A classic Uganda gorilla safari

Uganda’s pretty second city is a delight to wander around should you find yourself in town for a couple of nights. The city is divided into two main ‘districts’ – Entebbe Town and the suburb of Kitoro. Kitoro is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, markets and bars, ideal for sampling the local culture and cuisine and whiling away a few hours.

Most people are inevitably drawn to the peaceful shores of Lake Victoria. Away from the hustle and bustle of town, sundowners on the edge of the water are an end-of-the-day must, especially if you find a spot on the sand complete with beach-side loungers and umbrellas.

Despite a slight lack of sightseeing opportunities, trips can be easily organised to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and the Botanic Gardens on land, or take a boat to the Ngamaba Island Chimp Sanctuary. Speaking of boats, cruising around the swampy shores of Lake Victoria yield excellent opportunities to find the exotic shoebill stork, which would surely be the cherry on top of any visit to Entebbe!

If there’s one thing that characterises a visit to Murchison Falls, it’s water. Not only is the park dissected by the mighty Victoria Nile, the namesake Falls are powerful, spectacular and a definite highlight. Most, if not all, lodges offer boat trips to the base to soak up the spray (literally), and if you’re feeling active, enquire about a guided hike to the top for the best views. Other water-based activities include cruises on the Nile itself, which should lead to a sighting or two of the magnificent shoebills in the reedy papyrus. This is one of only a handful of places to see them on the continent.

Onto the traditional, there’s plenty of scope for game drives and lots of wildlife to keep your binos happy. North of the river are the savannah plains where lion and large herds of elephant and buffalo roam next to Ugandan kob, rare Rothschild’s giraffe and hartebeest. South is the Budongo Forest, prime chimpanzee habitat where trekking is possible. And in between is the Nile; if you’re not on the water, we highly recommend a game drive along the edge to spot pods of hippo and Jurassic crocodiles.

Hands-down the best chimp trekking in East Africa, most lodges and activities in Kibale are geared around the cheeky apes and forest walks. The trekking experience here is second to none: firstly, the glossy, green and relatively undisturbed forest is a trekker’s paradise and you’ll be searching for primates in the company of larger-than-life leadwood and fig trees, and plenty of birdlife. Secondly, with almost 1,500 chimpanzees leaping around the foliage, the chances of seeing them are excellent. Most treks depart early in the morning when the chimps are at their most active, but afternoon excursions are also possible. Expect to be out for at least 2-3 hours.

When you’re not with the chimps, expect to share walks with vervet, red-tailed and L’Hoest's monkeys, as well as olive baboons and Ugandan mangabeys. Hikes and walks to the crater lakes also offer lovely sightings of smaller fauna and plenty of flora, usually ending with a swim in the clear waters.

The most popular ‘safari’ destination in Uganda, game drives are firmly on the menu in Queen Elizabeth. Most lodges offer two drives a day – one in the early morning with the rising sun, and one later in the afternoon usually at around 4pm. Wildlife-wise, the park is famous for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector, but you may not know that four of the Big Five are present (sadly no rhino) and enormous herds of buffalo and elephant can often be spotted on the open plains. Interestingly, giant forest hogs, elusive in many other areas, are relatively easy to see too.

Away from four wheels, there’s plenty going on. Boat trips down the Kazinga Channel are excellent for bird-watching (and G&Ts and sunsets if birding isn’t your thing), and walks to spot the chimpanzee in Kyambura Gorge are always lively! At some lodges, there are community visits to the local coffee plantations and even dawn hot air balloon trips, making for a full Ugandan experience.

With more than 400 mountain gorilla calling Bwindi home, your days here will more than likely revolve around trekking with the iconic primates. Most guests opt for two treks over a two or three-day stay. Treks depart in the morning (after a hearty breakfast) and, depending on where the gorillas are located, can last up to four or five hours. Trackers will advise on their location in the morning, but come prepared for a long(ish) walk – it all adds to the experience!

While seeing a gorilla is the highlight of any Bwindi stay, spending time in the forest is magical in a different way. Stuffed full of birds – 350 species to be precise – and butterflies, insects and mammals, a walk with an experienced guides will reveal a hidden world. It’s also possible to spot chimpanzee, various monkeys and antelope like bushbuck and forest duiker. For culture-seekers, spend time with the locals of Buhoma village, and discover the rituals of the ancient Batwa tribe, the ‘Keepers of the Forest.’