Uganda vs Rwanda
Uganda vs Rwanda Safari: Which African safari is better?
Compare Uganda vs Rwanda as a travel destination when planning your next Africa safari adventure. Planning to take a safari in Uganda or Rwanda? Are you not yet decided with which destination to visit on your next trip?
Here we compare the experience from both countries focusing on common safaris that can be done in Uganda vs Rwanda. Make an informed choice for your next safari!
Uganda and Rwanda have almost the same weather conditions although Uganda is a bit hotter. Rwanda is a mountainous country and so do the southern parts of Uganda neighbouring Rwanda, Northern Uganda is more of flat land.
Both countries are secure and open to people from all walks of life. Uganda has more national parks where Rwanda has the most accessible parks.
Uganda and Rwanda are among the major tourist destinations in Africa. Both countries are in East African community together with Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi.
Being neighboring countries, Uganda and Rwanda have some similar tours discussed below:
Uganda vs Rwanda Tour Activities;
Gorilla Trekking Tours.
Uganda and Rwanda are the best places on planet earth to see the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking safaris are conducted daily in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
It should be noted that Uganda has the highest population of the mountain gorillas. Within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are 15 habituated Gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists. Rwanda has only ten habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists.
Where to get the best deal: In terms of costs, Rwanda gorilla permit is expensive compared to that of Uganda at US$ 1500 (For non residents). In Uganda, the gorilla permit cost US$ 700 (None residents), US$ 600 (Foreign residents) and UGX 250000 for Ugandan citizens. The costs are based on per person per trek.
DEAL: Uganda offers a cheaper option to see the mountain gorillas. You can save USD800 on just the gorilla permits thus making a Uganda safari cheaper and more affordable.
Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris.
Uganda is the best destination to track chimpanzees in Africa. The country hosts a good number of places where to track chimpanzees!
In Uganda, Chimpanzee trekking trips are done in Kibale Forest National park, Toro – Semliki Game reserve, Budongo Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park.
In Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking is done in Nyungwe Forest national park, the only tropical rain forest in the country.
Recommended: Uganda is the best destination for chimpanzee tracking in Africa. The most popular places with a high success rate of seeing the chimpanzees is Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest and Kalinzu Forest.
3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Kibale.
You may also be interested in; Gorillas Vs Chimpanzees.
Golden Monkey Trekking Trips.
In Uganda golden monkey trekking is conducted in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while in Rwanda while in Rwanda it’s done in Volcanoes National Park.
The cost for golden monkey trekking is US$50 per person per trek in Uganda. Within Rwanda; it cost US$ 100 per person per trek.
DEAL: The Volcanoes National Park is the most popular destination for golden monkey tracking.
8 Days Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife Tour.
Boat Cruises.
In Rwanda, boat trips are done on Twin Lake: Ruhondo and Burera, Lake Ihema in Akagera national park, Lake Kivu among others.
In Uganda, it’s done on Lake Bunyonyi, River Nile, Lake Mutanda, Lake Wamala, Lake Victoria, lake Gorge, Lake Edward, Kazinga Channel to mention but a few.
The boat exposes tourists to water loving creatures like birds, animals, and plants and so on.
Cultural Visits.
In Rwanda cultural safaris are done at Iby’iwacu cultural village, Nyanza old Palace among others. Uganda has many cultural sites to visit and they include Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s lake, Kabaka’s palaces, Batwa community among others.
Tourists get to study about the African culture, enjoy music, dance and drama. Sometimes, they participate hence making their safari educative and enjoyable.
Adrenaline.
You can go for zip-lining, kayaking and quad biking in both countries. Although, in Uganda, you can go for white-water rafting, bungee jumping which can not be experienced in Rwanda.
Canopy walk is on the other hand done in Rwanda only.
Mountain Climbing Tours.
In Uganda, it’s done on Mountain Rwenzori, mountain Elgon and so on. Rwanda has Karisimbi Volcano, Muhabura Volcano, Sabyinyo Volcano among others. The climb starts in the morning and end late afternoon.
Nature Walks
Nature walks can also be done in both countries where you will visit water bodies, forest, valleys, and hills among others.