilla trekking is from December to February and June to September.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is the largest park in Rwanda located at the border of Tanzania and Rwanda. Other animals found in the park include hyenas, crocodiles along the Akagera River, antelopes, and bushbucks among others.
The best time to go to Akagera National Park is during the dry season.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
This is one of the best national parks to visit in Rwanda for a chimpanzee trekking experience. The park is home to about 13 different primate species which include chimpanzees, blue monkeys, Mangabeys, olive baboons, Ruwenzori monkeys, and golden monkeys among others.
Other Safari destinations in Rwanda that you can visit include Kigali city, the Musanze caves, National museums, and Lake Kivu among others.
In conclusion, if you want to do more than just gorilla tracking on your safari with a wide range of safari activities, then Uganda is a better option, unlike Rwanda. Uganda offers big game safari drives in different t destinations as compared to Rwanda and Uganda is much more affordable than Rwanda. Contact us for more details about safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.
Why Safari Vacations & Travel Services
With over 10 years of experience operating in the greater East African region, Safari Vacations& Travel Services is one of the few trusted and tested tour operators that will guarantee you the best experience when it comes to safaris to see mountain gorillas and wildlife in Africa. We decided to go green and promote responsible travel whenever we visit sites in Africa. We have a team of professionally trained office and field staff ready to serve you with diligence. Our satisfied clients always leave some reviews on Trip Advisor as well as Safari booking.
