The capital
Almost every trip passes through Kampala, a loud, friendly city of hills with the Kasubi Tombs, the Gaddafi Mosque, vast markets and the best nightlife in East Africa. Entebbe, with the international airport and Lake Victoria beaches, is an hour south.
The Nile
Two hours east, Jinja sits where the White Nile leaves Lake Victoria. It is Uganda's adventure capital, with white water rafting, kayaking, sunset cruises and the Nyege Nyege festival.
The northern savannah
In the northwest, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest park, where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge. Expect giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos and the shoebill stork.
The western savannah
Below the Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth National Park has the Kazinga Channel boat trip, crater lakes and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Kibale Forest, Uganda's chimpanzee capital, is just to the north near Fort Portal.
The gorilla forest
In the far southwest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park shelters around half of the world's mountain gorillas. Lake Bunyonyi, with its terraced hills and island lodges, is the classic place to rest afterwards.
How to link them
A classic two week loop runs Entebbe, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi and back, with Jinja at the start or end. Drives are long, so many travellers fly one leg on a domestic flight. Use the free trip planner to find a pace that suits you.