The Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Photography in Uganda
The Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Photography in Uganda: Besides gorillas, chimpanzees take up the second position as the country’s top selling primate species due to their stunning and photogenic appearance. This has attracted many travellers and photographers not to miss out on this memorable experience.
For photographers who wish to capture best shots of these primates during chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation should take note of the following tips.
Location is Key
Uganda is one of the top destinations with excellent and diverse chimpanzee sites that offer perfect chimpanzee photography safaris. Kibale National Park standout as the top chimpanzee destination in the country with the highest concentration of chimpanzee population totalling to over 1450 individuals.
Other destinations in Uganda with chimpanzees include Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Bugoma Forest and Kalinzu Forest Reserve, among others. All these offer opportunities for chimpanzee photography in a dramatic perspective and landscapes.
Choose the Best Trekking Alternative
The Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Photography in Uganda: During photography, it is key for photographers to choose the best option, either chimpanzee trekking which allows visitors to spend an hour with these apes. Alternatively, chimpanzee habituation where trekkers spend four hours studying and observing chimp behaviours in their natural environment.
Best Camera
Always ensure to have good quality camera such as the mirrorless camera or DSLR with better light regulation and performance. Lenses should be about A 70-200mm or 100-400mm telephoto lens for close photos and A 24-70mm lens for broad and wider shots to capture the environs.
Pack extra batteries and memory cards that can sustain long treks. More still, endeavour to have a monopod (bean bag) which enhance stability in low light situations.
Settings of your Gear
The Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Photography in Uganda: Photographers should know that chimpanzees reside in shaded forested areas, this calls for flexibility for low light and movement. Regarding the shutter speed, let it be fast with at least 1/250s to freeze motion and a wide aperture between (f/2.8-f/5.6) for perfect light and subject isolation.
Make sure to adjust high your ISO, but with controlled noise. Concerning, the focus mode, use continuous autofocus (AI Servo/AF-C) to track roaming chimpanzees and their movements. Keep your gear in burst mode which helps to capture action shots and many others.
Sensitivity to Light
Photographers should know that since these chimps reside in tropical forests with stippled light, always position your self appropriately to make use of natural light effectively. More still, cloudy days are perfect for soft and balanced lighting.
Ethical Guidelines
Always maintain the required distance of 7-10 meters away from the chimpanzees to avoid disease transmission and stressing these apes. Flashing photography is strictly prohibited since it can distort their routine activities. Additionally, always use a silent mode when shooting so as to minimise or reduce on noise.
Patience is a must
The Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Photography in Uganda: Since chimpanzees are mobile in their movements with constant motion, it is important to tale your time and wait for dramatic moments when still of engaged in captivating activities. Therefore, pay attention on capturing interactions, behaviours and expressions, among others
Best Timing
Those seeking for excellent photography sessions, the morning session is always the best since it is the time when these chimps are more active and also often provides the best light.
The wet season which runs from March to May and from October to November, most of these months may offer fewer crowds and unique photography opportunities but you need to be equipped with the right gear.
Have the right gear
Always use comfortable casual neutral and earthly colours such as green, brown and khaki colours to camouflage with the environment. Others include rain jacket, hiking shoes and other essential.
Follow the guide’s instructions
The Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Photography in Uganda: Be attentive and pay attention to the ranger guide’s instructions because these guides know more about the chimpanzees’ behaviours and the forest at large and can guide you on the best position and location for perfect photo graphic opportunities.
Create a Compelling Narrative
Gather a combination of situational, close-up, environmental, engaging and interactional series of shots to create a captivating narrative of these intelligent chimps that share 98% DNA with humans.
Photographers who put all the above into practise on any Ugandan primate photography safari particularly with chimpanzees, you will have an amazing and respectful shots of these outstanding and memorable primates.
