UGANDA
Uganda has been called the “Pearl of Africa” because it truly is one of the continent’s most beautiful and precious jewels, with its spectacular scenery – dramatic, majestic mountains, lush tropical rain forests, magnificent waterfalls, glassy lakes more than 1000 feet deep – as well as an incredible diversity of wildlife, including more than 1500 species of mammal and 1,000 species of birds. It is also home to 13 types of primates, including our closest relative – the chimpanzee – and more than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.
For many people, the main reason for visiting Uganda is to come face-to-face with a gorilla in the wild, undeniably one of the most profound and thrilling wildlife experiences on the planet. Other attractions include participating in the gorilla habituation program, game viewing in Kidepo Valley, visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to rare tree-climbing lions chimp trekking in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, hiking in the legendary “Mountains of the Moon” – the Rwenzori Mountain range- which is also a World Heritage Site, boating at Murchison Falls, and for adrenaline junkies, white-water rafting in Jinja on the Nile River. Birders come to Uganda seeking several endemic species, as well as to search for the elusive and prehistoric looking Shoebill stork.
While Uganda combines well with Tanzania and Kenya, but is also a great destination on its own for primate enthusiasts, birders, photographers, and for those who have been on safari before.