Between Uganda and Rwanda, which country is better for a tour?

When it comes to choosing a tour between Uganda and Rwanda, both countries have many opportunities for wildlife lovers. Each destination has its own unique tourist attractions making it a difficult decision for tourists to make. Both countries are landlocked and top tourist destinations in East Africa.

In this article, we are going to compare the two countries in terms of activities and safari destinations to help you make a decision on which one is better for your adventure.

Cost: Rwanda and Uganda

Many factors affect the cost of a safari and that includes accommodation, Season of travel, transport, number of days spent on a tour and different safari activities that are on the itinerary. These are supposed to be considered before choosing a trip to Uganda or Rwanda.

Transport. Tourist destinations in Rwanda are located near the city center which makes them easy to access therefore costs of transport are low whereas transport in Uganda is a bit expensive because most tourist destinations are remote. The road network in Rwanda is also better than that of Uganda.

Number of days spent on a tour also determines the cost of your tour to Uganda or Rwanda. Less days spent on a tour means lower costs while more days mean higher costs.

Accommodation in both countries is grouped into three categories that is basic, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. Uganda has all the three categories catering for different classes of tourists while Rwanda has always marketed itself as a luxury safari destination with mostly high-end facilities.

The different activities you plan on participating in also affect the cost of your safari. Engaging in several activities means increased costs since each is independently paid for compared to few activities.

Period of travel. Travelling during peak periods in both countries is costly compared to low season.

Other factors that affect the cost of your tour to Uganda or Rwanda include the group one is travelling with, personal purchases and others.

Safari destinations and activities in Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the closest National Park to Kampala capital city. It is famous for large populations of zebras which are seen during the dry season. Other animals seen during game drives are giraffes and Kobs which are recently introduced in the park. Private ranches are also found near the national park which gives tourists an opportunity to see how the Ankole raise their long-horned cattle. Activities carried out in the park include birdwatching, boat rides, drives, guided nature walks, cultural tours and others. The best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park is during the dry season.

Murchison falls National Park

Named after Murchison falls, Murchison falls National Park is located in Northern Uganda and it is one of the oldest most visited parks. It is near the Ziwa Rhino Sanctury which gives visitors a chance to see all the big five that is lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. On their way, Tourists can also see animals like giraffes, zebra, chimpanzees, crocodiles, antelopes, hippos, warthogs and more than 300 bird species. Murchison Falls National Park has activities like chimpanzee trekking in Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, boat ride along the Nile, cultural trips, game drives, walks to the waterfall, guided nature walks, bird watching and others.

The best time to visit is June to September and December to January.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for birdwatching and game drives. It has more than 612 migratory and endemic bird species. It is also home to tree climbing lions found in Ishasha sector. Wildlife like antelopes, waterbucks, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, leopards and crocodiles are also seen in the park.

Queen Eliabeth National Park offers activities like game drives, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, bird watching, boat ride along Kazinga Chanel among others.

Best time to visit is from June to September.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is located in Southwestern Uganda and it is known for its best gorilla trekking safari experience in the whole world with over 495 gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four sectors that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.It has 27 habituated gorilla families spread across the four sectors. Activities done in the park include the Batwa trail experiences, primate walks, birdwatching, gorilla habituation and guided nature walks. The best time to visit the park is from June to September and December to February.

Mountain climbing

Mountain Rwenzori and Mount Elgon are the most popular mountains where mountain climbing can be done. Though Uganda is always sunny throughout the year, Mount Rwenzori is covered in glaciers which makes Rwenzori ranges the best for tourists looking for adventure. Visitors interested in mountain climbing are advised to first get physically fit so that they don’t suffer from altitude sickness during this activity. Many accommodation options are set up along the mountain for safety thus warm clothes are best for cold nights and mornings.

Mountain climbing is best done during the dry season though the activity has temporarily been suspended due to cracks spotted on the glaciers.

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is home to over 1500 chimpanzees which is the highest number recorded living in the tropical rain forests. It also harbors more than 13 different primate species like L’hoest monkeys, baboons, red tailed monkeys, black and white Columbus monkeys, grey cheeked monkeys, Rwenzori monkeys among others. Activities in the park include a visit to bigodi wetlands, cultural trips to nearby villages, birdwatching, primate walks, Chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation.

The best time to visit is from December to February and June to September.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Located in Southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga is popular for gorilla tracking with one habituated family known as the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Activities carried out in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include cultural tours to villages led by the Batwa guides, birdwatching, golden monkey tracking among others.

The best time to visit the park is from December to January and June to August.

Other safari destinations in Uganda to be thought about for a visit include Semuliki National Park, Nyero rock painting, Jinja city, Lake Bunyonyi, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kasubi tombs, Mabamba swamp, Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda Martyrs shrine, Sipi Falls, kidepo Valley National Park, Kampala City among others.

Safari activities and destinations in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the heart of Rwanda. The park is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga ranges, including the famous Mount Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura and Mount Bisoke.It is a top tourist destination for endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

The main tourist activity in the park is gorilla trekking and the permit costs 1500 USD per person for foreign nonresidents. Other activities in the park include Birdwatching, Golden monkey trekking, Cultural walks and Kwita Izina ceremony where monkey babies are named.

The best season for gorilla trekking is from December to February and June to September.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

 Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best parks in Rwanda for Chimpanzee trekking. It is home to around 13 different primate species like Mangabeys, olive baboons, Ruwenzori monkeys, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, chimpanzees and others. Activities carried out in Nyungwe Forest National Park include Canopy walks, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking in cyamudongo and Uwinka sections, primate walks, cycling, cultural trips, guided nature walks among others.

The park can be visited all year round though its ideal to visit in the dry season.

Genocide Memorial Sites

Genocide memorial sites remind Rwandese about murders committed in 1994 which serve as places for reflecting and remembering those who perished so that they are not forgotten. These sites preserve the memory of the victims and they help educate future generations about the outcomes of hatred. The following sites are in different parts of the country;

• Ntarama Memorial site
• Nyarubuye Memorial site. A school where over 2000 people lost their lives
• Nyanza Memorial site
• Kigali genocide memorial Centre: Here, names of victims are written on the wall and more are still being added. Outside in the gardens is a mass grave and tour guides who help you understand more about the genocide history.
• Gisozi Memorial site where 12000 remains were kept.
• Murambi Memorial site where over 2700 people were slaughtered
• Nyamata Memorial site which was formerly a church. About 2500 people lost their lives in this church and there is still evidence within.

Akagera National Park

This park is located on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania and is the largest park in Rwanda. In 1994, The park was raided, some animals were killed and other species migrated to nearby countries during the genocide. In early 2000s, the park was restored with the re-introduction of 15 black rhinos and lions in 2015.Other animals found in Akagera National Park include hyenas, crocodiles along Akagera river, antelopes, bushbucks among others. Activities in the park include sport fishing, boat rides, bird watching, cultural visits, nature walks, community visits among others. The best time to visit is during the dry season.

Lake Kivu, King’s Palace Museum, Inema Arts Centre, Musanze caves, Kigali City and Gorilla guardians are other destinations to visit in Rwanda.

In conclusion, Uganda is more affordable with a range of safari activities and big game drives in different destinations compared to Rwanda thus making it a favorable choice.  Contact us for more information about Rwanda and Uganda.