Uganda or Kenya: a guide to choosing your next adventure

Uganda or Kenya: a guide to choosing your next adventure

Uganda or Kenya: a guide to choosing your next adventure,When it comes to choosing the best wildlife safaris in Africa, one region frequently comes up: East Africa. So, you have settled on Eastern Africa as your ideal safari destination, but you can’t choose between two lands of contrasting beauty: Uganda and Kenya.

While both countries are breathtaking in their own right, with phenomenal wildlife, jaw-dropping landscapes, and World-class safari experiences, do you know which one best fits you? Uganda, a mix of ecosystems, ranging from forests, savannahs, Rivers and Lakes, swamps, woodlands, and others. Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks are known for providing World-class gorilla trekking tours.

Kenya, meanwhile, boasts the Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve, a renowned playground for the Great wildebeest Migration us frequented by the World’s best wildlife filmmakers and countless travelers. Also, lots of wildlife congregates at River Mara to take advantage of its lush vegetation and constant water supply hence providing unforgettable wildlife viewing experiences.

Despite sharing an immense border, Uganda and Kenya are incredibly different. While Uganda has its savannah regions, including the phenomenal Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks, it is nowhere near as savannah-dominated as Kenya. Instead, animal-filled landscapes transform the savannah regions into unforgettable game viewing Paradise, especially in the dry season.

However, when it comes to safaris, both Uganda and Kenya boast some of the most unforgettable wildlife-viewing experiences in all of Africa. So, if you don’t plan on visiting both, how can you possibly choose? Well, we have built thousands of bespoke packages for visitors over the years, and this is where it all begins. If you have to choose just one, you will need to be equipped with everything you need to know about safaris in Uganda and Kenya, how they differ, the landscapes, wildlife, safari costs, accessibility of both safari destinations, and the types of experiences you can expect on either side of the border. Allow us to dive straight into it and help you choose the safari destination that suits your travel style.

Landscape and scenery#Uganda or Kenya: a guide to choosing your next adventure

Kenya is defined by low Coastal plains that rise into central highlands bisected by the Great Rift Valley, and deserts. Some highlights in this country include;

• Masai Mara Game Reserve with its sprawling savannah grasslands dotted by various wildlife species.
• Amboseli National Park with Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro as its backdrop. There are also Tsavo East and West National Parks, Hell’s Gate, Nairobi, and Nairobi National Parks.
• Mount Kenya, an extinct Volcano known for being Africa’s second highest peak after Mount Kilimanjaro.

Situated on a Plateau, Uganda is all about volcanic hills and mountains, numerous Lakes and Rivers, savannahs, rainforests, wetlands, and Valleys. Top landscapes include;

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site sheltering almost half the World’s population of mountain gorillas.
• Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo National Parks are home to big game in their natural habitats.
• Kibale Forest National Park, which is home to 1500 of Uganda’s 5000 chimpanzees.

Choose Kenya if you love sprawling savannah landscapes, but choose Uganda if you want lush, forest-based safaris with abundant primate species.

Wildlife and safari experiences#Uganda or Kenya: a guide to choosing your next adventure

Uganda or Kenya: a guide to choosing your next adventure, Uganda is the perfect place to see Africa’s most sought-after primates (mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys) in their natural habitats.

The Pearl of Africa provides travelers with the most unique safari experiences, providing up close and personal encounters with Apes in the wild. Primate tracking highlights in Uganda include;

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks for up close and personal encounters with Giant Apes in their natural habitat. These two National Parks combined provide shelter to half the World’s population of mountain gorillas.
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge (in Queen Elizabeth National Park), Kalinzu Forest, and Budongo Forest (in Murchison Falls National Park).
• Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Kenya is the perfect place to see high-density big game, especially the Big Five Game, and experience the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Magical Kenya is one of the Continent’s best wildlife safari destinations, with an abundance of big cats and huge herds of game. Expect;

• Big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs) and Rhinos, particularly in Masai Mara Game Reserve and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
• Huge elephant population in Tsavo (East and West) National Parks, Masai Mara Game Reserve, and Amboseli National Park.
• The Great Wildebeest Migration, a seasonal movement that involves millions of western white-bearded wildebeests, zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles in Masai Mara Game Reserve.
• Big five game in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Amboseli National Park, and others.

Choose Kenya if you wish to spot high-density big game and iconic wildebeest migration experiences.

Choose Uganda if you wish to enjoy primate tracking (mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys) in their natural habitats. You can see all of the big five in Uganda too, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to so this in one place. Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, and Murchison Falls National Parks have four of these iconic animals (Lions, Leopards, Cape buffaloes, and African bush elephants), but you will have to find Rhinos elsewhere (particularly in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary).

This makes Kenya the clear winner for Big Five safaris, especially in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Tsavo (East and West) National Parks, Amboseli National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Solio Ranch, Lake Nakuru National Park, and others.

Safari costs and lodging

Safari costs for Kenya packages vary markedly based on the traveler’s preferred level of comfort. High-end packages featuring private Camps/Safari Lodges and guides typically range between $800 and $2000 Per person per day, while mid-range packages offer classic comfort with costs ranging from $350 to $700 per person per day, and budget options ranging from $100 to $250 per person per day.

Uganda’s safari costs vary significantly, with gorilla permits taking the biggest chunk of package costs. Permits cost $800 per person for foreign non-residents, and $700 per person for foreign residents. Beyond that, luxury accommodations cost from $600 to $2000 per person per day, while mid range options range from $250 to $500 per person per day.

In conclusion, both Uganda and Rwanda provide phenomenal safari experiences, but the right choice depends on what you are after. Whichever safari destination you choose, you will come to appreciate why these two countries are among the best safari spots in Africa.