Travel to Uganda

Primates

Why Uganda?

Uganda, rightfully nicknamed the Pearl of Africa, is one the the world’s top destinations for wildlife photography.

At its southwestern border with Rwanda and DRC lies Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where the last mountain gorillas roam freely in the heart of the jungle. Farther north, in the center of the country, you’ll find Kibale Forest—home to thriving populations of chimpanzees.

portrait of a gorilla in the jungle Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda @ Matthieu Chabert
portrait of a gorilla in the jungle Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda @ Matthieu Chabert

Uganda’s unique position along the Equator fosters remarkable biodiversity. From the savannahs of Kidepo and the lush rainforests of Kibale to the swamps of Mabamba and the snow peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, this country hosts an astonishing list of species and landscapes.

  • Half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas

  • Source of the Nile, the longest river in the world

  • Over 50 ethnic groups

You’ll spend hours tracking and photographing families of primates, yet Uganda is also an extraordinary haven for birdwatchers. If you’re seeking unmatched wildlife encounters, Uganda should be at the top of your list.

  • 20species of primates
  • >1000species of birds
  • 345species of primates

Day by day itinerary

Your first day is all about acclimatizing to Uganda. We’ll pick you up at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll meet your workshop host and local guides. Together, we’ll debrief about the upcoming days.

We’ll stay at Kisubi Forest Cottage, a charming lodge at the doorstep of the Zika Tropical Forest. This offers excellent bird-watching opportunities and serves as the perfect first introduction to Uganda.

The next day, we’ll visit the Mabamba Swamp by boat, home to the famous Shoebill. We’ll spend a few hours photographing in the early morning light, which will provide us with ample photography opportunities. Afterward, we’ll return to Kisubi Forest Cottage for a photo review session.

In the evening, we’ll head out for dinner on Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world.

We’ll leave early the following morning for a walking safari in Ziwa Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos in the wild. In 2006, six of these rhinos were reintroduced after the species was poached to extinction in the 1980s. Today, 42 white rhinos roam freely. Guided by a ranger, we’ll explore the sanctuary and photograph the rhinos from just a few meters away.

Next, we’ll continue to Murchison Falls National Park, the best national park in Uganda for game viewing. Over two days, we’ll enjoy sunrise and sunset safaris to observe elephants, big cats, hippos, antelopes, and many more species.

We’ll stay at Pakuba Safari Lodge, a beautiful and welcoming place nestled in the heart of the park. Staying inside the park means we won’t have to wait for the gates to open before heading out on safari. A typical day might look like this:

On the fifth day of the workshop, we’ll drive to Kibale Forest, a lush tropical forest that is home to one of the largest chimpanzee populations in the world.

For two days, we’ll photograph chimpanzees in their natural habitat—an unforgettable opportunity to track and observe them in the wild. While most travel agencies offer only one chimpanzee-tracking excursion, we believe one day is too short to fully appreciate this extraordinary experience. Two days will allow us to become fully immersed and experiment with photography.

We’ll stay at Turaco Treetops, a tranquil lodge surrounded by greenery, for these two nights.

After this experience, we’ll drive to the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track and photograph mountain gorillas. These magnificent creatures live deep inside the rainforest, so we’ll hike for a few hours with a team of rangers. They’ll clear the shortest path through the jungle with a machete.

Once we locate a gorilla family, we’ll spend one magical hour with them. The juveniles often roam around curiously, while the impressive silverback keeps a watchful eye on everyone. After this incredible moment, we’ll return to our lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Camp.

The following day, we’ll drive to Lake Mburo, where we’ll stay at Leopard Rest Camp—our final stop. Here, we can relax and reflect on the intense days spent together. Optional activities include horseback riding, game drives, or bike tours among zebras and antelopes.

After a restful day and night, we’ll drive back to Entebbe in the morning and drop everyone off at the airport with a fond farewell.

two gorillas bitting each other for play Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda @ Matthieu Chabert
a young fisherman with two hippos nearby Kibale Crater Lake, Uganda @ Matthieu Chabert
portrait of a chimpanzee Kibale Forest, Uganda @ Matthieu Chabert

Selina, your host

Selina is a German-South African conservation scientist, southern African safari guide, walking trails guide, and wildlife photographer.

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Any questions left?

Do I need any photography experience?

No prior photography experience is required! We welcome beginners and professionals alike. Our workshop is designed to accommodate every level and our host will make sure that you get the most out of your trip.

What should I bring to the workshop?

A camera that you're familiar with is the only equipment that you really need but after the booking we'll share a detailed list of the useful equipment to bring depending on your level.

How many people participates in the workshop?

Our workshops are always capped at 8 persons including the host. We want to keep the group size limited to ensure the best experience for everyone.

What kind of vehicule will we use?

We have two 4x4 equipped with a pop up roof to make sure that everyone is confortable. Unlike other agencies, our vehicules are never at full capacity.

Will I receive individual feedback on my photos

The small group size makes it easy for the host to provide personalized feedback for everyone. You'll get individual feedback during the editing sessions or during a wildlife photo session.

Our next workshop

Receive a detailed itinerary for the upcoming workshop.