Uganda Photography Safaris
Uganda is one of the top destinations that offer photography safaris to both nature lovers and photographers. These photography enthusiasts on safaris in Uganda can capture its stunning beauty that is organized in various national parks.
These photography safaris offer visitors opportunities to photograph various attractions such as breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife such as the majestic mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and other species. Scenic locations in Uganda include the snow-capped Rwenzori mountains, Lake Bunyonyi, Murchison Falls, and the River Nile. Cultural safaris are also available.
Wildlife photography and traditional safaris usually do not go together well, as guides and other guests may not share your interest. Successful wildlife photography in Uganda requires patience, preparation, and a knowledgeable guide to find the best spots. A dedicated photographic safari is recommended for this purpose.
Uganda’s Best Sites for Photography Safaris
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is a must-visit for a photographic safari. Established in 1952, it is the country’s most popular tourist destination, known for its diverse ecosystems, including savannas, forests, lakes, and wetlands.
The park is home to various wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, leopards, chimpanzees, and over 600 bird species. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains and Kazinga Channel. The park encourages interaction with local communities through storytelling, dance, and music.
Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda Photography Safaris: Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest conservation area at 3,840 km², established in 1952 to protect its wildlife species within their natural wilderness. It is known for its wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, and lions. Activities include photography game drives, boat safaris, hiking, hot air balloon rides, and night game drives.
The Murchison Falls are the world’s most powerful waterfall, where the Nile flows through an 8m-wide gorge into the “Devil’s Cauldron”, creating a rainbow. The park features diverse landscapes and was the filming location for “The African Queen”. Special visitors to have embraced this marvel include Sir Winston Churchill and Theodore Roosevelt.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park, located in Western Uganda, is known as the primate capital of the world. It has a large chimpanzee population, making it great for photographers. The park features grassland, rainforest, and swamp, housing around 70 mammal species and 13 primate species. It is also a hotspot for birdwatchers with 375 bird species and is surrounded by scenic crater lakes.
Kidepo National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park, which is located in northeastern Uganda, is one of the country’s less visited parks. CNN has called it one of Africa’s most beautiful national parks. It offers stunning views of the Kidepo and Narus Valleys with Mount Morungole in the background.
The park is home to wildlife, including lions, large elephant herds, and over 4,000 buffalo. While it requires a long trip from Kampala, it is a true hidden gem.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda Photography Safaris: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is located in South Western Uganda and home to the highest concentration of mountain gorillas. It is known for gorilla trekking and recently added gorilla habituation. Photography opportunities include mountain gorillas, butterflies, waterfalls, and birds.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savanna park, covering 370 km². Located just 4-5 hours from Kampala and Entebbe, it is ideal for photography safaris. The park, rich in biodiversity, features 350 bird species and various wildlife, including zebras, buffalo, and leopards. Visitors can explore by boat, horseback, jeep, or on foot.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest National Park at 33.7 km². It is named after the volcanic stones found there. The park, located at an altitude of 2,227m to 4,127m, protects rare mountain gorillas and endangered species like the golden monkey.
It holds cultural significance for the Batwa pygmies, who were the first inhabitants. Visitors can take a cultural photo session at the Ngarama cave. The park’s extinct volcanoes are also notable features for photography.
Semliki National Park
Uganda Photography Safaris: Semuliki National Park was founded in 1932 and became a national park in 1993. It is the only lowland tropical forest in East Africa, home to 441 bird species and 53 mammals. The park is located on the Semliki Valley’s floor, near the western Rwenzori Mountains, and is part of the ancient Ituri Forest from the Congo Basin.
It features wildlife more typical of central Africa, including a local Batwa pygmy community. The park also has notable sites like the Sempaya hot springs, which showcase underground geological activity.
Activities to do while on Photography safaris in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is a popular activity in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga parks, where endangered mountain gorillas live. Visitors can photograph them during gorilla trekking and habituation experiences and spend 1-4 hours observing them from a distance of seven metres that is recommended by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi
Gorilla habituation offers photographers about 4 hours with the gorillas instead of the standard one-hour duration for gorilla trekking. The habituated gorillas may still hide since they are not yet used to human presence. Only 4 people can participate, costing $1500, compared to $600 for a regular trek.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Photographers can photograph chimpanzees in Uganda’s tropical rainforests of protected areas such as Budongo Forest, Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and several central forest reserves. However, Kibale National Park provides the best chimpanzee trekking experience.
Boat Cruises
Boat safaris are commonly conducted in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda and Lake Mburo National Park. These stunning boat cruises offer views of wildlife, birds, crocodiles, and hippos near the water that are conducive for photography safaris in Uganda.
Lion Tracking
Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a research program by the Uganda Carnivore Program. It allows participants to monitor lions using locator devices, providing good photo opportunities and a chance to learn about their behavior while aiding in conservation efforts.
Birding
Bird watching in Uganda occurs year-round, featuring around 1081 bird species. Unique birds can be found in national parks and seen during safaris and road trips, making photographers capture diverse birds such as endemic, migratory, forest, wetland, savannah and rarities, among others.
What is the best time to do Photography safaris in Uganda?
Uganda has a tropical climate suitable for photographic safaris year-round. The best times to visit are during dry months from June to October and December to February. The wet months from November and March to May offer fewer crowds and lush scenery.
