Safari in Uganda Vs Safari in Kenya

Safari in Uganda Vs Safari in Kenya : Choosing between a Safari in Uganda and Kenya comes down to ones prefers and unique experiences because they offer different Safari experiences. Kenya offers iconic Savannahs with the big five and lavish beaches while Uganda offers unspoiled dense rainforests home to mans closest cousin the chimpanzees and the majestic Mountain Gorillas to the worlds most powerful water falls. Here are different factors to distinguish and explain the uniqueness of both destinations.

Special attractions in Each Destination

Uganda-Pearl of Africa

Bwindi National Park-Place of Darkness. Sited on 321 square kilometer, Bwindi National Park is renowned for its rich and extraordinary biodiversity hosting ancient montane and lowland rainforest. It derives its name from Rukiga word Mubwindi meaning “dark, impenetrable place” or “a place full of darkness“. The park is recognized as a UNESCO World heritage site featuring large hardwood tree, vines, tight mix of bamboo that block out most of the sunlight from penetrating into the forest making too dense and dark. With an elevation of 1,160m to 2,607m, Bwindi National Park hosts half of the worlds endangered mountain Gorillas of about 450 mountain Gorillas with 21 Habituated families. The park is divided into four sectors Buhoma, Ruhija in the northern side of the park and Nkuringo and Rushaga in the southern side of the park.

main activities

• Gorilla Trekking: guided hikes to habituated gorilla Families.
• Gorilla Habituation: Spending the whole day training Gorillas with scientists and rangers to be hospitable to humans
• Birdwatching: the park hosts 0ver 350 bird species
• Community walks: visiting the local Batwa pygmy indigenous community

Kibale National Park-Home to Mans Closets Cousin chimpanzees. Located in the Western Rift valley’s Albertine Escarpment, the park is famously known as the primate capital of the world, The majestic rainforests host over 13 primate species i.e. Chimpanzees, Uganda mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, Ugandan red colobus, 70 mammal species like the forest Elephants, African Buffalos, Giant Forest hogs, Duikers and bushbucks. The park is also home to over 325 bird species like the Green breasted pitta, Great blue turaco, African grey parrot, yellow-spotted nicator, and multiple hornbill and sunbird species.

• Chimpanzee Trekking:
• Chimpanzee Habituation:
• Birdwatching:

Murchison Falls National Park-World’s Most powerful waterfall. This is Uganda’s Largest and Oldest National Park sited on shores of lake Albert. It is known for Murchison Falls known as the devil’s cauldron where the Victoria Nile forces itself through a narrow 7meter gorge and drops over 43 meters below with aa thunderous roar forming a beautiful rainbow. The park host 4 of the big 5 of Africa and those are Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, and Leopards other animals include the African Giraffes, Antelopes, Elands, primates like Chimpanzees, Patas monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys.

• Game drives
• Sports Fishing
• Viewing the top of the falls
• Hiking the top of the falls
• Launch cruise to the bottom of the falls and Delta Falls

Mgahinga National Park-Where Gold meets silver. The park is located in the Virunga Ranges shared between Uganda Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is home to the Gorilla Family named Nyakagezi and the only place where you can do Golden monkey Trekking in the country. Golden Monkeys are known for their vibrant golden-orange fur and playful behaviour. They are closely related to other monkey species like the baboons and macaques. The park sits on the height of 2,227m and 4127m with over 76 mammals which include Forest elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs, bush back. Forest Buffalos, bird species of over 180 species 14 of which are endemic to the Albertine rift notably the Kivu ground thrush and Rwenzori turaco. Famous activities done in the park include

• Gorilla Trekking
• Golden monkey Trekking
• Hiking
• Birding watching

Crater Lakes. Uganda is home to over 50 crater lakes, holding the biggest percentage of volcanic carter lakes in Africa mainly situated in the western region in the Great Albertine Rift Valley of the country. These include the Following

Ndali Kasenda crater lakes, located in Fort portal near Kibale National Park hosting about half percent of the total carter lakes in the country. Famous carter lakes in the region include the Lake Nyinambuga featuring on the Ugandan 20000shilling note, lake Nyabikere the highest point or top of the world and Lake Nkuruba famous for its primates trekking and nature walks

Katwe Crater lakes, located in Mweya Peninsula in Queen Elizabeth national Park. This is a highly salty region and it hosts the famous lake Katwe. The area has sustained traditional salt mining however it does not support standard wildlife.

Bunyaruguru Crater Fields, situated in the south side of Kazinga channel near Queen Elizabeth National Park. This mass inhabits over 20 craters and these include lake Nkugute in the African shape and lake Nyungu the vibrant green lake.

Other attractions include Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to tree climbing lions and Rwenzori National Park known as the mountains of the moon. The park is famous for its snowcapped ranges yet its along the equator, Jinja the adventure capital of East Africa offering activities like white water rafting, Bungee jumping and many others.

 Kenya-Pride of Africa

Maasai Mara National Park-Great Migration:  As one of Africa’s seven natural wonders, Maasai Mara National Park standout as a true African icon and treasure of wildlife and cultural conservation. Due to its combination of extra-ordinary wildlife, timeless cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, the park wins itself a Global reputation of as a premier destination for witnessing the majesty and wonders of Africa. Below are five exciting things to do in Masai Mara National Park:

• Game drive:  The park is famous for its great migration between July to October and home to the big five of Africa and these are lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards and Rhinos. Other animals include Wildebeests, Elands etc.
• Balloon Safari: One of the most exciting ways to explore the wild from the sky
• Horse riding
• Bird watching: Hosting over 450 species like Common Ostrich, African Fish Eagle, Secretary Bird, Grey Crowned Crane, Malachite King fisher, and Lilac-breasted Roller
• Cultural visit: Apart from being a hub to various wildlife, the park is also home to the Masai people a semi nomadic indigenous tribe in the area known for its variant culture

Lake Nakuru National Park (The pink Lake). Kenya is a birding paradise hosting about 1100 bird species for both migratory birds and endemic birds. One of the birding hubs in the country is Lake Nakuru National Park which is an alkaline lake hosting the largest number colorful pink flamingos where it derives its nickname the pink Lake. Aside the flamingos the park hosts over 450 other bird species like Great White Pelicans, Pied Kingfisher, Great White Pelicans and many other.

Mountain Kenya National Park-Glacier mountains: From the busy city life and normal safaris, Kenya offers a safe haven for hikers and mountain lovers. Mountain Kenya the second highest mountain in Africa and famously known as the mountain of Brightness. Its hosts snow caped ranges found along the Equator

• Game viewing
• Hiking
• Bird viewing
• Camping and caving

Tsavo National Park: As the biggest National park in Kenya, it is famous for its semi-arid savannahs and open plains with the iconic red elephants in the Eastern side(Tsavo East National Park) and the rugged yatte plateau with Lugard falls in the Western region(Tsavo West National Part). The park is also famous for the shetani lava flow, Mzima Springs and rocky ridges. Below are the activities to enjoy in Tsavo National Park

• Game drive (Wildlife viewing) for the big five and that is Lions, Elephants, African Buffalos, Cheetahs, Leopards, Rhinos, Crocodiles, Antelopes, Gazelles Bird include Rosy-patched Bush-shrike, Golden-breasted Starling, Golden Pipit, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Vulturine Guineafowl, Somali Ostrich, Goliath Heron and Eastern Chanting Goshawk
• Explore Lugard Falls and Yatta Plateau,
• Cultural visit
• Hiking Mudanda Rock
• Visit Aruba Dam and Galana River
• Visit Mzima Springs, Walk the Shetani Lava Flow
• Tour the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary

Beaches and costal towns:

Beaches: Beyond the vasty savannah plains and abundant wildlife Kenyan coastline is a true gem waiting to be explored from the powdery white sands to the warm turquoise waters that lap gently at your feet. These include Diani Beach stretching up to 17km, located in the south coast. The beach harbors stunning white sands coral reefs and picturesque palm tress that a create a dazzling atmosphere for beach relaxing and vacation. Watamu Beach, sited in the North coast hosting crystal clear waters and white sands this makes it a tropical paradise for beach and marine lovers. With its crystal-clear waters Watamu beach that offer a chance encounter with the underwater world marine life, like sharks, rays colorful fish and many others. This offers a relaxing and peaceful getaway for those looking to reconnect with nature.

Coastal towns:  From the features of the past, Kenyan coastline blends both Historical iconic features with the present modernity, giving us a blend of the past present and future. These coastal towns include Fort Jesus, Malindi, Lamu old town and Mombasa Old town. Here are some of the activities to enjoy while at the coast of Kenya.

• Tour to the Marine National Park and Wasini Island
• Visit Fort Jesus
• Visit to Haller Park
• Coastal city tour
• Mama Ngina waterfront
• Mamba Villages
• Kitesurfing

Kenya has a tourism destination has lot to offer from the great migration in Masai Mara to the hot springs in Buffalo springs National reserve, Snowcapped mountains of Mount Kenya to the Coastal Coral reefs and from beaches to the Ancient coastal towns.

Which country to visit

Your primary safari interest will determine the destination to visit. For clients interested in Primates and Gorilla safari, adventurous activities like white water rafting and jungle life Uganda has got you covered. For clients in love with Vasty savannahs. Abundant wildlife and beach vacation Kenya is a paradise for you. However, one can enjoy the combination of both countries getting the feeling of the jungle and the vasty savannah plains.

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