Uganda - the "Pearl of Africa"- is slowly claiming its rightful place as one of Africa's most breathtaking destinations. Nature here is raw, verdant, fertile and teeming with birds and primates. The Queen Elizabeth National Park is shadowed by the magnificent Rwenzori Mountain range, home to open savannahs, rain forests, crater lakes and papyrus swamps. No wonder then that is has one of the highest biodiversity ratings, and is home to over 600 bird species and over 100 mammals, including the Uganda cobb and the Giant Forest Hog.

The Rwenzori (Mountains of the Moon) themselves have eerie landscapes for those that venture up its slopes, from bamboo forests to moorlands dotted with giant lobelias. Bwindi Impenetrable forest in the south- west of the country provides refuge to the endangered Mountain gorillas, as well as to 90 mammals (including 11 primates). Thirteen species of primate and 335 bird species can be found in the Kibale National Park. Murchison Falls is Uganda's largest reserve, 3893 square kilometers of savannah, and is dissected by the River Nile. The Ssese islands, Lake Victoria and the Source of the Nile are further attractions. Kampala is the capital of Uganda. Cultures include European, Batembuzi and Baganda, as well as some Asian. English is the official language, other languages include KiSwahili, Luganda and Runyoro. The Ugandan Shilling is the local currency. Uganda is three hours ahead of GMT.

Seasons: The best time to visit Uganda is late December to late February, and from June to September, as the weather at this time of year is generally dry, and warm. Temperatures average at around 25 degrees Celsius.

Precautions: Compulsory Vaccine: Yellow Fever Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus Malaria prophylaxis: Indicated for the whole country throughout the year. Beware of risk of Bilharzia in lakes and still waters. Medical information supplied by Medi-Travel International.