A peaceful watery wilderness that’s often overlooked, Lake Mburo National Park tells a tale of ongoing conservation success and community pride within a Ugandan biosphere unlike any other.

• Lake Mburo’s location in the south-west of Uganda half way between Entebbe and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest makes it the perfect stop off point for those travelling by road.
• Together with 13 other lakes in the area (five of which lie within the park’s borders), Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long swamp system.
• The fauna is unlike that of any other park in Uganda with dense populations of buffalo, zebra, topi, impala and the last surviving Ugandan population of eland, the largest of African antelope.
• The lakes and fringing swamps secrete papyrus specialists including the shy, semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek bird.
• Lake Mburo has historically struggled under ranching, subsistence poaching and drought but restoration programmes have proved successful. The park’s entrance fee also part-funds local community projects.
• Activities include boat trips to see pelicans, hippos and crocodiles on the lake, guided bush walks and game drives.
• The pace is slower and the atmosphere more relaxed than other Ugandan wildlife destinations making Lake Mburo a lovely rest stop in a busy itinerary.

Take a look at: Mihingo Lodge

Its name alone evokes images of deepest, darkest Africa and Bwindi is every bit as ‘impenetrable’ as one imagines, nurturing a community of preciously rare mountain gorillas within its misty folds.

• Sitting in south western Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley, Bwindi represents a small but priceless enclave of ancient forest, thought to be around 25,000 years old.
• The park is famously home to 340 of the world’s 820 remaining mountain gorillas. There are 10 habituated groups which can be tracked by visitors. Sitting in the presence of these magnificent creatures is perhaps the greatest wildlife experience of all.
• Gorilla tracking is highly regulated and strict codes of conduct ensure the welfare of the animals.  Though the gorillas are habituated (meaning they are accustomed to the presence of humans) they are 100% wild and free.
• Visitors may assist with habituating wild gorillas, readying them for human interaction. Four adults are permitted to spend four hours with a new gorilla family in a unique experience only available to the fortunate few.
• The Buhoma area of Bwindi was the first to be established for tourism and is where the main gate is located, along with most accommodation options, a community hospital and a base for hiking, mountain biking and cultural activities.
• The two peak seasons fall in the dry months (June to August and December to February), when the forest floor is less muddy, and the impenetrable forest becomes more accessible.  Gorilla permits are in demand at this time so planning ahead pays dividends.

Take a look at: Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge

Sharing a border with the DRC and Rwanda, Mgahinga is Uganda’s ‘slice’ of the Virunga mountain range. Though tiny at just 33km², it covers critical gorilla habitat on the slopes of the three northernmost Virunga volcanoes.

• Though there is one habituated group of gorillas in the area, they range freely across international borders and sightings are never guaranteed.
• Through the climatically oscillating Pleistocene, the mountain slopes provided a refuge for flora and fauna to move up or downslope with warming or cooling temperatures. They hold great biological importance, witnessed through intriguing guided bush walks.
• Golden monkeys are an ancient group of monkeys that are only found in the Virungas. Trekking to encounter them is an unmissable experience.
• The hiking is world class and challenging expeditions to summit dormant volcanoes or trace the international border are rewarded with breathtaking views and invigorating wild swims.
• Mgahinga offers authenticity, exclusivity and a relaxing quietude that often eludes busier gorilla trekking destinations

Take a look at: Mount Gahinga Lodge

Nowhere else in Uganda boasts such variety. Mountains brood on the horizon, chimpanzees swing though the forests, tree climbing lions lounge in the branches and shoebill storks scowl at flamboyances of flamingos.

• Just south of Kibale National Park and straddling the equator, Queen Elizabeth National Park nestles between lakes Edward and George in the south west of Uganda.
• The Kazinga channel links the two lakes and is best explored by boat. It is home to a huge population of hippos and hundreds of birds including the curious shoebill stork which stands at well over 4 foot tall with prehistoric looks and a piercing glare.
• Visitors can trek to see chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge area of the park where a small population has been habituated to human presence.
• The remote Ishasha region in the south is known for its tree climbing lions and can be spotted on 4×4 game drives. Lucky visitors might also spot a leopard or herd of migratory elephants.
• Queen Elizabeth Park is open all year round, but wildlife viewing is easiest during the dry seasons (January-February and June-August) when vegetation dies back. The latter correlates with peak gorilla trekking season.

Take a look at: Ishasha Wilderness Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge

West African jungle meets East African savannah in Kibale Forest National Park, where chimpanzees hoot through the trees with joyful abandon.

• Kibale sits in the west of the country, adjoining Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for wildlife.
• The forest is a primate hotspot being home to 13 species including red colobus, black and white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboon, manabey, red-tailed monkey, pottos, Guereza colobus and of course chimpanzees.
• 1500 chimpanzees inhabit the forest and the tracking experience here is the best in East Africa. Visitors may spend up to hour in the presence of these charismatic creatures and assist with the habituation process if they wish.
• Lion, buffalo, forest elephant and leopard are present but visitors should temper their expectations as sightings are by no means guaranteed.
• Located just outside the park boundary, the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community-run reserve with a boardwalk trail and viewing platforms designed for birdwatching.

Take a look at: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge

Semliki is a remote, primordial jungle where nature has defied the boundaries of politics to link Uganda with the sultry jungles of Central Africa in a tangle of mighty trees, tribal cultures and weird and wonderful wildlife.

• Confined by the imposing Rwenzori mountains to the east but hugged by the Congolese border to the west, ecologically Semliki shares more with the jungles of Central Africa than those of Uganda. It is unique in being East Africa’s only low level forested ecosystem.
• The park captivates birders and is one of the last few places to spot the prehistoric looking shoebill stork, as well as 45 species that occur nowhere else in Uganda.
• So far 435 bird species have been recorded but this number is set to rise dramatically as more are identified and classified. For ornithologists this is intoxicating.
• In addition to birds there are 300 species of butterfly, nine primate species, forest elephant, buffalo and plenty of creatures found nowhere else in Uganda including Zenker’s flying mice.
• Activities include both day and spot-lit night game drives, fishing in the many waterways and hikes to ancient hot springs and mineral encrusted swamps.
• Though very few travellers venture to Semliki the accommodation is of a surprisingly high quality and you may well have it all to yourself.

Take a look at: Semliki Safari Lodge

At Murchison Falls the mighty Nile cascades through a narrow gap in the Rift Valley in a spectacular, frothing frenzy. Either side of the river, bands of savannah and woodland constitute Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area.

• Situated in the north west of Uganda, the park straddles the mighty River Nile. At Murchison Falls, the water surges ferociously through a gap just 7m wide, simultaneously dropping 43m.
• The park was once known for its huge wildlife populations. Early visitors included Churchill, Roosevelt and Hemmingway and their accounts largely formed the concept of ‘safari’ in the public mind’s eye. It was the first many had heard of such wonders.
• Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo occur in relatively healthy numbers as do Rothschild’s giraffe, Ugandan kob, hartebeest and patas monkey. White rhinos are due to be reintroduced. The burgeoning birdlife includes the rare shoebill stork.
• Travelling by boat to the foot of the falls is the best way to admire the scenery, witness the power of the water and spot scores of hippos and fat crocodiles.
• Besides gentle boating activities, the white waters provide some excellent opportunities for rafting and fishing. Nile Perch here can weigh over 100kg, providing a worthy opponent for any keen angler all year round.

Take a look at: Bakers Lodge

All but forgotten by the international community, Kidepo is a remote pocket of extraordinary beauty and abundant wildlife. Barely mapped and tricky to reach, it’s a unique safari destination cherished by those in the know.

• Tucked in the far north east of the country, Kidepo crosses the Sudan border and abuts north west Kenya. It’s incredibly remote and costly to reach by light aircraft, but worth it.
• Wide savannahs backed by mountains support an astonishing array of wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard, bat-eared fox, Africa wild dog and aardwolf, plus plenty of ungulates and plains game.
• Birdlife is prolific and almost 500 species are present, including 56 species of raptor alone.
• Indigenous communities include the nomadic Karamojong people who share cultural similarities with the Maasai of Kenya, and the hunter-gatherer Ik people who inhabit the Morungole mountain range.
• Top-notch guiding means the walking safaris here are excellent. Visitors can also game drive, hike mountain trails, visit the Kanangorok hot springs and spend time with local communities.

Take a look at: Apoka Safari Lodge