Rwanda is currently more popular than Uganda. This is partly attributed to their aggressive marketing through a couple of European top football clubs including but not limited to PSG, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich.
Rwanda’s flagship tourism activity is gorilla trekking. This activity is possible for almost all types of travelers. Whether you are a couple, a solo traveler, or a group traveler, gorilla trekking is one of those activities that cut across regardless of your category. Some people opt for 4×4 car rentals to execute the gorilla safari by themselves while other often hire the services of licensed tour operators.
Regardless of how you choose to travel, you will have to first decide on where you are going. Whether you are choosing Uganda or Rwanda, the choice remains in your hands. But here are a few guiding thoughts to help you choose between Rwanda and Uganda.
Activities
Uganda and Rwanda’s activities can be classified in five categories. Savannah National Park activities, Boat trips, primate safaris, cultural safaris, and historical trips.
Primate Activities
Both countries offer gorilla trekking safaris and chimpanzee tracking trips. The main difference lies in prices. Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 per permit while Uganda’s gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person.
Regarding chimpanzee tracking, Uganda’s chimpanzee tracking permit goes for $300 while Rwanda’s chimpanzee permit will vary according to the time you intend to spend in the park but quite less than $300.
Therefore, if you wish to opt for a cheaper gorilla trekking option, then Uganda would be the best choice regarding primate safaris
Savannah Game Drives
Uganda has four major savannah national parks; Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. None of these national parks has all the big five in one place.
On the contrary, Rwanda has only one Savannah National Park. That is Akagera National Park. It has all the big game. Therefore if you prefer a national park with all the big five, then Rwanda would be a better option.
Cultural Encounters
Tribal and cultural matters are very sensitive topics in Rwanda. It is hard to ask deep cultural questions without offending a few people. Unlike Rwanda which has chosen to bury its tribal past, Uganda still has a heritage of over 50 tribes.
If you wish to visit a more culturally diverse country, then Uganda is a better option. However, with the diversity, there is also a lot more corruption in Uganda than Rwanda.
Historical Trips
One of the most popular historical activities in Rwanda is the Genocide memorial. Even though Uganda has quite a similar history relating to the civil wars, it is not possible to do any historical tour unless you choose to visit the different re-established kingdoms.
Regarding history, Rwanda is more organized but Uganda has more to offer in terms of the history that rotates around the major kingdoms in the country. You will learn about the different cosmology stories inspired by the different kingdom heritages.
Boat Trips
The marine tourism industry in Uganda is still young compared to Rwanda. There is no major luxury cruise ship in Uganda yet Rwanda has just recently introduced one. Therefore, if you wish to have a memorable marine experience, Rwanda is a better destination.
But, it is also important to note that Uganda has a number of major historical water bodies thus setting it apart. These include but not limited to Lake Victoria (the biggest lake in Africa), River Nile (the longest river in Africa) among several other water bodies.
Transportation
Rwanda has a better road network than Uganda. You will also find the streets of Rwanda cleaner than the streets of Uganda. Generally, Rwanda is better off in regard to transport. However, it is also important to note that it is not possible to rent a car in Rwanda and cross the border yet it is very possible to rent a car in Uganda and cross the border with it.
Flights
Rwanda has more international flights than Uganda. This implies that Rwanda is more accessible internationally than Uganda. It is also important to note that flying into Kigali makes it possible to easily connect to all the parks in Rwanda while in the case of Uganda, there is no national park that is within a 3 hours drive from the airport.
