After meeting the group, we hopped on a jeep to get to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a place where the endangered white rhinos roam freely and where you can see them up close, before heading to Murchison Falls National Park.

Sailing on the Nile and trekking to the waterfalls, an experience not to be missed, was one of the most thrilling parts of the trip despite the intense heat and high humidity that made your clothes cling to your skin.

In this canyon that develops along its path, the Nile shrinks to 7 meters wide and 45 meters high, resulting in a burst of water that creates a constant rainbow and a refreshing mist after the climb.

Accompanied by stories from the guide about the spirits thought to live in these waters.

We saw the sunrise over the savannah, where the air carried the scent of dawn and the colors became vibrant in a timeless setting filled with a variety of wild animals like buffalo, antelopes, hyenas, and different birds as far as you could see, giving a feeling of endless space that I will never fully witness, not even in a lifetime.

From within my cabin by the Nile, under a starry sky, I could hear the sounds of nature and the hippos' calls. In the quiet of the night, they would emerge from the water with their heavy footsteps to graze nearby, hidden by the darkness, only to vanish by dawn as if nothing occurred.

During our trip down south, Fort Portal town introduced us to African commotion as we navigated through the lively local market before heading to Kibale National Park.

The chimpanzees are the true stars of the show.

Guided by the sounds of the trees, we followed our guide into the jungle during heavy rain, as he used his machete to clear a path until he found chimpanzees jumping between trees.

A man descended to the ground, and we trailed him to observe as he ate calmly and undisturbed just a few meters away, paying no attention to us.

Our upcoming destination, Queen Elizabeth National Park, got its name from a visit by Queen Elizabeth and is a popular spot for easily spotting lions, the kings of the savannah and the highlight of Big Five safari trips, along with the friendly yet perilous hippos.

A vast number of elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and pelicans can be seen in the waters of the Kazinga Channel. From our boat, we observed them sharing the banks with the residents of numerous villages along the channel. It's a great illustration of animals and humans living together in perfect harmony, where safeguarding the flora and fauna not only benefits the locals by boosting tourism but also helps replenish the fish population in the channel.

The students, organized into classes without any clear criteria for me, were cheerful and smiling despite the obvious difficulties. They were happy to interrupt their lessons to welcome us and tell us about their day thanks to English as a common language.

They even serenaded us with a song as a farewell present!!

"Today, a lot of students are absent because it rained last night, and many kids are busy assisting their families in the fields," the principal explained as she walked us through the school, where we visited both the elementary and middle school classrooms.

The school complex entrance, situated in a neighborhood with run-down buildings and basic furnishings, made me realize how fortunate we are in the Western world, even with our shortcomings, where we have access to various services and amenities.

The tour proceeded to one of the numerous coffee farms located in the southern region of the country. These farms consist of vibrant green fields bordered by banana palms, avocado trees, pineapple plants, and lush green tea plantations, forming a colorful palette in lively African hues.

They said that six months after planting the seed, the pineapple plant would produce its first fruit. They were talking about the perfect mix of sun and rain that makes this land so fertile and valuable, and the abundant vegetation was a sight to behold.

While driving up the dusty mountain roads towards the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, near the Congo border, I gazed out of the jeep window, making sure to keep my eyes wide open to take in every bit of the beautiful scenery. The landscape was adorned with quaint villages and children dressed in vibrant clothes, strolling barefoot along the roadside, waving at us as we drove past.

There, we were greeted by the trackers who were searching for the renowned Mountain Gorillas, the main attraction of Ugandan tourism.

I won't go on about the feeling of meeting the Mountain Gorillas, the thrill of locking eyes with them up close, and the sense of being in front of an animal as majestic as it is gentle that I would have hugged if I could.

It's definitely worth venturing into the steep forest, appropriately named, to spend some time just a few meters away from them for about an hour, observing as they come down to the ground to eat leaves and relax.

If you're considering it, don't hesitate to try this challenging experience that demands good physical fitness and the skill to navigate the steep and slippery forest slopes.

Among these mountains, a constant mist flows through the valleys, adding a sense of mystery to the region and the village located on the outskirts of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Here, you can find great chances to meet the locals and make some good buys.

The primary road is flanked by wooden huts where vendors attempt to catch your eye and persuade you to purchase. Following a short discussion, you can acquire a wonderful array of local handicrafts including wooden statues and masks, colorful beaded costume jewelry, and drums of various sizes and types.

I bought a lovely wooden mask that I now proudly showcase in my living room. I often gaze at it with a smile, reminiscing about the moment I bought it.

Lake Bunyonyi is an ideal spot to unwind after the exhaustion and feelings from the Gorilla encounter.

Along its shores, there are charming resorts with a cool climate and laid-back vibe. These resorts serve as starting points for boat trips on the lake, offering easy sightings of Uganda's iconic bird, the magnificent Crested Crane.

Our safari ends at Lake Mburo and its corresponding national park.

Unlike other parks I've been to, you can stroll around here while zebras, antelopes, eagles, and vultures relax undisturbed in a safe environment.

After traveling across the equator multiple times, when the safari came to an end and we were heading back to the capital Kampala, we made a mandatory stop at the Equator line. It was for the customary photo, some explanations, and to take a break and stretch our legs before moving on.

Between feeling emotional and on the verge of tears, it was sadly time to bid farewell to my amazing group of new friends who left me on my final day of travel as they caught their afternoon flight back.

Exploring Kampala with a local guide, near Lake Victoria, I delved into the hustle and bustle of traffic on paved and unpaved roads, wandered through the stalls of Nakasero Market, observed the busy taxi rank resembling a Tetris grid, toured the Gaddafi mosque with its panoramic view of the city, and ended the day with a gorilla tattoo on my forearm as a lasting memory of the adventure.

While spending the day in Kampala, I found myself as the sole non-black individual in the vicinity. The locals gazed at me with curiosity and smiled as I made a failed attempt to cross the road without getting hit.

A must-do is taking a ride on the most popular mode of transportation in the country, which is readily available on request at every corner: the boda-boda.

It's a motorcycle with an extended seat that can accommodate three or more individuals and various items.

Entry requirements: for Europeans, yellow fever vaccination. It's also recommended to get vaccinated for typhoid, hepatitis A, tetanus, and malaria prophylaxis

You need to apply for and pay for the tourist visa in advance on the website: visas.immigration.go.ug for €50.00. Remember to bring a printed copy of the visa to present at the country's entrance.

Best time to visit: is when the climate is pleasant all year round, with an average temperature of 26 degrees due to its location on the Equator. Rainfall is more common in March, April, May, October, and November. Remember that temperatures decrease in mountainous regions (such as the Bwindi forest area at over 2,000 m above sea level).

How to wear: opt for long, light, and waterproof trousers along with a T-shirt for outings in the savannah and northern parts of the country

Water-resistant pants and a fall jacket for mountain regions (chimpanzee and gorilla trekking). Hiking boots with ankle support. Remember to always have a raincoat with you because of the unpredictable weather.

Road conditions: The main roads are paved, while secondary roads and those in the southern part of the country are unpaved and may close during rainy periods. An Anglo-Saxon driving approach is common, and an international driving permit is necessary. For transportation, a Jeep 4x4 is recommended.

Boda bodas are commonly used for short distances (you can find them everywhere, at every intersection, or by using the Easyboda app). Collective minibus taxis are preferred for medium distances. They operate without fixed timetables and depart once the minibus is full.

Power sockets: 240 V Anglo-Saxon type. In some areas, like the south, electricity may not be available round the clock, and sockets might not always work. It's a good idea to have a power bank and a torch handy

Internet access: is typically limited to the lodge reception area. The network coverage isn't assured countrywide, so even getting a local SIM card (MTN, Airtel, etc.) might not fully resolve connectivity issues. Tour operators offer a paid MIFI for use during Jeep travels

Souvenir: wooden masks (from the southern region near Congo), barkcloth (UNESCO heritage made from tree bark), drums, wooden figurines, and colorful beaded ethnic jewelry

The estimated cost for a 12-day trip (medium category lodges): about €5,000 per person, covering flights and excursions

Population: 46 million individuals

Religion: Christians (predominantly) and Sunni Muslims live together harmoniously

Security: the sense of safety is widespread across the nation

Currency: Ugandan shilling. Find currency exchange services in urban areas. Generally, US dollars from 2000 onwards are also welcome. Credit card payments are solely accepted at hotels.