Uganda

Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa for good reason: forest gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and the River Nile, all in one compact country.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the south-west, protects about half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Treks into the thick forest can be steep and muddy, and permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority are limited and must be booked ahead. Permit prices change, so we confirm the current fee when quoting.

Kibale Forest is the best-known place for chimpanzee tracking. Queen Elizabeth National Park combines savanna game drives and boat trips on the Kazinga Channel with, in the Ishasha sector, lions that climb fig trees.

Murchison Falls National Park, in the north, is where the Nile is squeezed through a narrow gorge before dropping onto the plains. Boat trips run to the base of the falls, with good wildlife viewing along the river.