Compare Uganda and Kenya for a Safari

Compare Uganda and Kenya for a Safari

Compare Uganda and Kenya for a Safari. Even though both Uganda and Kenya are East African destinations that are well-known in the whole world. They also have different tourist attractions and different tourist activities that they are well known for individually. Are you planning to visit either of the two countries but you still have not yet made up your mind on which one to visit? Here are some of the facts and comparisons between Uganda and Kenya as tourism destinations. Let us hope that after reading this article, you will have made up your mind on which country to visit. You can also decide to visit both countries in a combined tour, trip, or safari that we at Bujo Safaris can help you prepare.

Wildlife

When it comes to wildlife, both countries are well known for having a diverse number of wildlife; however, some animals are found in either Uganda and not in Kenya or in Kenya and not in Uganda. Some of the wild animals that you can find in Uganda and not in Kenya include the primates (mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys), tree-climbing lions, and Uganda kobs, to mention but a few. The animals that you can find or see while in Kenya include wildebeest, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali ostrich, and Gerenuk, to mention but a few. Apart from the wildlife that these two countries do not share, there are also animals that Kenya has in larger numbers than Uganda.  Animals like the rhinos can be spotted in high numbers in Kenya, but there are no rhinos in all the game parks in Uganda since they became extinct due to poaching, apart from one sanctuary (Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary) and in low numbers. However, it is planned to be re-introduced to national parks the moment they grow in number.

Location

Even though both Uganda and Kenya are located in East Africa, Uganda happens to be a landlocked country since no water body does not surrounds it, but Kenya is an open sea access country since the Indian Ocean borders it. Hence, it has beaches that tourists love to visit when they go to Kenya.

Known / Famous for

Each of the two countries is known for something: a tourist attraction or destination that is well known worldwide. When it comes to Kenya, this country is well known for the Famous the grate wildebeest migration, which takes place annually in the Masai Mara National Reserve. As for Uganda, it is well known or famous for being the primate capital of the world, which is Kibale National Park. This is because it happens to be a habitat for half the population of the mountain gorillas in the African continent.

Tourism activities

When it comes to most tourism activities, these two countries happen to have famous activities that are done mostly by tourists whenever they visit either of these two countries. The most popular tourism activity that is done in Kenya happens to be game drives in Masai Mara to see the wildebeest migration, and hot air balloon rides. The famous or most done tourist activities in Uganda are mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, game drives to see tree-climbing lions, plus visiting the strongest waterfall in the world (Murchison Falls).

Birding

In case you are interested in birding, both countries are good options, but Kenya turns out to be having a lot of different bird species (approximately 1,058 bird species) while Uganda has approximately 1,020 different bird species. However, Uganda happens to have the world‘s rearrests and most famous bird species (the Shoebill stork), which birders love spotting very much whenever they visit.

Climate

However, Uganda and Kenya experience two seasons throughout the whole year (Dry and Wet season). However, the climate or weather can change depending on the destination you are in since they happen to have different altitudes.

The best time to visit

The best time to visit either Kenya or Uganda as a tourist destination is during the dry season of the year, which happens to also be the peak season when both countries receive a high number of visitors or tourists. During the dry season, accessibility to tourist destinations is easier than during the wet season. Also, the weather conditions will be more favorable for both tourists and carrying out most of the outdoor tourist activities.

What to pack for a Kenya safari or Uganda Safari?

There are various things or items that you are supposed to pack when going for a safari, tour, or trip in either of the two countries. Some of these items or things include,

Travel documents

Are you planning to have a safari, trip, or tour in either Uganda or Kenya? You should make sure that you have valid travel documents so that you can enjoy your stay in either of the countries legally. Some of these documents include visas, passports, and Refugee documents for refugees, to mention but a few. You should also consider having exchanged money in the currency of the country you are visiting (Uganda-UGX shillings and Kenya-KE shillings).

Clothes

You should pack comfortable and appropriate clothes and also take into consideration the tourism activities that you are going to be carrying out in the different destinations in either of the countries.

Shoes

Packing comfortable shoes as well should be one of the things you should consider when visiting any of the two countries since this will all be about your comfort and enjoyment. However, you should also remember to pack shoes like a pair of hiking / trekking boots, depending on the activities that you are going to be carrying out while there.

Refillable drinking water bottle

Since you will be doing a lot of activities, it would be wise for you to bring or pack a refillable drinking water bottle since you will need to be hydrated at all times. Also, by having or bringing a refillable drinking water bottle, you will be practicing sustainable tourism.

Insect repellant

Parking insect repellant should probably be one of the things you should not forget since both of the countries’ tourist destinations are covered with vegetation, which is also a habitat for several insects.

Other items or things you should consider packing include sunscreen, a hat or cape, a camera with extra batteries, a travel backpack, a coat or jacket, binoculars, and sunglasses, to mention but a few.

Having read this article so far, let us hope that you have finally decided which country you are going to visit. But in case you have any other questions; you can just send an email to info@bujosafaris.com or send an inquiry we shall be glad to help. You can also choose not to visit one country but both in a combined safari which we can also help you prepare for.