Hollywood saw an incredible storyline from the country which was once referred to as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ and produced the Oscar winning “Last king of Scotland.”

Uganda has gradually slithered out of the astonishingly dark past characterized by the cannibalistic and oppressive President Idi Amin, several coup d’état’s and the racist expulsion of all Ugandan Indians in the 70’s just to mention a few.

A more benevolent regime under the leadership of Yoweri Museveni is metaphorically speaking a story of the phoenix from the ashes with major socio-economic gains. Part of the success story owes its gratitude to the tourism industry made blissful by the numerous attractions and the fact that Uganda tours are some of the most fascinating adventures in the East African region.

At 4, 800metres, on the border with Congo, The Ruwenzori, or Mountains of the Moon rise to expose their grandeur and that of the inhabitant mountain gorillas at its foothills. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in South western Uganda is one of the last refuges of the rare species. Half of the population of the endangered giants resides here and your trip will involve parting with at least $50, 000 for a maximum of 60 minutes with our close relatives. Never mind though, as long as you get to see the gorillas, every second and dime will be worth it.

The Nile River is known to be the longest river in the world and is synonymous with ancient history of Egypt. You could make it synonymous with your wildest dreams by taking up white water rafting along its rapids, which are said to rival those of the Zambezi. Some say it’s the top choice in Africa when it comes to rafting and kayaking. From mild to wild, half day, or two days, up to grade 5 rapids to stir up your adrenalin levels higher with each swerve.

The game reserves have unique variety and even though they were straddled down by over-hunting and war, they have recovered to the point of rivaling the rest of Africa for game viewing. The Murchison Falls National Park in the North of Uganda is a sight worth your time considering the idea of watching wildlife in abundance on the shores of the Nile river. Add the Murchison falls in the background and all you need is a picture frame to create a masterpiece. To wrap it up, you could visit the Ziwa Rhino Reserve and go Chimpanzee Tracking/Trekking in Budongo Forest.

 Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular parks in Uganda and one of the few places where you will encounter tree climbing lions. Yes…no tricks involved. The Park is laden with wildlife, birds and one can engage in chimpanzee tracking/trekking just like in the Murchison falls Park. The icing on the cake in the Queen Elizabeth Park is that you can watch the wildlife, birds and Volcano Crater Lakes from the comfort of a canoe or Kayak as you cruise along the shores of the Kazinga channel. How’s that for an unforgettably unique game drive, or should I say game cruise?

As mentioned above, bird watching’s one of the attractions for the avid birdwatchers and lovers, with more than 1008 different species, including the elusive Shoebill Stork. The beautiful backdrop of the flying beauties is a slideshow of many different habitats from Afro-Montane regions to swamps, from rainforest to lakes, Acacia studded Savannas and rainforests.

The Ruwenzori Mountains present a geographical paradox by having snow capped mountains at the earths’ equator. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is long overdue for a name change since there are presently no more Gorillas in the park. However, it’s a great stop over point for those intrigued with the sight of rare endangered species such as the Golden Monkey. You can also go birding in the bamboo forests, hiking, climbing extinct volcanoes as you enjoy the breathtaking terrains and vistas.

Uganda’s cultural and historical grain is so rich that it would be absurd to leave the country without taking a tour around Kampala. Make sure to visit the Buganda Royal burial tombs of the Kabakas at Kasubi for an insightful eye opener of just how powerful they were. Then there are the pygmies, small groups of which still live at the edges of the equatorial forests in the far southwest. Get a true picture of the real Uganda by visiting the downtown region including the Nakasero Food Market and Owio Clothing Market, the Martyr's Shrine, the Mosque, Bahai Temple and more.

Care to venture off the beaten tracks? Try out the hot springs at Kybiro where the water temperatures scale to the heights of 60degrees and the soils around filled with rich minerals. Sipi Falls are a series of spectacular waterfalls on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and even though they decline in strength during the dry season, the offer a great opportunity for a waterfall trail.

The half day waterfall trail is a very nice hike but tough. With a local guide you can visit the 3 biggest falls and see some spectacular scenery in-between. At the Moses campsite nearby, they offer rock climbing.