Uganda

The epic experience of any trip to Uganda is sure to be a face-to-face encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. An estimated 400 of these majestic primates live in Uganda, meaning the country is home to roughly half the world’s population. Although you don’t need to be a professional athlete to make the high-altitude trek up the mountains, reasonable fitness is helpful. Thankfully, the adrenaline that comes from the prospect of seeing this magnificent species will propel you upward and if you feel the trek is too much for you it’s possible to ascend with the help of the local human powered sedan chair! Bwindi is also very rich culturally, and during your visit you can interact with the local communities via village and farm tours, cultural walks, and visits to the Batwa ‘pygmies’ or Bayaka people (considered to be the oldest culture in the world).

This stunning park is well known for its dense forest landscape interspersed with savanna and swamps. Stretching to the north and as far south as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale, in effect, creates a long corridor which allows for great diversity in wildlife, with chimpanzees as the main attraction. Over 1,000 chimps are resident here and the chances of seeing these primates within the forests of Kibale are nearly 100%. Its flat terrain also makes it one of the least rigorous destinations for this type of trekking. The park is one of Uganda's top birding destinations, ideal for both novice and seasoned birders.

Originally called Kazinga, Queen Elizabeth National Park changed its name in 1954 to commemorate a visit from the royal monarch. Here, travelers can find the legendary tree-climbing lions or set off on a chimp trek within the Kyambura Gorge, take guided nature walks through the lush vegetation, and boat in the beautiful Kazinga Channel.

Sharing a border with South Sudan, this wild and extremely remote park remains unknown to many travelers. Located in the northeast region of Uganda, 75 mammal and 470 bird species have been counted here, making the park a paradise for ornithologists and avid safari goers. The Kidepo and Narus Rivers divide the savanna landscape, and it is not uncommon to encounter herds of thousands of buffalo, along with the predators who follow close behind. Lions are particularly abundant. Around the park you also find local communities such as the pastoral Karamojong, a hunter-gatherer tribe whose ancient nomadic way of life centers on herding livestock in search of new grasses.

Situated on the bank of the Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park is a classic safari destination where visitors can find four of the Big Five and rare mammals not easily spotted elsewhere. However, the true highlight of the park is its namesake, the magnificent Murchison Falls. Here, the entirety of the Nile River forces its way through a narrow 20-foot gap before plunging dramatically into a gorge over 120 feet below. There are many places from which to view the falls, each offering a new perspective on the power of this mighty river. A favorite vantage point is from a boat cruising along the Nile, as visitors can not only take in the waterfall but also spot massive crocodiles, abundant hippos, antelopes, elephants, buffalo, and plenty of magnificent birds. The endangered Shoebill Stork lives in the marshes at the river's end and is an incredibly rare and unforgettable sighting.