Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda sits at the heart of the continent, where the landscapes shift from dense equatorial rainforest to open savanna, volcanic highlands to the vast waters of Lake Victoria. It is a country of extraordinary ecological diversity, home to more than half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, the source of the Nile River, and some of the most biodiverse national parks on the African continent. Beyond its natural wonders, Uganda carries a layered history, from the ancient kingdoms of the Buganda, Bunyoro, and Ankole peoples to the legacy of British colonial rule and the turbulent decades that followed independence in 1962.
Travelers will move through a variety of regions, each with its own distinct character. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose ancient forest has remained largely unchanged for over 25,000 years, they will trek to encounter mountain gorillas in the wild, one of conservation's most significant success stories. From the historic town of Jinja, they will explore Lake Victoria, tubing down the Nile, and joining a sunset cruise on its waters. At Mount Elgon National Park, a coffee tour connects travelers to communities whose livelihoods have been shaped by cultivation on the slopes of one of Africa's oldest extinct volcanoes, with the spectacular Sipi Falls and the cultural traditions of the Bagisu people nearby. In Kibale Forest National Park, travelers will experience chimpanzee tracking guided by trackers with deep knowledge of the forest and its primates. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers game drives across open grassland and forest, as well as a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, famous for hippos, crocodiles, and over 600 bird species. In the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, participants will hike to get up close with mountain gorillas, one of the main highlights of the trip. The journey ends at Lake Bunyonyi, where travelers can paddle in traditional dugout canoes, zip-line, ride quad bikes, and explore by cycling safari.
This is a 14-day trip that costs $6,590 led by Follow Alice, a sustainable travel company offering adventurous small group tours that offer hiking, safari and cultural exploration across Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. The company was founded when cofounders Reno and his lead guide Chris climbed Kilimanjaro and made their dream a reality. All trips are led by local guides and 70% of all trip costs go back to the local community. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.