Guide to The Great Rwanda-Uganda Wildlife Safari Experience

Going to Rwanda and Uganda for a wildlife safari is the best journey in Africa. These two countries have amazing places. full green forests mountains animals birds and friendly people If you like nature and want to see gorillas lions elephants birds and more, this safari trip to Rwanda and Uganda is a perfect dream. It is very raw wild and real. In this guide we write everything about Rwanda and Uganda safari about animals where to go what to see and how to feel the wild heart of Africa.

Rwanda Safaris

Rwanda safaris are very famous for mountain gorilla trekking. Rwanda is a small country but full of beauty. The top place for safari is Volcanoes National Park. In this park you go hiking up a green forest and see a mountain gorilla in real life. Not behind glass Real jungle, real gorilla family. You look at them; they look at you. Big silverback sits calm, and the baby gorilla plays. It’s a feeling you never forget. Another good place in Rwanda is Akagera National Park. This park is more for savannah animals like lions elephants giraffes zebras buffalo Akagera has many lakes and open plains. You can do game drives here like in Kenya or Tanzania. Also you see crocodiles and hippos in the water. It is less busy than other safari parks so it is a quiet and peaceful experience.

Don’t miss Nyungwe Forest National Park. It is not for big animals but for monkeys and birds. You can see chimpanzees here. The forest is very old and full of green. It is like a natural sound concert—birds, wind, monkeys. It also has a canopy walk, a very high hanging bridge above the forest. A Rwanda safari is good for people who want clean organized and peaceful safari. Gorilla trekking is the top highlight. I need a permit but it’s worth every dollar. Also, Rwanda is a safe and friendly country.

Uganda Safari

Uganda safari is also very famous and wild. It is called “The Pearl of Africa” because it has everything – mountain savannah lake forest and animals. Uganda’s safari is more harsh and crude than Rwanda’s. The best safari put in Uganda is Ruler Elizabeth National Stop. Here you see lions elephants panthers buffalo hippo crocodiles and numerous winged creatures. The Kazinga Channel boat safari is special—you go on a boat and see many animals drinking water and resting near the bank. Hippos everywhere Murchison Falls National Park is another highlight. It has a strong waterfall on the Nile River. Also many lions giraffes buffalo and Nile crocodiles. You go on a boat trip and see a waterfall up close.

Kidepo Valley National Park is far in northern Uganda but very wild and remote. Fewer tourists, more real Africa feeling. Here you see cheetahs lions big buffalo groups ostriches and elephants. The land is flat and open, good for animal watching.

Also Uganda is very famous for gorillas too in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s like Rwanda but with more thick forest and more physical trekking. Gorilla trekking here is cheaper than in Rwanda but has the same amazing feeling. Uganda is best for a mix—savannah and jungle. You see the Big Five chimpanzees gorillas birds and even climb mountains like Rwenzori. The people are also warm and friendly.

Uganda Wildlife

Uganda wildlife is very rich and has many types of animals. You got savannah animals like lions leopards buffalo giraffes zebras and elephants. But I also got forest animals like gorillas chimpanzees and monkeys. In Uganda you can do a Big Five safari. Lions in Queen Elizabeth elephant in Murchison, and buffalo everywhere. The panther in the tree and the rhino in the Ziwa Rhino Haven, Uganda, do not have full rhinos in the spot, but Ziwa is a great venture for bringing rhinos back. Birdwatching in Uganda is top-notch. It has over 1000 species of bird. Very famous is the shoebill stork—a big bird with a dinosaur face. You see in Mabamba Swamp

Gorillas are top wildlife attractions in Uganda. They live in Bwindi and Mgahinga park Trekking is deep and wild. You go with a guide and a ranger. They take you to find one gorilla family. When you see them, it is a peaceful and strong moment.

Chimpanzee is also a top experience. You go to Kibale Forest Budongo or Kalinzu. Chimps are noisy and fast and jump from tree to tree. Very active. Too numerous eland hippopotamus, crocodile, hyena, warthog, bush pig, and jackal. The wild in Uganda is a blend of numerous scenes and numerous animals. Uganda, moreover, has the Rwenzori Mountain, called the “Mountain of the Moon.” If you love trekking and snow mountains in Africa, this is a big adventure.

Rwandan Wildlife

Rwanda wildlife is small in number but very special. Since Rwanda centers more on quality than amount, Volcanoes National Park is best for gorillas. The gorilla in Rwanda lives in a tall mountain timberland. You wake up early, walk in a cold mist forest and after 1–3 hours, you find a gorilla group. They sit eat play groom each other. The silverback is big like a wrestler. It is calm but strong.

Rwanda also has golden monkeys only in Volcanoes Park. They are small, fast, and beautiful colors. Fun to watch In Akagera you see much savanna wildlife. After some years of good animal protection, now it has all of the Big Five. The lion was brought back from South Africa. Rhino also reintroduced So now in Rwanda you can see lions. rhino elephant leopard buffalo Plus giraffe hippo crocodile zebra impala and more

There are also many birds in Rwanda. More than 700 species Good for birding is Nyungwe Forest. Also best for chimpanzee trekking. Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Many monkeys live there—colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, and vervet monkey—as well as butterflies orchids and many plants.

So Rwanda wildlife is small but special. You see primates in forests and the Big Five in savannahs.

Why Choose Rwanda and Uganda Safaris Together?

Best is when you do both Rwanda and Uganda in one safari trip. Because they are next to each other, it is easy to cross the border.

In Rwanda, do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes, then drive to Uganda and do Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi. Or start in Uganda see savannah animals, and then end with Rwanda’s gorillas.

Doing both gives a full safari feeling—forest, gorilla, chimp, savannah, lion, birds. You see all sides of Africa.

Also the culture is a nice mix. Rwandan culture is calm clean and healing. Ugandan culture is vibrant colorful and lively. Both people are warm.

Permits for gorillas in Uganda are cheaper. The Rwanda permit cost $1500 Uganda $700 So some travelers go trekking in Uganda. But the Rwanda experience is smoother, with less walking.

So do both if you want the best of both worlds—jungle and plain gorilla and lion peace and adventure.

What to Bring and When to Go

The best time for safari is the dry season—June to September and December to February. Less rain animals come out more But gorilla trekking is year-round.

Bring light clothes for day and warm for night. Rain jackets are always good because forests can rain any time. Good hiking shoes for trekking

Camera with zoom binoculars sun hat sunscreen insect repellent are all useful.

Health tip: bring malaria tablets and yellow fever vaccine proof. Drink clean water. Listen to guides always in the wild place.

Conclusion

The Rwanda-Uganda wildlife safari is a mysterious trip. You walk in an old woodland and see a mountain gorilla, and at that point ride an open jeep in the savannah and observe a lion thunder. You boat in the river with a hippo, hear a chimp scream, and watch an elephant walk slowly. This safari is not only a trip. It is a hearty memory. The wild animal looks at you and you feel small but alive.