Bordering the popular safari destinations of Kenya and Tanzania, landlocked Uganda is located on the equator which ensures a temperate climate and fabulous gorilla tracking that is a great add on to an East African safari or as an adventure by itself. Sharing the Virunga Mountain range with Rwanda, Uganda offers an incredible experience at  40% of the neighbor Rwanda’s price. The impenetrable forest of Bwindi National Park is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, with 14 habituated gorilla families, an experience enhanced by the immense flora and fauna of Bwindi, one of the most diverse forests in East Africa. Uganda lacks much of the infrastructure of other tourist destinations in Africa and most hotel properties can be best described as 3* and 4*, although some 5* properties do exist. Flights from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi can be expensive and aren’t too numerous, so many people choose to take the long drives through the country.  
If you have more than a few days to visit, consider traveling to Kibale Forest National Park, for chimp trekking with a thriving population of primates that include monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees and mangabeys. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a rich topography of dense forest, vast savannah, volcanic craters, and sprawling lakes – home to the Big Five and  tree-climbing lions. Further north, Kidepo Valley National Park offers a unique safari excursion with numerous mammals, massive buffalo herds, and almost 500 bird species. For those seeking water activities, Jinja is considered to be the best white water rafting destination in all of Africa.
Though journeys can be 4-8 hours between locations by vehicle it is rewarding to drive through the small towns and villages to see the unique housing and architecture of the various tribes and to enjoy the welcomes and friendly smiles of the villagers, especially the children who will run alongside the vehicle waving and practicing their English.