If you like close encounters with wildlife, friendly people and stunning scenery, Uganda might just be the best place to visit in all of Africa. In fact, this wonderful country offers the complete African wildlife experience with the added bonus of the gorillas. There are 10 national parks covering a significant percentage of the countryside. In the North East, you can spot the big cats, the savannah animals and an amazing variety of birdlife. Down the west side of the country, you’ll see a plethora of elephants, hippos, chimps and more. Plus there are the mountain gorillas. There are just 880 of these wonderful primates left in the wild and you are assured of seeing them in their natural habitat on this tour. Put simply, Uganda offers a wildlife experience second to none.

However, it is not all about wildlife. Churchill was right... Uganda is the pearl of Africa! With stunning scenery, much of the country is on a plateau that ascends to over 5,100 metres on Mount Stanley in the south - the 3rd highest peak in Africa. The landscape is a combination of jungle, grasslands and land that has been cleared for farming. Uganda shares Lake Victoria - the largest tropical lake in the world - as its eastern border with Kenya and Tanzania.

Uganda is a landlocked nation about the size of Victoria. It is predominantly a Christian country with 80% of the 30 million people being of the Christian faith. The West first took real notice of Uganda in the early ’70s when the dictator Idi Amin took power. Dubbed “the butcher of Uganda”, Amin was a military official who, after seizing power, was responsible for the expulsion and murder of hundreds of thousands of people – namely anyone who did not agree with his ways. He died in exile in 2003. Today, the country is at peace. Visitors are attracted by the gorillas which are protected from poachers around the clock. It is a safe place to visit and the hospitality industry is well-trained in service with a smile.

While the recent past of this struggling nation cannot be ignored, it is well and truly open for business. You will be greatly rewarded by visiting. Not just for the gorillas, but also for the people, the magnificent scenery and the culture.