Uganda   lies in East Africa within both the African Great Lakes region and the Nile basin. Aptly named the ‘Pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill, it is home to some of the most diverse and concentrated African wildlife, including the highly-endangered mountain gorilla, as well as the chimpanzee. Uganda has 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves to choose from, offering safaris of all kinds to its visitors. Besides gorillas and chimpanzees, visitors could see elephants, eland, hippos, lions, leopards and more.

One of the most popular tourist spots, Queen Elizabeth National Park, setting on the rift valley floor, surrounded by lakes, escarpments and the snow capped Rwenzori mountain. Highlights in Queen Elizabeth include; The Launch cruise on the kazinga channel, past resident hippos and waterbirds, the improbably scenic 24km crater drive which winds around the rims of extict volcanoes; chimpanzee tracking in the deep, forested kyambura Gorge; and the search for tree climbing lions under the vast rift valley skies in the remote, southerly Ishasha sector.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, another popular tourist destination, boasts a diverse range of ecosystems from savanna grasslands and humid forests to sprawling lakes and wetlands. The area also contains numerous explosion craters and is set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. The park hosts four of the big five (the rhino is sadly not present), as well as antelope, chimps and other primates. Top activities in this area include boat trips on the Kazinga channel, balloon safaris, chimp tracking safaris, birding and cave tours.

On the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley lies the Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls is the name given to the point where the river Nile (the world’s longest river) is channelled through a narrow gorge within the Rift Valley, descending nearly 50 meters below. The Murchison is the only Ugandan national park which contains all five of the Big Five. At present rhinos are being re-introduced as they were sadly extinguished from the area by poachers. This park offers birding, fishing, cultural tours and game safaris, as well as hot air balloon rides where you can see the majestic falls from high above.

Kibale National Park contains some of the most beautiful and varied tropical forests in Uganda. Here the northern and central parts are dotted with patches of swamp and grassland and are situated on an elevated plateau. This park is famous for having 13 species of chimpanzee alone, as well as 70 species of mammals and over 375 bird species. Kibale’s most popular activity is chimpanzee tracking and other activities include bird watching safaris, cultural tours and nature walks and hikes.

Arriving in Uganda

• Most travellers arrive in Uganda by air into Entebbe International Airport.

• If you are already in the region then you can also drive or bus in.

Getting Around

• Most of your travel arrangements will be handled by your tour operator.

• Transfers are mainly by road, charter flights are available but these can be expensive.