Key Highlights

🦍 Gorilla Trekking & Conservation

  • Uganda’s Bwindi & Rwanda’s Volcanoes Parks remain open and safe for gorilla trekking—unaffected by nearby conflict in the DRC. However, travellers face financial risk, as travel insurers may not cover cancellations due to geopolitical tensions. Permits, deposit payments, and logistics are largely non-refundable. This is a delicate balance between supporting local conservation-dependent tourism and managing unpredictable risks.
  • Echoing this, community voices reaffirm that—even during heightened tensions—gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park have been considered safe: “It’s very safe to travel through these areas and visit Volcanoes National Park.”

Infrastructure & Lodging Upgrades

  • In Uganda, 2025 is ushering in a new era of luxury adventure tourism:
    • Gorilla Forest Camp in Bwindi has reopened after a full renovation.
    • Silverback Lodge, crafted by award-winning designers, offers 12 lavish “nests.”
    • A new River Station camp on the Kazinga Channel promises a fresh safari experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
    • Additional lodging updates include Kulu Ora at Murchison Falls and Pabidi Lodge in Budongo Forest.
  • Meanwhile, Rwanda continues to enrich experiences with the Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park—a sustainable, natural space within Kigali featuring trails, wetlands, and educational facilities.

Major Events & Sporting Tourism

  • Cycling Spotlight in Rwanda:
    • The 2025 UCI Road World Championships will be staged in Kigali between 21–28 September 2025—the first time this major global race is held in Africa, offering spectators and cyclists a high-altitude, challenging terrain.
    • Earlier in the year, the Tour du Rwanda unfolded safely despite regional tensions. Although cyclists passed close to Goma and Bukavu in the DRC, no incidents occurred.
  • Uganda’s Rwenzori Marathon remains a key highlight in sports-adventure tourism. Held annually in early September in Kasese, its high-altitude, scenic course continues attracting runners worldwide, including elite athletes like Eliud Kipchoge.

Safety & Travel Advisories

  • Rwanda:
    • The US State Department classifies Rwanda under Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) as of July 2025, advising against travel near the DRC-border districts of Rusizi and Rubavu.
    • The UK’s FCDO specifically warns against all but essential travel to parts of Rubavu and Rusizi.
  • Uganda:
    • The UK FCDO similarly advises against travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, areas southwest of Kasese, and Semuliki National Park due to proximity to DRC unrest.
    • Canadian travel guidance recommends avoiding parts of Uganda’s border with both the DRC and South Sudan but allows national park travel when accompanied by reputable guides on safe roads.
    • On-the-ground tourism stakeholders (e.g., lodge managers and Uganda Wildlife Authority) are urging for updated travel advisories, noting that safety has improved and that outdated warnings are hurting visitor confidence.

Cultural & Heritage Boost in Uganda

  • A brand-new Semei Kakungulu Museum opened in November 2024 in Mbale City, celebrating a key figure in Uganda’s history and heritage. Located atop Gangama Hill, it offers a cultural, historical, and environmental experience tied to the Abayudaya community.

Summary: What It Means for Your Uganda–Rwanda Adventure Plans

ThemeWhat’s Trending
Gorilla TrekkingRemains open and safe, but consider booking flexibility due to financial risk.
Luxury LodgingNumerous new and renovated options enhancing safari experiences.
Big EventsExciting sporting events drawing international attention—UCI Worlds and Marathon.
Travel SafetyAdvisories exist—exercise caution near borders. Many visitors still find trips safe with proper planning.
Cultural SitesNew museums and eco-attractions—like Nyandungu Park—add depth to itinerary.