Learn about the top attractions in Rwanda and Uganda, including cultural experiences, scenic adventures, mountaineering, wildlife safaris, and gorilla trekking. Prepare now for the trip of a lifetime across Rwanda and Uganda!
East African landlocked treasures Uganda and Rwanda provide visitors in search of adventure, culture, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes with an abundance of amazing experiences.
Visitors to two adjacent countries—Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” and Rwanda, known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”—will find a wide variety of attractions to satisfy their interests, from adventure sports to cultural immersion.
Uganda and Rwanda are places that can change your life, with activities like monitoring endangered mountain gorillas, visiting lively towns, and relaxing by peaceful lakes.
For your inspiration and guidance, we have compiled a detailed list of the top attractions in these nations for you to peruse below.
Bwindi National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) for gorilla trekking
The most popular tourist activity in Rwanda and Uganda is gorilla trekking, which allows visitors to see the endangered mountain gorillas up close and personal in their native environment and it can be done either in Bwindi national park on Uganda side or volcanoes national park of Rwanda. Other places where gorilla trekking is done are Mgahinga gorillas national park of Uganda and Virunga National Park of Congo.
This is an incredible opportunity to combine a physical challenge with an emotional connection and conservation knowledge. With only roughly 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the world, it is truly a once in a lifetime bucket list experience.
Bwindi national park (Uganda)
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is home to approximately half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A wonderful setting for hiking can be found in the park’s thick, foggy woods. Guests follow in the footsteps of trained rangers as they follow one habituated gorilla family on a guided trek.
Depending on the gorillas’ whereabouts, the challenging hike up and down steep, muddy hills might take anything from two to seven hours. Finding the gorillas is the first step; after that, you get an hour to watch them as they eat, play, and interact with each other.
Uganda offers a more budget-friendly option for gorilla permits for $800, which is lower than Rwanda. However, due to high demand, it is advisable to reserve 1-6 months in advance to ensure availability.
Volcanoes national park (Rwanda)
If you’re looking for a place to go gorilla trekking, your best bet is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Part of the Virunga Mountains, the park is home to Several habituated gorilla groups, and each group can only have eight people tracked each day.
In Musanze, the park headquarters, treks start at 7 a.m. with a briefing, and then hikers traverse bamboo woods and volcanic terrain.
Because Rwanda has invested so much in its gorilla conservation and tourism infrastructure, the price of a gorilla permit is $1,500.
In addition to the profound experience, the well-organized tourism sector and breathtaking volcanic landscapes of Rwanda add to the attractiveness.
Tips: Better trail conditions make the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) the best times to go trekking in both nations.
Get ready for a physically challenging but ultimately rewarding adventure by donning sturdy hiking boots and packing rain gear. One way to help out local people and make the trek easier is to hire a porter. They can be hired for a modest price.
Kibale national park for Chimpanzee trekking and primate viewing (Uganda)
Many consider Uganda to be the primate hub of East Africa, and chimpanzee tracking is at its finest in Kibale National Park.
Immerse yourself in the lives of our closest relatives—chimpanzees and twelve other primate species—on Kibale. These animals share 98.7 percent of our DNA.
What to Expect: As you make your way through Kibale’s verdant rainforest on a guided hike, keep an ear out for the unique sounds made by the local chimpanzee population.
The chimpanzees are the star attraction of the final hour of most two- to four-hour treks, during which visitors may see the primates interact with one another, swing through trees, and browse.
In addition to the vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys all call this park home.
For $250 you can get a regular chimpanzee permit, and for $300 you can get a chimpanzee habituation experience that lets you spend a whole day with the monkeys.
Why It Stands Out: Uganda offers a one-of-a-kind habituation experience that lets tourists spend more time with experts studying and acclimating chimpanzees to being around humans.
By delving farther, we can learn more about chimpanzee behavior and how to protect them than ever before.
Tips: There are few spaces available for the habituation experience, thus it is recommended to book permits in advance. It is best to go on a hike first thing in the morning when the weather is cooler, and visibility is better.
For a more all-encompassing wildlife experience, consider combining your visit with a tour to the adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth national park and Akagera national park for wildlife viewing
Rwanda and Uganda both provide world-class wildlife safaris that display the different habitats of Africa’s most famous species.
In Rwanda’s Akagera National Park and Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, visitors can observe beautiful scenery while hunting for animals, including the Big Five (rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and lion).
Queen Elizabeth national park (Uganda)
Western Uganda is home to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a world-renowned biodiversity hotspot. The park is home to 96 different mammal species, including hippos, elephants, buffalo, and tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha domain. Seeing crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of birds up close on a boat safari through the Kazinga Channel is a must.
The park’s savannas, wetlands, and woods provide a varied backdrop, while game drives offer chances to glimpse leopards and hyenas. For a truly unforgettable experience, you can also choose for hot air balloon excursions.
Akagera national park (Rwanda)
Located just two hours outside of Kigali, the 1,100-square-kilometer Akagera National Park is the sole savanna park in Rwanda, close to the Tanzanian border.
Giraffes, zebras, and antelopes populate the park’s wetlands, lakes, and savannas, and the park’s Big Five credentials have been strengthened by the reintroduction of rhinos and lions.
You can see hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds on boat safaris on Lake Ihema, and you can see animals that are active at night on game drives. A captivating site, Akagera is a conservation success story thanks to rewilding activities.
Tips: If you want to see the most animals in either park, go on a game drive in the morning or late in the afternoon. Binoculars and a zoom lens for your camera are must-haves. For a truly immersive experience in Akagera, try staying at Ruzizi Tented Lodge or another similar lodge.
Jinja for white water rafting (Uganda)
Jinja, often called the “adventure capital of East Africa,” is the starting point for the Nile River as it flows from Lake Victoria.
This lively town is perfect for thrill seekers because to its exciting assortment of sports, including white-water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, and quad biking.
What to Expect: Expert guides offer half-day or full-day white-water rafting excursions on the Nile’s Grade 5 rapids, which are the main attraction.
Visit the Nile’s headwaters on a sunset cruise or go tubing for a more tranquil experience. Jinja is a great place to go ziplining, horseback riding, or mountain biking among colonial-era buildings and lively marketplaces.
Why It Stands Out: Jinja is one of a kind since it offers top-notch adventure activities in addition to the historical importance of the Nile.
The town’s tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking scenery make it an ideal spot to relax after engaging in energetic pursuits.
Tips: To ensure your safety, book with a reputed operator such as Nile River Explorers. For best water conditions, visit when it’s dry. Discover the local markets and cafes of Jinja to immerse yourself in Ugandan culture.
Genocide memorial in Kigali (Rwanda)
Sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Nyamata Church remember the tragic history of Rwanda, which is defined by the 1994 genocide. Seeing these monuments is a sobering yet necessary way to learn about Rwanda’s strength and unity.
What to Expect: Located in Rwanda’s capital, the Kigali Genocide Memorial serves as both a museum and a cemetery for more than 250,000 victims. With exhibits covering the genocide’s causes, events, and aftermath, it offers a comprehensive history of the tragedy.
The eerie Nyamata Church, located 30 miles from Kigali, is the location of the massacre of 10,000 Tutsis. A sobering reminder of the catastrophe is on display for visitors in the form of gunshot holes, bloodstained clothing, and mass graves. Survivors’ tales are honored and given perspective through guided tours.
Why It Stands Out: Symbolic of Rwanda’s incredible comeback, these memorials serve as more than just historical sites. They are a really moving cultural experience because they teach people the value of peace and harmony.
Tips: Get yourself emotionally ready for the visit because it’s going to be difficult.
Proper conduct, including covering one’s body and not taking pictures in sensitive situations, is required. For a well-rounded day, combine with a visit to Kigali’s lively markets or art galleries.
Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Victoria boat cruise (Uganda)
Relax on a boat tour across Uganda’s most picturesque lake, Lake Bunyonyi, and Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, all while learning about the region’s rich history, animals, and landscapes.
Lake Victoria
The Nile River rises from Lake Victoria, which is shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Visitors to the region can go fishing, birdwatching, or take a boat ride on the lake.
From Entebbe or Jinja, you can go on a boat where you can see crocodiles, otters, and birds like the grey-crowned crane. Anyone with even a passing interest in primates should make the boat ride to the neighbouring Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Lake Bunyonyi:
The 29 islands and terraced hills that make up Lake Bunyonyi form a picturesque backdrop, earning it the name “place of many little birds.”
On dugout canoe excursions, history comes alive, bringing to light the infamous abandonment of pregnant women on islands like Punishment. Guests can unwind with breathtaking views at eco-lodges like Byoona Amargara.
Tips: Lake Victoria is not a safe place to swim because of the bilharzia danger. During busy seasons, it is highly recommended to book your accommodations in advance for Lake Bunyonyi. For daytime cruises, remember to bring sunscreen and a hat.
Rwenzori mountains (Uganda) and Volcanoes national park (Rwanda)
Hiking aficionados can go on tough climbs with breathtaking rewards in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains.
Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are home to iconic peaks including 5,109-meter Mount Ngaliema and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Glaciers, alpine meadows, and rare flora, such as enormous lobelias, can be explored on treks that last anywhere from a day to several days. An expert hiker’s favorite path is the Central Circuit Trail.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a great place to go on walks, not only to see gorillas, but also to reach higher elevations, such as 3,711 meters (Mt. Bisoke) with its crater lake or the more challenging 4,507 meters (Mt. Karisimbi).
On these treks, you may come across golden monkeys and uncommon birds as you frolic through bamboo woods and across volcanic terrain.
Tips: For your protection and assistance, use professional guides and porters. Be prepared for the unexpected mountain weather by packing layered clothing. Both areas are ideal for hiking during the dry seasons.
Mabamba swamp (Uganda) and Nyungwe forest national park (Rwanda) for bird watching
Uganda and Rwanda are paradises for birdwatchers, with over a thousand and six hundred species of birds, respectively. The Nyungwe Forest and Mabamba Swamp are the best places to see endangered and unusual animals.
Mabamba Swamp
The enigmatic shoebill, a bird that looks like it sprang straight out of a prehistoric era, makes Mabamba Swamp, in Entebbe, Uganda, famous.
The papyrus gonolek, herons, and kingfishers can all be seen on boat excursions through the waterways of the marsh. It is possible to visit the marsh in a day due to its closeness to Entebbe.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
The Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is home to 310 different bird species, 27 of which are unique to the Albertine Rift.
You can see hornbills, sunbirds, and turacos while strolling along the canopy walkway, which also offers breathtaking vistas. Other attractions include trekking with chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.
Tips: Remember to bring a field guide and binoculars. For the best bird watching, go early in the morning. To get the most out of your time in Nyungwe, do both the canopy walk and birdwatching.
Kampala (Uganda) and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village (Rwanda) for cultural excursion
Participating in local traditions enhances every vacation. Visitors can experience real East African life in the lively marketplaces and clubs of Kampala and in the cultural villages of Rwanda.
Kampala
Uganda (Kampala): The capital of Uganda is a lively metropolis with great historical monuments, commerce, and nightlife.
The Rolex, an omelet wrapped in chapati, is just one of the street foods and local crafts offered at Nakasero Market. Some of Buganda’s most notable historical sites include the UNESCO-protected Kasubi Tombs and the Uganda National Mosque. Bubbles O’Leary’s and the rest of Kampala’s nightlife are well-known throughout East Africa.
Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
Near Volcanoes National Park, in Rwanda, you’ll find the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you can immerse yourself in activities like traditional storytelling, dancing, and crafting.
Discover the Batwa culture and the Rwandan history that preceded colonization. Cultural preservation and community growth are two things that the village is all for.
Tips: A guided walking tour will be your best bet for navigating Kampala’s maze of streets. For a more meaningful experience, try your hand at basket weaving or another hands-on activity at Iby’iwacu.
Ssesse island (Uganda) and Lake Kivu Rwanda for relaxation
Relax in peace and beauty by Lake Kivu in Rwanda or the Ssese Islands in Uganda after an exciting day of exploration.
Lake Kivu
Gisenyi is home to Rwanda’s volcanic Lake Kivu, a popular destination for those seeking sun, sand, and hot springs. Sunset picnics, kayaking, and boat excursions are some of the things to do. Paradise Malahide and similar lodges offer picture-perfect environments in which to unwind.
Ssese Islands
Visit the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria, Uganda, for some beautiful sandy beaches, verdant woods, and outdoor pursuits including fishing, birdwatching, and nature walks. Perfect for couples, resorts provide secluded retreats perfect for romance.
Tips: Prepare ahead of time because there are limited accommodations available, particularly for the Ssese Islands. When visiting Lake Kivu, be sure to check for any safety recommendations and stay away from the hot springs if you have sensitive skin.
