Rwanda and Uganda are two East African neighbours and both landlocked countries and as such, rely heavily on cross-border trade. Uganda additionally acts as a transit country for goods coming from the Kenyan ports to Rwanda, bounded to the north by Uganda. The two countries have more similarities that differences. Similarities in terms of the climate (tropical), landscape (mountains/hills, savanna, plains and swamps and main wildlife (The Gorillas and Chimpanzees)
Known as the land of a thousand hills because of its breath-taking scenery, Rwanda is sandwiched between the iconic safari destinations of Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda offers guests some of the best primate tracking on the planet. With incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains, travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience including the fun-loving Sykes monkey, the Golden monkey and the boisterous chimpanzee in the Nyungwe Forest.
Come to Rwanda and let its friendly people share their traditional authenticity. Despite unfortunate historic events from its past, Rwanda is a safe and friendly destination – testimony of the resilience of its people.
Conservation organizations, government agencies, and ordinary Rwandans have developed strategies to ensure long-term prosperity for the next generation, founded on the country’s many natural treasures, the best-known of which are the Virunga’s Mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Uganda is a great destination to experience wildlife viewing in both forest and savannah. Not to be missed is gorilla tracking in Bwindi, while chimps can easily be spotted in Kibale Forest Park National Park as well in Kalinzu forest in Queen Elizabeth national park. If you’ve ever wanted to sit with mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat at an affordable price, then a Uganda safari will deliver on your expectations. Boasting a 95% success rate at finding habituated gorilla family groups in the extraordinary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla trekking in Uganda has become one of Africa’s most powerful wildlife experiences and such is its success that the gorilla population is actually increasing.
However, Uganda is not only about tracking the Gorillas, but the country is also home to a range of diverse national parks and is a strong contender for one of the world’s best bird watching destinations. Head for Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth National Park for classic big game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, spectacular waterfalls and river cruises.
Although it’s regarded as a year-round activity, the best time to visit Rwanda for a gorilla trek is during the short dry season from mid-December to early February or over the long dry season months of June to September. These periods offer by far the easiest hiking conditions and the lowest malaria risk.
You can track gorillas year-round in Rwanda, however, remember that tracking during the wet season is more difficult due to the terrain’s muddy conditions. The rainy seasons, from March to May and in November, have perfect conditions for chimpanzees. It’s also quieter then.
Although it’s regarded as a year-round activity, the best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking is during the country’s two dry seasons: January and February and from June to September. Game viewing in Uganda’s savannah parks is best at the end of the dry seasons – February and March and September / early October – when wildlife is concentrated around the remaining few water sources. Bird watching is fantastic all year round but is at its peak between November and April when migrant species are present. We’d recommend avoiding a Uganda safari entirely during the heavy rains of April and May.
