Rolling hills, wide-open savanna, tropical jungles, Africa’s tallest mountain range, the source of the Nile, the continent’s largest lake and home to around half of the worlds remaining gorilla population, Uganda certainly packs a lot into one small country. Some call it “The Pearl of Africa” and we can see why.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (also known as “The Place of Darkness” due to its dense treetops) is not only home to around half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas (approximately 350) but provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. Its mist-covered hillsides and ancient forest date back to over 25,000 years and it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular national park with a high biodiversity that includes sprawling savanna, shady forests, glistening lakes and lush wetlands. It is the ideal place for a classic big game safari, where lions have become famous for climbing trees, and it inhabits 96 different species of mammals as well as over 600 bird species.

Semuliki National Park is one of the richest areas for forest birds in Africa. Home to over 440 species this remote jungle is a birders haven. Sought-after species such as; the Long-tailed Hawk, Congo Serpent Eagle, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide and Black-wattled Hornbill, are just a few. The landscape itself varies from forest swamps, Savannah woodland and grasslands to a huge network of hot springs that reach high temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius. Hiking through this exclusive forest you may also come across some intriguing wildlife species such as the De Brazza Monkey, Beecroft’s flying squirrel, water chevrotains, pigmy squirrels, and the blue duiker.

Near the banks of Lake Victoria, Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is a dynamic and diverse city. It is your typical African capital with an impossibly chaotic centre where the streets are filled with shoppers, hawkers and outrageous traffic, surrounded by sprawling suburbs. Kampala is said to be one of East Africa’s most laid-back and friendly cities. Uganda’s only international airport is set next to Lake Victoria in Entebbe 35kms away. Most guests will spend a night here or in Kampala before or after their Uganda Safari.