Both countries are found in East African Community along side Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is bordered by Sudan in the north, Democratic Republic of Congo in west while Rwanda is bordered by Burundi in south, Tanzania in the East.
Safaris
Uganda and Rwanda are gifted by Mountain Gorillas found in Bwindi impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga forest National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. More so, gorillas earns the two countries much foreign exchange. In other words, gorilla safaris is the leading adventure that attracts tourists to both Uganda and Rwanda.
Both countries are mountainous and Hilly – Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills while south western Uganda is called the land of million Hills (Kigezi hills). The mountainous nature of Uganda and Rwanda act as pull factors for tourists.
Uganda and Rwanda are endowed with primates and apes – they include Gorillas, chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, Baboons, colobus monkeys among others. Such primates are the second thought for after gorilla trekking – in other words, the two countries are home to primates. In Uganda, chimpanzees are found in Kibale Forest National park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura gorge of Queen Elizabeth among others. In Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest is a haven for 13 primate species including olive Baboon, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Red Tailed Monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Angola colobus Monkey, Owl-faced Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Chimpanzees and so on.
Uganda and Rwanda have parks and Game reserves stocked with wildlife. Rwanda has three parks namely Volcanoes National park, Akagera national park and Nyungwe Forest national Park while Uganda has Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park, Kibale Forest national park, Mgahinga Forest national park, Mountain Elgon national park, Mountain Rwenzori National park, Semliki Forest National park, Murchison Falls national park, Kidepo Valley national park and Lake Mburo National park.
Both countries have government bodies responsible for conserving wildlife and protecting Historical and cultural sites – Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Both countries have tourism police to enforce law and order in tourism sector and above all providing security to tourists and their properties.
In Both countries, a person to be allowed to trek Gorillas – he or she must purchase the gorilla permits. Rwanda Gorilla permit is currently sold at US$ 750 while that of Uganda at US$ 600.
The two countries de-campaign the habit of poaching with strongest means – tough punishments are given to whoever caught in the act. Imprisonment and Fine or do both is the penalty to poachers. It is disappointing that in wildlife in both countries are still in danger though the governments are doing their best to avoid the habit.
Boat safaris are organized in both countries – In Uganda on Lake Victoria, Lake Mutanda, Lake Albert, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga channel, River Nile among others while in Rwanda, boat trips are organized on Lake Kivu, Lake Ihema and so on.
Uganda and Rwanda is receives visitors through Airports namely Entebbe and Kigali respectively. Most of the international Visitors use air transport.
In both Countries, visitors need visa apart from East African residents.
