What to do in Uganda

The mist-covered hillsides of Bwindi’s ‘impenetrable’ forest are home to over half the world's population of wild mountain gorillas. You'll depart in the early hours with a seasoned ranger to trek the rugged terrain in search of one of 19 habituated family groups, and once found, spend a precious hour watching them. While the hike can be gruelling, the sight of a fully-grown silverback emerging from the vines or the rambunctious baby gorillas playing close to their mothers is one you won't forget. The gorillas are well-hidden from the world and you'll have the chance to see them just as they are when no one's watching. There is also the option of a habituation permit, where you'll spend up to four hours with the gorillas. Trekking can be done year-round, but the ideal conditions are probably from June to September and December to February when the park is drier and humidity is lower. Trekking in the middle months does, however, attract a lower permit price. The choice is yours!

Take in Murchison Falls at its thundering and most breathtaking on a boat trip to the mist-swirled base. Begin your trip further down the park, where you'll float along the Nile River, passing yawning hippos and crocodiles as they glower from below the water. Formed as the rushing Nile River squeezes through a 7m gap in the Albertine Rift Escarpment, Murchison Falls is a true spectacle and one of the world's most powerful waterfalls. The park's plentiful wildlife often gathers to drink at the base, so you can get started on your game viewing. The falls are at their most magnificent during the rainy season, especially late May and November, when the birdlife is most verdant as well.

Kibale is a thriving hub of primates, from the black and white colobus to the chimpanzees, which are the star players. Led by your expert guide, set out on a trekking expedition through the dense forest to see the chimps in their leafy home, where you'll spend an hour with them. Once you discover their location for the day, watch as they swing through the vines, forage for nuts and fruit, and groom each other. If you're on an evening trek, you may even see the chimps building a nest for the night. Kibale boasts nearly a quarter of Africa's chimpanzee population, which live in three large troops, making it one of the ultimate places to see them up close. The best, most comfortable and least rainy time to go is between June and August, or December and March.

Explore the papyrus swamps of Lake Victoria on a boat cruise in order spy the endangered shoebill stork. It's among these fluffy papyrus reeds where a number of rare, jurassic-looking shoebill pairs live, including a plethora of other incredible birdlife. If it's a more romantic setting you'd like, why not cruise the lake at sunset, where you'll nearly touch the equator.

​Take Africa’s largest lake, pull the plug, and watch as millions of tonnes of water sluice through… That plughole is Jinja in Uganda where Lake Victoria’s contents spill out, forming the Nile and some of the world’s most spectacular rapids. Hurtle down a broiling field of spray, being flung from side to side at the mercy of age old currents, and cling on, heart in mouth, as the raft’s nose rides abruptly over a curling crest – and all this with only helmet and paddle for protection.

While the gorillas may be the stars of the show in Bwindi, it is one of the most ecologically rich rainforests in the world and there's plenty more to see. Join a seasoned guide on a walk beneath the lush canopy, where 350 species of bird dwell, including 14 that aren't found anywhere else in Uganda. There are a variety of well-developed trails, ranging from the short but sweet to seven-hour trails traversing the highest point in Bwindi. Along the way, you may see cascading waterfalls, views of the Great Rift Valley and soaring mountain peaks, and plenty of wildlife. Look out everything from Pel's Fishing Owl to the cinnamon-chested bee-eater, forest elephant and incredible, exotic orchid. While the forest trails are open throughout the year, the dry season (June to September, December to February) will be the most enjoyable time to walk them.

Hidden deep within Queen Elizabeth National Park, visit the 'Valley of the Apes', so named for its impressive menagerie of primates. Most notably are the chimpanzees who live in troops of 30 - 80, almost all of which are habituated. Join your experienced guide as they take you on a journey to find the cheeky, animated chimps as they chatter from their nests, swing from the vines and forage. Seeing them scoop out a line of termites with a stick to snack on is rather memorable. Your guide will share the secrets and social dynamics of these inquisitive primates as you watch them in their natural abode. As it is with many of central Africa's forests, rain is frequent, but the dry season months are from June to July, and January to February.

At dawn or dusk, you'll jump in a 4x4 and be driven to the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It's here that you'll search the landscape for tree-climbing lion, who drape themselves over the branches of giant fig trees. Watch them scramble with agility to a suitable spot, doze beneath the dense leaves or poise ready to hunt for an unlucky topi. The reason for doing so is still undiscovered, it could be to escape the pesky tsetse flies or the heat of the day, but it makes them easier to see. As one of only two places where lions have developed this rare and fascinating habit, it's worth a trip to Ishasha just to see it.

Sprinkled amongst the forests and plains of Kibale, you'll find a number of crater lakes, which were formed following volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. With your seasoned guide leading the way, you'll hike the dramatic and striking 'Top of the World' trail. Walk along the spacious crater rims, sometimes beside mystical green lakes and at other times next to deeply inviting water where you can stop for a swim. From this panoramic viewpoint, take in the surreal landscape of rushing waterfalls, deep green forests and, on the clearest days, the 'Mountains of the Moon'. Then, return to your lodge for a well-earned pamper.

Set out for a magical, 2-hour sundowner cruise as the sun’s final rays set on the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria. Marvel at the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake and enjoy the sublime tranquillity of your natural surrounds, passing local fisherman who are casting their final nets of the day as your boat makes its way to the equator line or a flourishing island. Lake Victoria is a lake of the largest: The most enormous tropical lake in the world and the greatest fresh water lake in the whole of Africa; one of the continents biggest lakes Lake Victoria is equal to the size of Ireland. Fortunate to have such magnificent liquid beauty, Entebbe’s Lake Victoria is home to an abundance of animals that love to frolic on the shore.

Down Africa's mightiest river, the Nile, you'll take to the water for a boat trip in search of the elusive and animated Shoebill. Ironically, they grow up to 1.5m in height). Helmed by an expert captain (and wildlife-spotter), your boat will navigate the enormous papyrus delta where incredible birdlife flutters amongst the greenery. Along the way, you might spy a Rothschild's giraffe swooping to drink or elephant splashing at the water's edge. If you time it just right, you'll make your return journey as the sun sets.

Leave camp just after dawn where you'll join researchers on a foray into the forest, arriving at the chimps' nesting spot just before they leave for a day of hunting and foraging, exploring the vines and romping through the undergrowth. Known as the primate capital of the world, Uganda and Kibale in particular, provides the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help habituate chimps who have often never encountered humans before. If it's intrepid, challenging and utterly magical you're after, this checks all the boxes. There's the choice to return home at noon or make it a full-day experience, where you'll get to see the chimpanzees construct their nests in the canopies. The most pleasant and least rainy time of year for this is between June and August, or December and March.

Leave the hub of Murchison Falls to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only rhinos in Uganda. With an expert guide by your side, head out to track these tough-skinned creatures on foot. After being driven to extinction in 1983, the rhino has been reintroduced to Uganda and there are now 22 southern white rhino roaming freely in the 7000-hectare sanctuary. Whilst on your walk, you might also spot Uganda kobs, oribis and plenty of incredible birdlife.

Join the women of Omwani's Cooperative on a tour of their organic coffee farm. Walk amongst over 1500 Arabica and Robusta coffee plants, see them harvested and processed by hand, then sip on a cup of the finest Ugandan coffee. Learn all about the female-empowerment opportunities this project is offering and what makes their roasts so, so good.

Just before sunrise, you'll rise silently above the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park in a hot air balloon, getting the ultimate view of the sweeping landscape and its herds of buffalo and elephant, prides of lion and furtive leopard. From brushing the tree tops to rising a heady 2500 feet, your flight will be filled with photo opportunities, unbelievable views and plenty of gasps. You'll float wherever the wind takes you for a memorable hour, before landing where you'll enjoy a glass of bubbly and a full English breakfast in the bush.

In the southern-most corner of Uganda, Lake Mutanda sits 1800m above sea level and has long been known as one of the most picturesque lakes in Africa. With its scenic surrounds that vary from secluded villages to the Virunga massifs, Lake Mutanda is well-positioned for mountain biking. On a full day out, begin at on the lake shores, where you may spot African otters and incredible birdlife before cycling through tiny villages and matooke (banana) fields, meeting the local people and seeing Uganda at its most laid-back. There's also the chance to take a more adventurous route into the lush and rugged foothills.

A vast ribbon of water and wildlife, the Kazinga Channel is one of Queen Elizabeth National Park's highlights. And with good reason, it is home to 60% of Uganda's known species of birdlife and one of the world's largest population of hippos - there are over 2000! Enjoy a scenic cruise down the channel on a double-decker boat where your eyes will be pulled in every direction by birds flitting over the water and the endless parade of wildlife that stops to drink along the banks. There is also the option of a private cruise with tea served on board.

Known as the 'Keepers of the Forest', the Batwa are the original people of Bwindi. You'll hike into the forest with an expertly-trained guide to visit the Batwa settlement and meet the tribe, a real honor that not many can say they have had the chance to do. You'll join the women as they cook meals made with ingredients from the forest, meet medicine men and hear how they use the flora and fauna to heal ailments, and learn all about their hunter-gatherer lifestyle that has continued over thousands of years. The Batwa tribe will share their ancient legends and traditional songs, before waving you off.

At Ride 4 a Woman you can learn how to cook traditional dishes of the Bakiga tribe. Wander through their gardens, pick and dig your choice of vegetables and herbs then set to work with the chef in the kitchen.

Work with expert members of the Buhoma community to weave baskets from grass collected from the hills of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Seated on mats in the gardens of Ride 4 a Woman, the women will get you started showing you the skills needed to weave. Once you are confident, you are then free to create your very own African souvenir, which you can then take home. This relaxing activity gives you time to sit and interact with local Ugandan women within their own community, nestled among the misty hills of Bwindi, home to Uganda’s mountain gorillas.