Best national parks to visit in Rwanda & Uganda
When a tourist is thinking of having an African safari tour that brings a smile on a face, then Rwanda and Uganda should be your first choice countries. Both countries have fantastic national parks and offering a great experience for wildlife. Best national parks to visit in Rwanda and Uganda are very unique in there features. Rwanda is well known for its ease of access and proximate gorilla encounters in Volcanoes National Park, on the other hand Uganda provides a more diverse landscape with the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accessing Rwanda’s National Parks
Kigali International Airport is the main entry point [KGL]. Most visitors fly directly into Kigali and then take a road transfer to Volcanoes National Park which is approximately 2-3 hour drive. If a visitor is coming from within East Africa can also access the park by road.
Accessing Uganda’s National Parks
Entebbe International Airport is the main entry point [ENT]. Most visitors fly into Entebbe and then take a domestic flight to nearby airstrips within the parks like Kisoro airstrip for Bwindi or Kasese for Queen Elizabeth. Depending on your travel itinerary, you can also drive from Entebbe to the parks with road access to both Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Park.
Best National Parks in Rwanda
Rwanda is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and outstanding conservation initiatives. A heap of national parks that offer unique wildlife encounters, Volcanoes National Park particularly known for gorilla trekking. From the lush rainforest of Nyungwe Forest Park to the diverse savannahs of Akagera National Park and Gishwati National Park, the newest national park in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is a base for all Rwanda gorillas. This park provides protection to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area. The strategic location of the Volcanoes Park is approximately 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali international airport, making it the most accessible gorilla national park in the East Africa. In addition to gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to golden monkeys, a wide range of bird species, amphibians, reptiles, and insects, among other animals that provide visitors with an incredible Rwandan safari experience.
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
The lodge offers beautiful views of the rolling hills of the Land of a thousand hills. It consists of 13 bedrooms (double/twin), a VIP cottage.
Garden Place Hotel
The hotel is the best place you would like to have a stay. It is located in Ruhengeri offering comfortable accommodation to travelers. It takes approximately 2hour drive from the airport to the lodge hence easy to access.
Other accommodation facilities include Mountain gorilla lodge, Gorilla solution lodge, Hotel mahabura, Gorillas volcanoes hotel, Virunga lodge and many others to provide a wonderful stay.
Nyungwe Forest Park
Nyungwe National Park is the largest forest in Rwanda and one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. The park supplies two of the world’s largest rivers, the Congo and the Nile with a significant portion of Rwanda’s fresh water. Nyungwe National Park is rich with about 370 bird species, 86 mammal species and 13 of Africa’s primates which include notably, chimpanzee, Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus and Lhotse’s monkeys.
One of the greatest parks for tourists hoping to see some of Rwanda’s amazing endemics is Nyungwe. It is a home to thirteen of Africa’s primate species. There are very many activities done in this park which include hiking and cycling trails, exciting Canopy Walkway, and the enchanting Ndambarare and Kamiranozu waterfalls.
Accommodations in Nyungwe National Park include Budget, luxury and Midrange lodges at an affordable price for all visitors.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park in Rwanda is one of the second oldest national parks and the biggest in Rwanda. The park covers 1,085 square kilometers. . The park is situated in the Eastern part of Rwanda and gifted with amazing wildlife species like lions, giraffes, zebras and hippos. There used to be more than 50 black rhinos and more than 300 lions in Akagera National Park. Over 30% of Akagera National Park was destroyed as a result of ongoing poaching of park wildlife and degradation. Lions and rhinoceroses are among the wildlife species that have gone extinct in the park.
Best National Parks in Uganda
Uganda as a county comprises of 10 National Parks. 12 Wildlife Reserves; 5 Community Wildlife Management Areas; and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Fall is located in Western Uganda in a district called Masindi; Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest of all Uganda parks covering an area of about 3893 square kilometers. It’s one of the best places for Uganda safaris tours. . The park is a home to Buffaloes, Elephants, Crocodiles, Giraffes, lions, chimpanzees and 340 bird species.
Kidepo valley National Park
This park covers about 1442 square kilometers. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda with a population of over 70 species of mammals and 400 bird species. Kidepo Valley National Park is also one of the best places for game drives, where you may see amazing wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best popular national parks in Uganda with one of the best scenery. It covers about 1978 square kilometers and is a home to primates, chimpanzees and over 520 bird Species. There are very many chances of tourists meeting the people within the local communities. And enjoy moments like storytelling, cultural dance and music. It’s the best place to view lions from among the other Uganda national parks.
Accommodations Facilities in Uganda’s National Parks
Depending on the visitor’s preference, accommodations might range from opulent to affordable and mid-range.
Are you looking for the best national parks in Uganda and Rwanda contact us we help you and arrange your un forgettable experience.
