Somebody once said that if you planted a walking stick overnight in the soil of Uganda, it would take root before morning dawned. Of all Africa's safari destinations, this is the most fertile. It's also the best destination in Africa for seeing a variety of primate species — visitors can spot more than ten types of monkey including mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. And if primate enthusiasts are found wandering round with imbecile grins, Uganda's birds have ornithologists doing cartwheels: more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded here making Uganda, in practical terms, the finest birdwatching destination in Africa. Moreover, in Uganda's premier savanna reserves, one can be almost certain of encountering lions, elephants and buffaloes. Whether visitors want to climb to the snows of the fabled Mountains of the Moon, raft the headwaters of the mighty Nile, or marvel at the legendary tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, this seventh edition of Philip Briggs' much-praised guide is the most comprehensive resource available.

There's more to Malawi than its lake. This fifth edition of the Bradt guide explores the country's rolling plateaux and massifs, and its five national parks and four game reserves. Adventurers, meanwhile, can discover how to kayak off Cape Maclear, hike up Mount Mulanje or cross the wildlife-rich Nyika Plateau on horseback. The book covers the country's dynamic music scene, and uncovers little-visited gems such as Dedza and Elephant Marsh. And if visitors must find a luxury lodge on Lake Malawi's palm-fringed shore on whose deck to sip their sundowners — well, this book tells them how to pull that off, too.