Explore the revamped centre of Uganda's hilly capital Kampala or go gorilla tracking in Bwindi. Then get your binoculars at the ready to spot dazzling birds or a tree-climbing lion. If you're into adventure sports, go white-water rafting down the River Nile.
Your first impression of fertile, tropical Uganda will be its famous red earth, lush green hills and the dominating Lake Victoria. Put one foot on either side of the Equator on the Kampala-Masaka highway, or kayak down the mighty River Nile near Jinja. See primates in the national parks of western Uganda, or remote mountainous tribal areas in the east. Uganda enjoyed a smartening-up of its capital Kampala after an international conference in 2007. But you'll find that little else has changed, from the laid-back friendly locals to the nationwide staple dish of mashed matoke plantain with tilapia fish.
See the new five-star hotels in modernised capital Kampala. But don't forget the older attractions like Kampala's mosques and the bustling Indian Quarter. In neighbouring Entebbe on Lake Victoria, stroll the peaceful forested Entebbe Botanical Gardens, famed for their birdlife and monkeys. Enjoy the charming colonial houses of quiet Jinja at the source of the River Nile and call into the Nile Breweries where Uganda's favourite beers are made.
If you've never seen a tree-climbing lion before, head to the south-eastern Ishasha Plains during rainy season. Watch the lions shading from the sun or hear the hooting of chimpanzees in Kibale. Try hair-raising white-water rafting down the River Nile, from Bujagali Falls to Itanda. Then island-hop around the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria to discover remote lush forests. You can go camping and trekking around the steep crater lakes of Kasenda.
