What To do On Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife safari In Uganda And Rwanda

The gorilla trekkingCost Price Of Gorilla Trekking safari and wildlife safari in Rwanda and Uganda has double gorilla safari experience. It is an opportunity to discover the difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. This African safari is unrivalled as you get to enjoy Unique experiences on holiday with varied terrains. Every trail in this untamed jungle immerses you into a mesmerizing African adventure. Enquire now

For game safari experience, Uganda is in the lead with several game parks hosting a variety of  wild animals. You need a well-tailored Uganda safari Itinerary to enjoy the entire adventure. Some of the notable Uganda game safari destinations include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and others.

Even though Rwanda has one game park Akagera National Park in RwandaAkagera National park, there are chances of finding the big five that is lions, elephants, buffaloes, Rhinos, leopards and more

To cross from Uganda to Rwanda and vice versa you use two main border points Gatuna and Cyanika. It is best to reserve necessary visas for either countries in advance to reduce on time to spend at the border.

At Arch safaris And Tours we have custom made tailored Uganda and Rwanda safaris and pre-packaged safaris which are available on our website www.archsafarisandtours.com. Our team of safari consultants is available to meet your needs and help provide relevant information about the different Uganda and Rwanda safari destinations to the best of our knowledge.

Activities To Do In Uganda During the gorilla trekking and Wildlife Safari

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Doing gorilla trekking is on the top tier of the Uganda safaris and Africa at large because these primates are residents of only three countries of which Uganda is part. Misty Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda.

To do gorilla trekking in Uganda, you must book a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Note that Bwindi gorilla permits are reserved based on the four areas under which the park is divided. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park areas include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. 

Golden monkey trekking can be combined with gorilla trekking too but this happens in Mgahinga National Park.

Birding in Uganda is a double opportunity to enjoy during gorilla trekking adventure with chances of finding Albertine rift endemics.

Game safaris during Uganda safari

Uganda is a less discovered wildlife spectacle but rich with game. During the game drives  especially at sun rise or sun set  when savannah gets alive you get an opportunity to see wildlife at its best. While on a game drive on the track of the park you get to see several wild animals in game parks of Uganda. You may get to spot include lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bush bucks, zebras impalas, leopards, aardwolf, giraffes and more.

Note that some wild animals can only be found in particular Uganda game parks so you need to specify what your interest is so that you are advised on which destination to choose.

Some Uganda game parks include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National park. A custom tailored safari itinerary in Uganda gets you to some of these majestic game parks in the country.

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

Uganda hosts some of the largest populations chimpanzees and currently about 5000 are residents of the country but Kibale National Park stands with about 1500 chimpanzees.

One needs a chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation permit to get to see these closest human relatives in there natural setting other than in confinements. Other chimpanzee safari destinations in Uganda include Kaniyo Pabidi forest,

Beyond the chimpanzees, the forests host other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and others.

Water activities On Uganda safari

Uganda may have no coastline but the waterbodies in the boundaries of the country provide that perfect environment to enjoy unique water activities. The launch trips that is in Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park provide that perfect environment to relax.

From the comfort of the launch during Uganda safari, you get to watch an array of animals and water countless water birds find way to the rich banks of mighty River Nile. Enjoy the view of Murchison Falls where river Nile puts on one of nature spectacular shows as it pushes its entire course in a 7 meters wide canyon. River Nile later plunges a 43 meters high cliff at a proximately 300 cubic meters producing a sound that echoes through surrounding land scape.

The launch trip on Kazinga channel in presents life along the water’s edge an amazing environment where you get to see massive pods of hippos wallowing in the shallows, huge Nile crocodiles bask from the banks and more. On a clear day, the glaciers topped Rwenzori rangers come into view. As the sun sets, it casts its golden rays on the surface of the Kazinga channel and more.

White rafting on River Nile which is one of the best sites with dramatic and thrilling moments as you peddle through rough tides. No need for any experience but determination to finally overcome your fears. There are professional instructors to take you through all that is necessary for white water rafting.

Sports fishing during Uganda safaris provides anglers with an opportunity to catch some unique fresh water find species. Some of the possible fish species include tilapia, Nile Perch, catfish, lungfish and more. Carry own fishing equipment and purchase a fishing permit before the sports fishing adventure.

Cultural Experiences on Uganda Safari

Uganda has diverse cultures which you can get to enjoy during a cultural safari. The cultural institutions in Uganda are a representation of different residents in the country. Uganda has different kingdoms including Buganda kingdom, Busoga kingdom, Bunyoro kingdom, Tooro kingdom and others.

Uganda has no official local language to unify the people in the country but they are united by diversity. While in Uganda, you may try the taste of local cuisine, participate in crafts making and more.

 Mountaineering During Uganda safari

Uganda has varied topography with a number of highlands that one who wishes to challenge there fitness level can hike. Mountain Rwenzori which is the highest at about 5109 meters above sea level can be hiked atleast 7 days or more depending on your level of fitness, weather condition and more.

There are other excursion hiking safaris in Uganda you can choose from on highlands like mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, sabyinyo and others.

Birding in Uganda

Uganda is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 1000 bird species recorded as residents a population that is equated to the birding population of the entire Europe. With a professional birding guide you may get to spot a number of birds. Some of the prominent Uganda birding destinations include Mabamba swamp, Mabira forest, Kibale National Park, Mpanga forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and more.

It is best to use the service and a guidance of professional tour operator to customize the best Uganda birding guide. Choosing the best Uganda birding season gives you better chances to find a number  seasonal birds during this Uganda tour.

Activities To Do In Uganda During the gorilla trekking and Wildlife Safari

Rwanda gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the foremost safari activity in the country. In Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris happen in Volcanoes National Park only. At the moment about 12 gorilla trekking families are open to the public some include Karisimbi, Amahoro, Umubano and more. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda are part of the few left in the world with currently about 1000 surviving but more conservation support is required.

To do gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, you need to have a permit which is a document issued by Rwanda Development board. This you present to the ranger guides on the day of gorilla trekking plus other documents for verification.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park with its capital at Uwinka is home to chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Even though Nyungwe forest so far has one fully habituated chimpanzee community, an another at Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the park.

To follow the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest tourists have to attend briefing at Uwinka then proceed into the pack following the trails constructed by regular visitors. The forest is filled by loud voices from the chimpanzees which ranger guides may use as clues to locate these primates. When with the chimpanzees, only one hours is allowed with them for conservation purposes.

More primates are residents of Nyungwe National Park including blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus and others.

Birding in Rwanda

The diversity of birding habitats in Rwanda gives chance to a variety of birds to flock them. While on Rwanda birding safari, some of the birds you may come across include white tailed blue fly catcher, Malachite’s Sunbird, Alpine Chat and others.

Having a professional guide helps you spot a number of birds from different birding destinations in Rwanda.

Mountaineering in Rwanda

Rwanda is a mountainous country with several highlands formed from the tragic volcanic actions that affected its landscape in the past. You can choose to hike some of the mountains, ridges, plateaus and more features that make part of Rwanda.

Some of the significant mountaineering spots in Rwanda include mountain Gahinga, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and others. These Rwanda mountains can be hiked in a day.

Rwanda cultural safari

Rwanda has rich culture which they openly show to the world. While in Rwanda, you can visit the rich cultural centers including the Ethnological center, Kings palace, participate in milking, cow dung painting ( Imigongo) and more.

Attending the intore dance gives you chance to enjoy the wriggling move from the troupes,  rhythmic drum sounds, accompanying mesmerizing local folks songs and more. The Intore dance moves are irresistible and fascinating such that you may be lured to join the crew.

Game safaris in Rwanda

To do a game safari in Rwanda, you visit Akagera National Park. While on a game drive in Akagera National Park where you may find a number of animals including the big five, waterbucks, giraffes, zebras, elands and more.

Even though Akagera National Park is recovering from civil unrest that affected Rwanda in the past that forced most wild animals to migrate or others killed, the recovery is yielding success. 

A boat ride on Lake Ihema provides a stunning moment to relax while viewing wild animals that often  find way to the shores of the lake including water birds.

Nature Walks in Rwanda

While on Rwanda safari, you may choose to make peace with nature by taking a guided walk in some of the momentous destinations in the country. The canopy walk in Nyungwe forest gives a better view of some of the amazing features of the part and surrounding from the suspension bridge. Dian Fossey hike in Volcanoes National park is an opportunity to walk in the last steps of the gorilla hero to her final resting spot.

Primates’ walks in Rwanda gets you to find amazing primates including golden monkeys another endangered species, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and more.

Kigali city tour

Kigali city is where the heart of Rwanda beats and the main business center in the country. During the Kigali city tour, you may visit the museums, shopping centers, have a taste of Rwanda coffee that is locally brewed  and others.

Ensure to start the Kigali city tour early so that you can cover a number of spots before jam.

What Is The Difference Between Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda And Uganda

Both Rwanda and Uganda are home to gorilla trekking but the differences may only be determined at personal basis and according to your aim for choosing to do this safari.

Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris minimum days is 2 days Rwanda gorilla safari making it a possible stopover point for a short time adventure. Uganda’s least number of days on gorilla safari is 3 Days gorilla trekking

Uganda currently has over 20 gorilla families open for gorilla trekking which gives you more chances of finding gorilla permit availability while Rwanda currently has about 12 gorilla trekking families.

From the Kigali airport the drive time to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours which may provide chance for someone to do a 1 day gorilla trekking tour. The drive time from Entebbe or Kampala city to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park is about 8 to 9 hours.

At the briefing point, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has a well built center while in Uganda, Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park briefing points still blend with nature.

The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is steeper compared to Uganda because of the several highlands that form part of the Volcanoes National Park topography.