Due to its relatively small size, Uganda has long been seen as a short-stay location; a place to spend a few days trekking gorillas after a lengthier safari in Kenya or Tanzania. However, it has so much more to offer to keep you occupied and happy for weeks on end. The country has it all; Snow-capped Mountains, scenic freshwater lakes, steaming rainforests, rivers with impressive water rapids, eco-logically rich savannahs, semi-arid landscapes, and woodlands. For most people, the star attraction of this welcoming and easily accessible East African country is its 13 primate species especially the mountain gorillas, as found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Nothing beats that special feeling of having one’s soul pierced by the silverback as it stares into your eyes as if trying to tell you something profound. During this half day hike, you will have an uninterrupted one hour with a family of habituated gorillas.

In comparison with gorilla trekking, the gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend up to four hours in the presence of utterly wild gorillas. You will have a detailed observation of their ability to seem ‘human’ through small gestures, movements, and expressions that will leave you astonished. The forest environment in which they live is an attraction itself; mysterious, atmospheric, and alive with colourful butterflies, endemic birds, and of, course lots of towering trees. There are five different reserves where you can track chimpanzees in this country, but Kibale National Park is arguably the best option to don your hiking boots and hang out with these rambunctious cousins of gorillas. The background to this is that it has the highest population of chimps in East Africa, estimated at 1,500. As such, you have a very high likelihood of spotting them. This experience will leave you with a strong appreciation that humans are not the only intelligent beings on this earth.

Other special primates in Uganda include chimpanzees, golden monkeys, olive baboons, vervets, bush babies, pottos, l’hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and black and white monkeys among others. Even better, it is not only the apes that make Uganda a special destination. It’s the over 1,000 bird species (including the prehistoric ones like shoebill). For better sightings, Okavango-style boat excursions into the freshwater lakes and swamps are a must-do. Also chief among this country’s ecological highlights is its tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you have a soft spot for adventurous hikes, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the ranges of Rwenzori. More romantically known as the mountains of the moon, Rwenzori is the third highest mountain in the continent, rising to 5,109 meters above sea level. A four days hike here pays off with a lifetime encounter of snow-coated peaks that are not a sight one typically associates with Africa considering how hot the continent is.

Traditional savannah-style game drives in Uganda can be enjoyed in numerous conservation areas, chief among which are Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo National Park, all of which are endowed with lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards. You can crown your visit to these with a nature walk at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a breeding ground for rhinos. Whilst on a visit to the eastern part of the country, don’t hesitate to visit the source of the river Nile in Jinja for an experience of the sheer power of nature.