Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set against the backdrop of mountain Rwenzori in the Western Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth was formed over 5,000 years back due to volcanic eruptions and the tectonic movements of the earth. It is renowned for Kyambura Gorge, a tranquil slice of virgin rainforest where chimpanzee trekking usually ends on a high note. If you are a big fan of refreshing boat cruises or stunning sunsets, there are 10 lakes that will take your breath away.

Any nature photographer will go crazy at the sight of wildlife densities in the park's open savannah and woodland. It is astounding. There are great herds of elephants, 3 prides of tree climbing lions, massive pods of hippos and vast packs of crocodiles that can often be seen swimming at the Kazinga Channel. Fed by the meltwaters of Rwenzori’s glaciers, Kazinga is vital to the well being of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Without this 32-kilometre (20 mi) river connecting lake George to lake Edward, the park's wildlife could not exist especially peak dry seasons. It is a great spot for lots of elephants with some serious big tuskers among them. Although not great for leopards, herds of buffalos and pods of hippos can be found sunbathing at the shallows. It is also excellent for birding.

A lesser known part of Queen Elizabeth that you can't miss is Maramagambo, a secondary forest with underground caves. It is also a wonderfully peaceful area for spotting bats, savanna snakes and rare bird species like Forest Flycatchers, White Naped Pigeons and the Rwenzori Turaco.

There are lots of lodges in this park that straddles the Equator. This is partly thanks to the availability of convenient airstrips for access. You can also access it by road using 4WDs.

Ishasha Sector

If seeing big prides of lions is on your bucket list, make the sacrifice to visit Ishasha and you’ll never regret it. They hang on branches of fig trees to get clear views of prey roaming the park. These are mostly Uganda kobs, topi and bushbuck.

If you like sipping a glass of wine by the open fire while watching buffaloes and hippos play around in mud baths just outside, then a visit to this place is a must. Lots of cozy lodges overlook a river that runs through it towards the border of Congo. Ishasha River is its name, a permanent wildlife rich environment surrounded by lush jungles.