Uganda is divided into 80 districts, falling under four major administrative regions, but for the traveller it would be sensible to divide the country up into major travel areas according to the activities and attractions of a particular area.
Dominated by one of Africa's friendliest and safest big cities - Kampala - the Lake Victoria Region doesn't have the wild attractions of the mountains or rainforest, but there are two good birding areas, the Mabira Forest Reserve and Mpanga Forest Reserve as well as the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria itself.
The centre of Uganda's tourism industry, most of the country's attractions are found here. This region is home to half the world's remaining population of mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
It is also home to Africa's highest mountain range - the Rwenzoris; the game-packed Queen Elizabeth National Park; the scenic wonders and gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park and the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park.
It's where it all happens.
Most of the volatile north is off-limits due to security issues but the region does boast Uganda's largest national park - Murchison Falls National Park - and excellent birding and chimps at Budongo Central Forest Reserve.
This is the place to get your adrenaline kicks: head for the town of Jinja which lays claim to the source of the Nile and experience world-class river rafting.
It's also the jumping-off point for other adventure activities such as kayaking, quad biking, bungee jumping and mountain biking.
Close to the Kenyan border is the stunning Mount Elgon National Park where there is some serious hiking.
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