A country the size of the United Kingdom, Uganda is a land of dramatic contrasts where rainforests merge with savanna while open plains sink beneath great lakes and rise to snow-capped mountains. There are 10 National Parks and 12 wildlife reserves to explore, warranting a stand alone itinerary and inviting slow travel. 

 

Gorilla trekking is available in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. For Chimpanzee trekking, visit nearby Kibale Forest, also home to an extraordinary array of birds and 12 other primate species. The Queen Elizabeth Park boasts various ecosystems and is popular for its tree climbing lions and cruises on the Kazinga Channel. Kidepo Valley is the country's most remote National Park in the north-east, where the scenery is the main attraction. It is home to a large variety of wildlife, but don't expect big numbers. For water enthusiasts, there are the Murchison Falls and you can tube down the River Nile. Birders visit the Mabamba Swamps in search of the Shoebill. In short, there is plenty to see and do.

 

With a private driver-guide in a sturdy and comfortable safari vehicle, exploring this country is the way to go. You will learn so much about the country's history and have the opportunity to go off the beaten path, visiting fresh produce markets and tea plantations. A fascinating excursion is a visit to the Batwa tribe in Bwindi, also known as the Keepers of the Forest. 

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Best time to travel: December - March and July - October. Although it rains in Uganda every day, these periods are considered their "dry seasons". 

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