Rwanda is finally easing up on covid guidelines and requirements for travelers entering the country. A new set of covid guidelines for 2021 were announced, by far the most important update for any traveler planning to visit Rwanda is; there is NO hotel quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers that are entering Rwanda.
Over the last many months, all travelers, irrespective of vaccination status had to test on arrival at the airport and then transferred to a designated hotel to quarantine and wait for the results expected to come back in 12 hours. That meant all planning for travel to Rwanda had to include an extra day of quarantine, at own cost moreover. This was discouraging for many as it interrupted planning and increased costs. Those that couldn’t postpone their visit to Rwanda anymore and traveled found the quarantine quite unbearable, you know, having to keep to your room for more than 12 hours and the thought of the results coming back positive would cause paranoia and panic! It was quite dramatic finding travelers at the end of their quarantine and just received their negative results literally running out of their rooms like they were running out of a burning house!!!
Unvaccinated travelers unfortunately will have to go through this experience – test on arrival and hotel quarantine.
Other covid requirements still in place for all travelers to Rwanda:
All travelers have to do a PCR test 72 hours before the time of arrival in Rwanda and produce the negative covid 19 PCR test results upon landing at Kigali Airport.
All travelers will be tested upon arrival at the airport for a cost of USD60. Vaccinated travelers will continue to their booked hotels or homes and self-isolate as they wait for their results. While unvaccinated travelers will be transferred to designated hotels for quarantine and await results.
All travelers must complete the passenger locator form and upload the COVID-19 test certificated and vaccination certificate (for those vaccinated) before taking the flight to Kigali. Here is the link to the passenger locator form: https://travel.rbc.gov.rw/travel
The covid 19 pandemic situation in Uganda has improved a lot from what it was during the Delta variant spread that took the country by storm mid this year 2021. A lockdown had even been put in place for about two months as the delta variant raged. But as we get to the end of the year 2021 there is no lockdown and guidelines are being relaxed favoring travel. Uganda has also been kicked off the red list of many countries which had prohibited travel to and from Uganda. Vaccines have been acquired and the population is being vaccinated.
As a tourist planning travel to Uganda, take note of the following important guidelines:
Negative covid-19 test certificate
All travelers are required to present a negative covid-19 test certificate of a test done not older than 72 hours before your flight to Entebbe International Airport
Testing on arrival at the airport for all travelers
All travelers coming to Uganda, irrespective of vaccination status, will undergo a covid-19 PCR test on arrival at the Entebbe airport.
Testing booths have been set up at the arrivals and as soon as you land you will be directed to a waiting health official to take the swabs from you.
Thereafter you will continue to be cleared at the immigrations and you can leave the airport to your hotel and wait for your results that come back after 2 – 4 hours.
Once results come back negative you can proceed with your travels throughout the country.
If, however, results come back positive you will be required to quarantine at the hotel for some days and undergo treatment till subsequent tests come back negative. All this at your cost. The government also provides free quarantine centers where you can be moved to if you won’t manage the cost of hotel quarantine.
Get your Uganda visa online
All tourists and visitors are required to apply and get their Ugandan visas online. For now, NO more physical acquiring of visas on arrival or at foreign missions and embassies.
Every country has those sensitive issues one needs to be careful about. They may be simply traditions of the locals or particular laws. Rwanda too has things you should tread carefully about when you are a tourist or visitor. As you plan for your gorilla trek in Rwanda, chimp adventure in Nyungwe, big five safari tour to Akagera National Park or a long vacation in the land of thousand hills please take note of the following things you need to avoid. There are obviously many other laws which are similar to other countries’ but the following are sensitive.
Avoid careless talk about the genocide
The genocide happened more than 20 years ago but for a big population of the country it still feels like it happened just yesterday. It left wounds in the minds and hearts of many Rwandans which will take generations to heal. The genocide is a sensitive issue in Rwanda that you should not talk about careless otherwise you risk pricking wounds that are trying to heal. If you want to ask questions or make comments do so with someone known to you and in confidence. They should also be comfortable with the subject, but if they are not, please do NOT insist on the subject. Otherwise there are several genocide memorials and museums in the country that are open for tourists, you can visit one and ask as many questions and they will be answered. An easy one is the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the capital Kigali.
Asking one if they are Hutu or Tutsi
Asking one if they are Hutu or Tutsi is in fact a taboo in Rwanda. After the genocide against the Tutsi, the Rwandan people decided to abandon their ethnic identifications which were a catalyst for division and eventually the genocide. The Rwandans decided to all identify each other as simply Rwandan and nothing more or less. Please desist from asking anyone if they are Hutu or Tutsi, you will cause a lot of discomfort and heartache. There are in fact anti-tribalism laws, so avoid the tribal or ethnic talk all together.
Do not liter!
Kigali City and Rwanda at large have made a name as being arguably the cleanest and tidiest city and country in Sub-Sahara Africa. Kigali is one of the cleanest cities in the world, so much that tourists from first countries are wowed by what they see upon arrival in Rwanda. This level of cleanliness has been achieved because the country decided to move towards this direction, creating a utopia of sorts given the mess that is African cities! As a tradition, every last Saturday of the month all people in Rwanda engage in communal cleaning of the areas around them. Even the president participates! Littering and engaging in acts that cause disorder are frowned upon and so the culture of cleanliness and tidiness has been built among the Rwandan people. Do not liter, urinate in random areas not toilets, walk in the lawns, etc…
Do not bring plastic bags to Rwanda
In a bid to protect the environment the Rwandan government burned the use of plastic bags. Please do not carry plastic bags to Rwanda, they will be confiscated at the airport or the border. If you carry any items in the plastic bag, you have to remove them and leave the plastic bag behind. A paper bag may be provided but at a cost of course.
This initiative is paying off as the capital Kigali is featuring prominently in international publication as one of the greenest cities in the world.
Photographing security installations (and government buildings)
Photographing military installations is prohibited allover the world. In Rwanda it is in fact a taboo! But this is understandable given Rwanda’s past and even the present where the country is faced with many enemies (remnants of the genocide perpetrators). The country is therefore very security conscious! Before taking any pictures in a place you are not sure about please inquire if it is okay otherwise you will be in big trouble after photographing a military or security installation.
Spit in public
Spitting was actually something that was normal for Rwandans and Rwandans were looked down on for this habitat. The leadership took the step to turn this around as one way of uplifting the dignity of the Rwandan people and burned spitting in public. The tradition of not spitting in public has now picked on and you will look awkward when you do it, similar to how the western world looks at other people who pick their nose. So avoid spitting in public, find a bush, trench or bathroom to spit.
Disrespecting/abusing Rwandan women
Rwandan women are some of the most beautiful on the continent and it is said during the time of the African Traditional Society neighboring kingdoms would invade the kingdom of Rwanda just to capture and steal their beautiful women.
If you come with the mindset of the ancient African traditional society to abuse Rwandan women you are in trouble my friend, as the Rwandan woman is one of the most empowered and protected on the African continent. Desist from ogling, molesting and speaking vulgar words to women in public. Respect the women and men too.
The Ssese Islands is the most popular getaway destination in Uganda. The Ssese is a collection of 84 islands located on Lake Victoria. Some islands of Ssese have been developed for tourism, with beautiful sandy beaches, cozy beach hotels, boat cruises, wildlife trails which visitors can take to and observe nature, and enjoy the best fish which you catch from the lake and roast in the evening. The best developed island is the main Bugala Island that has nice beautiful, the most popular being the Brovad Sands Beach Hotel, and a forest for nature walks to spot monkeys and other wildlife. Ssese Islands can be reached by a ferry from the shores at Entebbe to Bugala and it is a 3 – 4 hours
2 – Bulago Islands
Bulago Island is arguably the most beautiful island on Lake Victoria, and is also one of the most accessible from Kampala. It located about 2 hours boat ride from the shores at Ggaba Kampala. The Island has excellent beach hotels and the best beaches. Bulago is perfect weekend getaway more so for couples who just want some time to themselves away from the noisy city! Popular hotels include the Pineapple Bay Resort.
3 – Ngamba Island
Ngamba Island is a small forested island 100 acres is located in Lake Victoria, 45 minutes boat ride from shores in Entebbe. The island has a chimpanzee sanctuary with over 40 chimps, and is a popular spot for day visits to watch chimps for an hour. The island is also a wonderful place to retreat for a weekend and spend relaxing time on the shore of lake Victoria, watch birds, and can also participate in the caretaker programs. Nice accommodation is available
4 – Samuka islands – Jinja
Samuka Island is located in Lake Victoria, about 30 minutes boat ride from the Source of the Nile in Jinja. The island has nice accommodation facility, and is an ideal place to retreat for a weekend and enjoy the tranquility while you can enjoy boat cruises on Lake Victoria and visit to the source of the Nile. The island receives flocks of water birds.
5 – Mabira – Rainforest lodge
Mabira forest is the biggest forest in central Uganda. It is well situated along the Kampala – Jinja highway and can be reached within an hour’s drive from Kampala. A weekend spent at the Mabira Rainforest Lodge in the heart of the forest is a rewarding experience. Immerse in the tranquility and feel close to nature with the sweet songs of birds and chattering of monkeys and different noises of the forest. While in Mabira you can set out on walk in the forest and observe nature, glide through the forest canopy via the Zip line at the griffin falls!
For travelers that want to go on a short wildlife safari in Uganda, say 2 – 3 days, there are two primary choices of parks or destinations to choose from, they are; Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. These two parks are the obvious choices if you want to explore the bush to watch wildlife but have just a weekend or a couple of days.
So, quite often travelers want to know which park they should visit for the best safari experience in Uganda.
Many of the animals most sought after by the safarigoers can be found in both parks such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, etc… Both parks have many similar activities such as game drives, boat cruises and chimpanzee tracking, etc…
In this blog I compare Murchison falls and queen Elizabeth national parks, and highlight where they differ and which one may give you what you are looking for in the safari.
Murchison Falls National Park vs Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drives
Most travelers have found Murchison Falls national park to give a better game drive experience than Queen Elizabeth national park. The game drive session in Murchison Falls lasts up to 4 hours due to longer game drive tracks hence you will most likely spot more types of animals in a morning game drive session. It is also easier to find most animals in Murchison Falls National Park, because, the park is divided by the River Nile into the north and south parts, with the north having the savannah grasslands and therefore hosting higher concentration of animals. Game drivers are therefore done in the northern part of the park.
Nubian giraffe in Murchison Falls NP
Meanwhile game drives in the game watching area of Queen Elizabeth National Park called Kasenyi plains last about 3 hours and you will have exhausted all the possible sightings there. Drive tracks are still limited in the park otherwise the park is quite rich and diverse.
Elephants in Queen Elizabeth NP
The iconic Nubian giraffes (formerly Rothschild’s giraffe) are probably best spotted in Murchison Falls National Park in the entire world. There are no giraffes in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Hence if you want to spot these elegant animals as a top priority then Murchison Falls is the park to go.
Elephants are present in both parks, however on a lucky day Queen Elizabeth National Park can provide incredible sightings of big herds and massive tuskers.
Lions and other cats – which park provides the best chances of seeing lions, leopards, hyenas.
The lion has earned the reputation of the “king of the jungle” and therefore a safari feels almost incomplete without spotting a lion
One of the reasons travelers decide to include both Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park in their itineraries is to increase the chances of spotting Lions, and may be other big cats like the leopard and hyena. However, what if you can only visit one park, which park will give you the best chances of spotting the lions??
Tree climbing lion in Ishasha Queen Elizabeth NP
This is a tricky question because lions and generally cats are very unpredictable in the wild because of their small numbers and wide territories. There is no guarantee seeing them, because nature is nature… Today you can be lucky and find a big pride of lions in the open near the game drive trucks, and tomorrow they could be in a thicket a few meters from the drive track but you can’t see them.
So, lets say chances of seeing lions in either parks is about the same.
However, Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for the tree climbing lions found in its remote part called Ishasha. You would need an extra day to go up to Ishasha to look for the tree climbing lions which are often seen in the morning hours relaxing in fig trees after the morning hunt. Chances of seeing these lions too are 50/50, so there’s not guarantee.
For guaranteed sighting of lions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a lion tracking activity where you join a researcher to track lions under study that are fitted with tracking collars. If you do not want to miss the lions, then book this activity to see the lions.
Murchison Falls National Park is found to give better chances of sighting the leopard, which is perhaps the most elusive big cat.
Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth National Park is hyena country, if you don’t see them during the day your night in the park will be filled with their ‘wailing’ calls.
The boat cruises – Nile boat safari vs Kazinga Channel boat safari
Both Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park have a boat safari activity, a unique highlight of wildlife safaris you cannot find in many safari destinations in Africa. The boat safaris in the parks give great sightings of water wildlife such as hippos & crocodiles as well as up close views of other big game that come to drink and cool off, such close views you cannot easily get on a game drive.
The round boat trip on River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park is longer lasting up to 3 hours, and a variety of wildlife is spotted along the river and the banks, however the biggest highlight is perhaps going to the bottom of the spectacular Murchison Falls, the world’s biggest waterfall. You can also continue off the boat and take the incredible hike to the of the Murchison Falls which starts from the bottom of the falls, giving you incredible views of the waterfall as you hike along it to the top.
View of Murchison Falls from the boat
The boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is shorter, the round trip lasting up to 2 hours. However the channel’s flat banks host a higher concentration of wildlife than the Nile banks which has lots of high cliffs. Other than hippos and crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes are sight on several spots along the channel banks. And for the bird lover, the Kazinga Channel is simply a heaven as hug flocks of water birds, especially wintering birds gather at the channel banks creating such a spectacle of birds.
Scenery
While I can say, Murchison Falls National Park will give you a bigger checklist of animals spotted, Queen Elizabeth National Park makes up with an unrivalled scenery! Queen Elizabeth National Park is located on the edge of the Albertine Rift valley that is a geographical marvel, having a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills and valleys dotted with a series of crater lakes. If you want a safari beyond seeing many animals, then I can say Queen Elizabeth National Park will give you a memorable experience.
Chimp trekking – which park will give you better chimp experience
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the top things to do in Uganda and in case you wish to squeeze this thrilling adventure into your short safari know that both Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park are home to chimps that have been habituated for the experience.
Which would be the best park to combine a big game safari and chimp trek?
Murchison Falls National Park is the best choice for a wildlife safari and chimp trekking. Murchison Falls boundary extends into Budongo forest the biggest forest in East Africa and is home to the second biggest population of chimps in Uganda after Kibale Forest National Park. A troop of more than 100 chimps at Kaniyo Pabidi within Murchison Falls was habituated and offers one of the best chimp tracking experiences in Uganda.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a small population of chimps in Kyambura Gorge forest. Kyambura does not provide good chances of seeing the chimps (50/50), however this unique forest is located in a gorge and is popularly referred to as an underground forest. The trek in the gorge provides one of the most exhilarating forest walks you will ever have. You take in the amazing scenery and a chance to encounter some rare wildlife such as the giant forest hogs. For better chances of seeing chimps when you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park you can do the chimp tracking in Kalinzu Forest which is located less than an hour’s drive from the park. Kalinzu forest has more chimps than Kyambura and gives way higher chances of seeing chimps.
Extra activities you can do – which park will give you a chance to explore more activities in and near the park?
The most popular extra activity to combine with a safari to Murchison Falls National Park is the rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is situated along the way to the park. If you dream of ticking off all famous “big five”, a stop over at the sanctuary will give you the first big five and you will look forward to tick off the leopard, lion, buffalo, and elephant in Murchison Falls.
On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth National Park is great for community and hiking activities. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a biosphere with parts of the park shared between wildlife and humans living in harmony. You can visit a community to experience they traditions and lifestyle, visit a fishing community, salt mining community, etc… The park is also located in the shadows of the Rwenzori mountains that you can visit for a day hike as an extra to your wildlife safari.
Decided on where to go, below are some safari trips to either parks that you can pick from;
