Uganda named 'must-see' tourist destination

Rare mountain gorillas and unspoilt scenery have helped Uganda to be named one of the world's top "must-see" destinations for next year.

The landlocked country in east Africa has been named among National Geographic's top 20 global tourist spots for 2013.

The international travel channel, which is affiliated to the National Geographic Society, said visitors would be greeted by the country's "undisturbed green nature" and the hospitality of the Ugandan people.

The Last King Of Scotland, which stars Forest Whitaker as former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, and Gifted By Nature are among the films, books and documentaries the channel is recommending to would-be visitors for a taste of the country.

Abiaz Rwamwiri, a tourism expert with the Africa Wildlife Foundation, said though still largely "undiscovered by tourists" Uganda's wildlife, "beautiful scenery" and attractions such as the Kidepo National Park offered a "unique destination".

He said: "We have a lot of potential we are not tapping into and this is what the recommendation by the National Geographic is telling Ugandans."