As the “Pearl of Africa,” the country of Uganda is rife with natural wonder at every turn. There’s so much to explore and discover in Uganda, from the lush tropical rainforest to impressive national parks. Uganda is also home to some of Africa’s best wildlife, including half the planet’s remaining mountain gorillas, in addition to being steeped in history and culture.

With so many travel treasures packed into such a relatively small country, it’s easy to see why glistening Uganda should be on your must-see list. Consider the following suggestions when planning your itinerary to Uganda:

Murchison Falls National Park

If you want a pleasant alternative to traditional driving tours, think about planning a boat cruise up the Nile River to Murchison Falls. The Nile’s papyrus-lined banks offer a scenic backdrop for a cruise up the river to the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise offers a chance to view a diverse array of local wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, hippos, as well as myriad exotic bird species. Murchison Falls National Park was once the filming location of the classic Humphrey Bogart film The African Queen, so it’s also a part of cinematic history.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Uganda’s most visually stunning travel gems, and is also an endangered mountain gorilla sanctuary. While most visitors can only spend around an hour amongst these fascinating creatures each day, it is nonetheless a truly rare and remarkable experience to check off your bucket list.

Kibale Forest National Park

Travel to Kibale Forest, home to 11 magnificent species of primates including chimpanzees and mangabeys as well as hundreds of vibrant bird species. Plan a guided primate tour in the Bigodi Forest Swamp or even spend a day with Kibale’s chimpanzee researchers observing the animals interacting. Top it off with a nature walk along the top of the Bunyaruguru Crater.

Coffee Plantations & Salt Mines

Coffee aficionados should take advantage of the wide array of coffee plantations to explore. A coffee tour is an informative way to immerse yourself in the stimulating behind the scenes process of how local citizens grow coffee. A tour of Katwe Village’s salt mines is an equally intriguing way to learn more about the process and history of salt mining in Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Abundant wildlife inhabits this area, including the rare tree-climbing lions that are almost impossible to see anywhere else in Africa. During a driving tour of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you also get a chance to see hippos, baboons, buffalo, and even some of the biggest herds of Elephants in all of Uganda.

Murchison Falls, Uganda