Small Group • Uganda
6-Day Uganda Photography Safari: Capturing the Pearl of Africa
Gorillas, chimpanzees, and the Kazinga Channel through a lens
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- Southwestern Uganda
- Duration
- 6 days
- Departures
- Fixed dates
- Party size
- Up to 6
Safari Overview
Experience Uganda through the lens on this exciting 6-day photography safari, designed for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and professional or amateur photographers alike. Journey through two of Uganda’s most iconic national parks—Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park—where breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and spectacular birdlife provide endless photographic opportunities. Capture the dramatic power of Murchison Falls, photograph rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, cruise along the Nile River and Kazinga Channel, and document unforgettable encounters with elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species. Whether you are photographing golden sunrises over the savannah, wildlife in action, or stunning landscapes, this safari promises extraordinary moments and incredible images.
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Highlights
What you'll experience
Mountain Gorilla Encounter, Bwindi
Spend your permitted hour with a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. At this elevation the light through the canopy arrives in shafts — ideal for portraits of a silverback at rest or a juvenile at play.
Chimpanzee Tracking at Dawn, Kibale
Kibale Forest National Park holds one of Africa's densest chimpanzee populations. Your guide Francis tracks by sound first — the drumming on buttress roots travels far — then positions the group for rim-lit shots as the chimps descend to feed.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
The two-hour evening cruise on the Kazinga Channel places you at water level with African buffalo drinking at the bank, open-mouthed hippos, and African fish eagles overhead. Golden-hour light turns everything amber.
Tree-Climbing Lions, Ishasha
The southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the few places in Africa where lions routinely rest in fig trees. A long lens and patience are all you need.
Birding the Albertine Rift
The Albertine Rift is the richest bird zone in Africa. Look for the African green broadbill in Bwindi, the black-and-white casqued hornbill in Kibale, and the African skimmer cutting the Kazinga at dusk.
Crater Lakes Game Drive
Queen Elizabeth's western crater-lake circuit offers landscapes as dramatic as the wildlife — deep blue lakes ringed by olive baboons and Uganda kob, all against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Why choose us
Why choose a Small Group Journey?
Six guests maximum. One vehicle. Guides who know which direction a silverback faces in morning light.
Photography-First Pacing
Every game drive departs and ends around the light, not a lodge timetable. Bean bags, clamp mounts for vehicle windows, and sensor-cleaning kits travel with the vehicle.
Specialist Guides
Lead guide Enock Mudde has tracked primates in Kibale and Bwindi for eleven years. He reads chimp behaviour well enough to predict where the group will surface next — and positions guests accordingly.
Permit Security
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are confirmed at the time of booking deposit, not 48 hours out. You know your slot before you pack.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Arrive Africa Safaris guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Take the rest of the day to relax, recover from your journey, and prepare your photography equipment for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation Options: Golden Quest Hotel, Transit Haven, Hotel Casabella, Speke Apartments.
Meals · Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Gorilla Trekking — Rushaga SectTransfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After an early breakfast, begin your scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest and oldest conservation area. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience. This is a unique opportunity to photograph southern white rhinos on foot in their natural habitat. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the Top of the Falls, where the mighty River Nile forces its way through a narrow seven-meter gorge before plunging into the Devil's Cauldron below. The dramatic scenery offers exceptional opportunities for landscape photography. Arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Rise early for a sunrise game drive across the northern sector of the park, when wildlife is most active and the soft morning light creates ideal photography conditions. Look out for elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, lions, buffaloes, hartebeests, Uganda kobs, oribis, and a variety of bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before embarking on an afternoon boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise offers excellent close-up photography opportunities of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants along the riverbanks, and numerous water birds, including kingfishers, bee-eaters, cormorants, and African fish eagles.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge before heading out for an evening game drive during the golden hour—a perfect time for capturing dramatic wildlife images. Keep your camera ready for sightings of elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes, and an impressive variety of bird species against the backdrop of crater lakes, savannah plains, and the distant Rwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation Options:
Tembo Safari Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge, Kalinzu Eco Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, hamba Safari Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Kasenyi Plains Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Photograph prides of lions, herds of elephants and buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and numerous bird species in the beautiful morning light. After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward.
This scenic cruise provides exceptional close-range photography opportunities of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and an abundance of water birds, making it one of Uganda’s premier wildlife photography experiences. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options: Engiri Game Lodge, Kalinzu Eco Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge Ihamba Safari Lodge, Tembo Safaris Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Return to Entebbe – Equator Stopover
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before beginning your journey back to Entebbe. Along the way, stop at the Equator for photography, souvenir shopping, and memorable photo opportunities marking your crossing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, taking home a collection of stunning images and unforgettable memories from your Uganda photography safari.
End of Safari.
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Meals · Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- 1 gorilla trekking permit per person (Bwindi, Rushaga sector)
- 2 chimpanzee tracking permits per person (Kibale, Kanyanchu)
- All park entrance fees for Queen Elizabeth and Kibale
- Entebbe–Kihihi and Kasese–Entebbe charter flights
- 5 nights accommodation as listed (twin/double sharing)
- All meals from Day 1 lunch through Day 6 lunch
- Dedicated private vehicle with pop-up roof for all game drives
- Window bean bags and camera clamp mounts in vehicle
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Expert lead guide (Enock Mudde) for full itinerary
- All ranger fees and community levies
- Bottled water and snacks in vehicle throughout
Not included
- International flights to and from the region
- Entry visas and any transit visas
- Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, drivers and lodge staff
- Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day itinerary
Pricing
Fixed departures
A shared departure of up to 6 guests. Rates are per person in USD.
Journey Details
Essential information
Minimum Age
15 years (gorilla and chimpanzee permits require minimum age 15)
Safari Duffel
Soft-sided bags only for charter flights; max 15 kg per person including hand luggage
First Group Event
Permit briefing and guide introduction, 19:00 on Day 1 at Kigezi Highland Camp
Last Group Event
Farewell lunch, Day 6 at Fig Tree House Kibale (~12:30)
Guaranteed Departures
All listed departures operate with a minimum of 2 guests. Gorilla permits are non-refundable once purchased; full permit policy shared at booking.
Alternate Sightseeing
If the gorilla trek is cancelled by park authorities due to health or safety conditions, we arrange a second trek attempt or a full permit refund. Chimpanzee tracking alternatives include a forest walk with a primate researcher.