Uganda · Photography

14-Day Uganda Wildlife Photography Safari with Gorilla Trekking

14 Days Round trip from Kampala Road Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Experience unforgettable close-up gorilla trekking
  • 02 Spend two immersive days trekking with chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
  • 03 Walk among rhinos, zebras, and giraffes in their natural habitat
  • 04 Search for Uganda's iconic wildlife on safari game drives
  • 05 Capture river and wetland wildlife during boat and canoe excursions

Embark on a 14-day expedition through Uganda's wild landscapes, crafted around some of the country's top wildlife and photography experiences. Track mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, search for tree-climbing lions in the famous Ishasha sector, and capture rich birdlife along the shores of Lake Victoria and the Kazinga Channel. Along the way, you'll also encounter rhinos, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and classic savannah wildlife across Uganda's diverse ecosystems.

At dawn, we embark on a canoe trip into the Lugogo Swamps in search of the elusive Shoebill - a prehistoric-looking bird that makes for stunning portraits in the golden morning light.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Entebbe, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Entebbe and Photography Briefing

  • Welcome to Uganda! Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you'll be met by a representative from Gorilla Explorers and transferred to the hotel.
  • In the evening, we'll gather as a group for a briefing on the adventure ahead, followed by our first photography session, where we'll share tips and techniques to help you capture the beauty of Uganda's landscapes and wildlife.

Accommodation and overnight stay at ViaVia Uganda Entebbe

2
Day 02

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Tracking Experience

  • We begin our journey to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda's reintroduced population of southern white rhinos.
  • Accompanied by expert rangers, we'll track these powerful creatures on foot. This is an excellent opportunity to practice low-angle shots and capture dynamic images of these magnificent animals against the lush African bush.
  • Keep your camera ready for up-close encounters!

Accommodation and overnight stay at Ziwa Wildlife Ranch

3
Day 03

Shoebill Canoe Trip and Transfer to Murchison Falls

  • At dawn, we embark on a canoe trip into the Lugogo Swamps in search of the elusive Shoebill - a prehistoric-looking bird that makes for stunning portraits in the golden morning light.
  • We will also take time to photograph the plentiful birdlife as we enjoy sunrise over the swamp.
  • After lunch, we continue to Murchison Falls National Park, where the mighty Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating dramatic landscapes ideal for wide-angle photography.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Red Chilli Rest Camp

4
Day 04

Murchison Game Drive, Nile Cruise, and Transfer to Kibale

  • A morning game drive takes us into the heart of Murchison Falls, where elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife roam the savannah.
  • Later today, we set out on a boat cruise along the Nile to the base of the falls.
  • Crocodiles basking on the riverbanks and hippos surfacing in the water provide incredible subjects for action shots and wildlife portraits.
  • In the afternoon, we depart for Kibale National Park.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

5
Day 05

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest

  • Travel through the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda, passing lush tea, coffee, and banana plantations before reaching Kibale National Park.
  • In the afternoon, we'll begin our first chimpanzee trek. Kibale Forest National Park has the highest chimpanzee population in East Africa, with over 15,000 individuals.
  • We will be assigned a ranger, after which we will set off into the forest to track a community of chimpanzees. Once we reach them, we will spend one hour observing and following the chimpanzees through the forest.
  • Get ready for high-paced action shots as you photograph these agile primates in their forest home - capturing the expressive faces and interactions that tell the story of life in the canopy.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

6
Day 06

Second Chimpanzee Experience and Bigodi Wetlands

  • Today, we delve deeper into Kibale Forest for a second experience in search of chimpanzees.
  • Listen for their echoing pant-hoots, which will lead us through the dense greenery to join the troop, where we will once again have one hour to spend with these incredible animals.
  • During our time in the forest, we may also spot other primates such as Red Colobus Monkey, L'Hoest Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, and Vervet Monkeys. Bird lovers should keep an eye out, as a total of 335 bird species have been recorded in the forest.
  • In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetlands, where vibrant birdlife and curious primates offer diverse photography opportunities. The swamp's reflections and abundant flora will challenge your skills in framing and composition.
  • We will also go for a community walk, where we will observe how coffee is cultivated and processed - don't forget to taste a cup - as well as how different beverages are extracted from bananas. These community experiences will help us capture the unique culture of Uganda and learn how people live alongside such abundant wildlife.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

7
Day 07

Nature Walk and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

  • We begin today with a nature walk from our lodge, where guides will share information about the reforestation, agroforestry, and rainforest zones across the 26 hectares of the protected area.
  • We will search for primates, admire the indigenous trees, and spot many bird species and butterflies, all while contributing to forest restoration and conservation efforts.
  • In the afternoon, we take a scenic drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains looming in the distance.
  • Arrive in time for an evening game drive, where you'll aim to photograph Uganda's diverse wildlife under the warm glow of sunset and search for nocturnal animals.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Engiri Game Lodge

8
Day 08

Cat Tracking and Kazinga Channel Cruise

  • Embark on a special cat-tracking experience with local conservationists as we spend the early morning searching for local lions and leopards.
  • It's a unique opportunity to photograph these apex predators up close, capturing their majestic presence on the African plains. In the afternoon, cruise the Kazinga Channel, known for its dense concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and vibrant bird species - perfect for capturing action shots as animals gather at the water's edge.
  • Later in the day, we make our way to Ishasha in preparation for tomorrow morning's activities.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Engiri Game Lodge

9
Day 09

Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Transfer to Bwindi

  • In the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we'll search for the famous tree-climbing lions. These rare sightings are a photographer's dream, offering a chance to capture lions lounging in the branches.
  • After lunch, we head to the Pangolin Rescue Center, an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild pangolins in Uganda.
  • From here, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a dense, mysterious jungle and home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Karungi Camp

10
Day 10

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

  • Today, we trek through the dense, misty slopes of Bwindi to encounter one of the world's most incredible creatures - the mountain gorilla.
  • We will have one hour to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat and capture their expressive eyes and intricate social behaviors.
  • Later, we will share our experience with the gorillas, discuss our photographic challenges, and talk through strategies for our second day of gorilla trekking.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

11
Day 11

Golden Monkey Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi

  • You will enjoy watching these playful monkeys in their habitat.
  • They will be feeding in the lush bamboo forest, so take as many photos as you can.
  • Later, visit the Ngarama Cave for a Batwa cultural experience, and afterward travel to the serene Lake Bunyonyi, known for its misty mornings and picturesque islands.

Accommodation and overnight stay at BirdNest Hotel

12
Day 12

Transfer to Lake Mburo and Final Game Drive

  • Journey to Lake Mburo National Park, renowned for its rich mix of savannah and woodland habitats. The park is a haven for photographers, with sightings of impalas, elands, zebras, and other antelope species.
  • We will spend the afternoon on our final game drive, with open landscapes and varied terrain offering perfect settings for wildlife photography against stunning backdrops.

Accommodation and overnight stay at Eagles Nest Camp

13
Day 13

Nature Walk in Lake Mburo and Return to Entebbe

  • Our morning begins with a nature walk that allows for up-close encounters with the park's wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
  • This immersive experience on the ground with giraffes and zebras offers a unique opportunity to move freely through the landscape and capture different angles of the incredible wildlife.
  • While on foot, you may also choose to practice macro photography on the smaller details of the African wilderness.
  • Later, we return to Entebbe, stopping for a second chance at tracking Shoebill storks. Our final adventure takes place in Mabamba Swamp - an unforgettable way to close out our photographic journey.

Accommodation and overnight stay at ViaVia Entebbe Uganda

14
Day 14

Departure from Entebbe

  • With cameras full of memories and hearts full of adventure, we transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Until next time, let the spirit of Uganda's wilderness stay with you!
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorillas, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel hippos

Where this trip takes you

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorillas, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel hippos

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kampala Road 10 cities · 14 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All activities/services as per itinerary
  • 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof for scenic viewing
  • A professional English-speaking driver/guide
  • Site entrance fees
  • All ground transportation and fuel
  • Meals
  • Drinking water in the vehicle
  • Gorilla tracking permit
  • Chimpanzee tracking permits x 2

What's Not Included

  • Visas
  • International airfares
  • Activities/services not included in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic drinks/wines
  • Laundry and any service of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance cover

What to bring

  • Hiking boots
  • Garden gloves
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Long-sleeved shirt/blouse
  • Cameras and extra batteries
  • Hat/cap and sunglasses
  • A pair of binoculars
  • Flashlight (torch)
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Other items to include: zoom lens for wildlife shots and energy bars/bites

Know before you go

  • Age restriction: 15-80 years old
  • A valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • This tour is not wheelchair accessible
  • We advise against people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions participating in this tour
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Entebbe International Airport, Kampala Road, Entebbe, Uganda
Tour start
Kampala Road, Entebbe, Uganda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 days finish where they began, in Kampala Road.

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