Gorilla Trekking in Zaire 1994 Getaway Magazine
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is located in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals many larger countries. Here, Eastern savannah meets West African jungle – Uganda really does offer visitors incredible diversity with its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the 3rd highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains and Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, it’s a beautiful country bursting with bird and wildlife.
In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort – not just the great apes, but also more than ten monkey species. And if Uganda will have primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it will have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is by far the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists – in practical terms, undoubtedly the finest bird watching in Africa.
For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where coming face to face with Endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. We have a FAQ page to answer some of the questions you might have about gorilla trekking. Discover tree climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Chamburu Gorge, or snatch massive Nile Perch up north at Murchison Falls where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just 7m wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating; with its white-water rafting, kayaking and bungee jumping activities Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa’s answer to that more southerly “adrenaline capital” Victoria Falls.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover and unique experiences you’ll struggle to find words to do justice to when recounting your time in this jewel of a country.
