530 kms Southwest of Kampala. Access: Flying (scheduled and charter flights to Kisoro [Southern Bwindi] and Kihihi [Northern Bwindi] – approximately 1 hour & 10 minutes from Entebbe) and driving (approximately 10 hours from Kampala)

Nestled down in the Southwest of the country, on the edge of the Western Rift Valley this 331km² of montane rainforest is the only forest in Africa where gorillas and chimpanzees occur together. The world population of mountain gorillas is currently estimated at about 880, half of which live in Bwindi, alongside an estimated 350-400 chimpanzee. In addition, this ancient rainforest - one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age (making it over 25,000 years old) - is home to several other mammals (approximately 93 species) as well as roughly 360 species of bird, including 22 of the 23 Albertine Rift endemic species. The most sought-after activity in and around Bwindi is gorilla tracking; but there is also opportunity for Community and Batwa experiences and bird watching excursions.

840 kms Northeast of Kampala Access: Flying (scheduled and charter flights to Kidepo – approximately 2 hours from Entebbe) and driving (approximately 12 hours from Kampala)

Tucked into the corner of Uganda's border with Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo is a truly stunning park (voted 3rd best in Africa by CNN Traveller in 2013 and 2nd by CNN after Serengeti National park) boasting a real sense of wilderness that enchants visitors. The mountainous terrain of the park is broken by the Narus Valley in the Southwest and the Kidepo Valley in the Northeast; and is more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. Whilst the park is large (1,442km²) most of the wildlife is concentrated within the Narus Valley revealing fantastic panoramic views of vast herds of buffalo with elephant, giraffe, waterbuck and zebra grazing alongside. There are also a number of predator’s present including lion, cheetah, leopard, and spotted hyena. Activities enjoyed here are cultural visits to the interesting Lorukul Village, walking safaris, game drives, night drives and hikes (including the strenuous hike to the remote and rarely-visited, but fascinating, Ik tribe on Mount Morungole).

300 kms Northwest of Kampala

Access: Flying (scheduled and charter flights to Pakuba and Bugungu – approximately 1 hour from Entebbe) and driving (approximately 5.5 hours from Kampala).

The sight of the Nile River, the world's longest river, winding its way through the park and plunging through a narrow gap is unforgettable. The falls are stunning, notable not so much for their size as for their immense power, caused by the 50m-wide Nile being funneled through a narrow cleft (7m-wide) in the rocks before falling into a pool 43m below. The park is vast and beautiful. Predominantly wooded savannah, the 3,980km² area is home to many of Africa's best-known plains animals including giraffe, lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, hartebeests and many more. Fishing beneath the falls is quite an experience where Nile perch and tiger-fish provide an exciting challenge to anglers. Game drives, birding, viewing of the falls and fishing are the main attractions in the park. Southwest of the Murchison Falls area you can find Budongo Forest. It is an ideal area for birders and primates. There are over 800 chimpanzees here.

435 kms Southwest of Kampala. You can Access: Flying (scheduled and charter flights to Kasese and Mweya – approximately 1 hour from Entebbe) and driving (approximately 6 hours from Kampala).

Lying across the equator, this 1,978km² park is bordered to the Southwest by Lake Edward and to the Northeast by Lake George with the Kazinga Channel connecting the two. Queen Elizabeth boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, with almost 100 mammal species and an incredible 606 bird species. To support such biodiversity the vegetation is hugely varied from open savannah to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward. The rainforest in the Kyambura Gorge is home to chimpanzees and the remote Ishasha Sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions with flamingos providing a stunning splash of color on the crater lakes. Game drives, game walks and cultural activities entice visitors here. Hot air ballooning is the latest exciting activity – soaring in the open air over the park is a must-do activity for those who can squeeze their budgets a little. Chimpanzee / primate walks in Kyambura are also high up on the to-do list.