A Uganda photography safari rewards patient wildlife photographers with close-range gorilla and chimp encounters, dramatic forest light, and savannah scenes that are less crowded with other vehicles than East Africa’s more famous plains.
Key Highlights
- Gorilla trekking and habituation both offer extended close-range shooting time
- Low forest light in Bwindi rewards a fast lens and higher ISO capability
- Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are a signature shot
- Golden-hour game drives are easiest to arrange with a private vehicle
Best Places to Photograph Wildlife
Gorilla trekking offers the most intimate wildlife photography in the country, though the low forest light demands a fast lens and steady hands — see our gorilla trekking photography guide for camera settings and gear specific to Bwindi’s canopy. Queen Elizabeth National Park adds open savannah light and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, while Murchison Falls‘ boat cruise puts you at water level with hippos, crocodiles and elephants.
Planning a Photography-Focused Trip
Photographers generally benefit from a private vehicle and a slower pace than a standard itinerary, with extra time built in for golden-hour game drives and the option to linger rather than move on to the next stop.
Plan Your Uganda Photography Safari
Tell us which subjects matter most to you and we’ll build an itinerary with the time and access a photography trip needs.