Wildlife photography Safari in Uganda

Wildlife photography Safari in Uganda is such a breath taking moment and one of the best ways to capture all the memories with the wildlife species while on a Uganda safari and take back home to show your family and friends what exactly happened on the safari. Uganda the pearl of Africa is a landlocked country but with a lot of scenic and stunning views of both fauna and flora species plus the Ugandan people who are welcoming and loving adding a value to your adventure as you explore the best of Uganda on a wildlife photography safari. These Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda are conducted in Uganda’s most visited national parks, water bodies, sanctuaries, and many more. For instance, while on a Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda, one shouldn’t miss out an encounter with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, big 5 game, waterbodies like Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, River Nile and many more.

While planning this Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda, you need to take your time, as yourself what you need to photograph and finally let us know such that we can fix out the best itinerary that suit your interest.

Let’s have a look at the best places for Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda

Murchison Falls National park

Yes, Murchison falls national park is a top destination in Uganda the pearl of Africa where one can visit at any given period of time for Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda. Murchison falls national park is not only the oldest park in uganda but as well the largest and most visited savanna park in Uganda with a whole lots of tourist attractions ranging from the World’s most powerful waterfall which should not miss out in your photographs to the big 5 game including Elephants, Leopards, Lions, Giraffes and the Buffaloes and a rare shoebill stork. You may choose to take a game drive photography Safari, a boat cruise up stream for a chance to take memorable photographs and short videos of the waterfall as it forces water through an 8 M tinny hole creating a rainbow and making thunderous roar. You also have a chance to take as many photographs as possible of the stunning savanna plains of the park and al that dwell within. To capture thrilling photographs of the rare shoebill stork, engage in a delta bat cruise downstream towards the swamp. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

While on Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable national park is yet another top destination never t miss out reason being that you need to capture the photographs of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the south western part of Uganda and is a home to the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas. During Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda, you will engage in either Gorilla trekking safari or Gorilla habituation experience that all takes you close to the gorilla for the best views. During the photo taking, ensure that your shutter sound and flashlight are turned off for security and safety purposes.  Apart from photographing gorillas, you as well have a lot of other things to photograph including the stunning Bwindi forest with unique tree species, other mammals that thrill in the forest, bird species, butterflies, waterfalls and many more. Just ensure that your itinerary is well design to suit in all these attractions. 

Mgahinga gorilla national park

Apart from photographs gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Uganda is blessed with Mgahinga gorilla national park which is yet a home to only 1 habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi that can as well be photographed all year round during gorilla trekking safari. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is considered to be the smallest park out of the 10 gazette national parks in Uganda but a visit to this small park is so rewarding. Other attractions to photograph in Mgahinga gorilla national park include the Golden monkeys which are as well trekked only in this Mgahinga gorilla national park, the Garama caves that are secret places for the Batwa people who once dwelled in the Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park before being forced out to protect the beauty of the 2 parks that were both gazette in 1991. Remember to capture other stunning and incredible volcanoes of mount Gahinga and other volcanoes that thrill with in Mgahinga gorilla national park and the neighboring parks including Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo all with in Virunga massif which harbors 8 volcanoes.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National park is another incredible savanna park in Uganda that thrills with the best savanna vegetation and abundant of wildlife that is worth a visit for Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda. Kidepo valley national park stands in the north eastern Uganda in border with Kenya and south Sudan. This park is amongst the most beautiful destinations not only in Uganda but in Africa at large thus best for Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda. While on this adventure in Kidepo, be sure to spot an  many wildlife species as possible including Lions, Wildebeests, Gazelles, Elands, Giraffes, Hippos, Cheetahs, buffaloes, Elephants, Hippos, and many other wildlife that make an entire photography safari memorable.

Wildlife photography Safari in Uganda
Wildlife photography Safari in Uganda

Kibale Forest National park

You don’t need to miss out on photographing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and Kibale forest national park is the best destination to visit while on a Uganda safari to trek the endangered chimpanzees. The park is as well the only destination for Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda. It harbors over 13 primate species making it the primate capital of the world. During your Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda in Kibale forest national park, you will as well encounter with other park dwellers including mammals, birds, butterflies and stunning forest with unique plant species. You also have a golden opportunity of visiting the Bigodi wetland on a guided walk to photograph the rare shoebill stork and many other aquatic birdlife.

Queen Elizabeth National park

Being one of the most visited parks in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth national park should as well be listed amongst the destinations for Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda. The park thrills with spackling fauna and flora species with scenic view that offer the best photographs. Look out for primates including Chimpanzees in the Kyambura gorge, lots of mammals including the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector, Lions, Hippos, Elephants, Buffaloes, Warthogs, Lions, Leopards, waterbucks, Uganda kob and many more in the Kasenyi plains plus stunning wetlands and crater lakes all offering the best spots for Wildlife photography Safaris without forgetting the beautiful Kazinga channel that connect Lake Edward to Lake George shared by both Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Semliki national park

While on Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda, add Semliki national park to your travel plan and you will be rewarded with the most stunning photographs of both the fauna and flora as well as the boiling Female Sempaya hot springs that cooks the egg. Take a walk as well to the make hot springs as you take photographs of the beautiful features in this park. 

Lake Mburo National Park

This small savanna park is a gem worth a visit while on Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda situated near to Uganda’s capital city Kampala in western part of Uganda. It offers a whole lot of things ranging from wildlife viewing safaris on a game drive, boat cruise, walking safari, horseback ride, cycling and many more.  Lake Mburo national park has a lot to photograph including mammals such as the Uganda Kob, Zebras, elands, topis, waterbucks, hippos, buffaloes, several bird species and many more. 

Lake Mutanda

This fresh water lake in Uganda is as well worth a visit for Wildlife photography Safaris in Uganda situated south of Bwindi Impenetrable National park thus can easily be visited right after gorilla trekking in Bwindi and in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Tt has beautiful sceneries that are eye catching and supplemented by a scenic backdrop of Virunga Mountain Ranges.

Lake Bunyonyi

Situated in both Kabale and Kisoro district is Lake Bunyonyi the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest in Africa which is bilharzia free and free from crocodiles though not recommended for swimming unless you are an experienced swimmer. Lake Bunyonyi offers beautiful sceneries for photography Safaris in Uganda. As its name suggest, Lake Bunyonyi thrills with several little birds “Obunyonyi in local Rukiga language” thus be sure to photograph as many as possible.  The rolling hills and terraces in the background of the lake as well very stunning for photographic safari. 

Packing list for wildlife photography safaris in Uganda

Depending on what one intends to capture, below is a list of a few things to include in your backpack as you plan a wildlife photography safari in Uganda and they include;

  • Appropriate water proof walking/ hiking boots
  • Both Long trousers and shorts
  • Long sleeved Shirt as well as warm clothes 
  • A rain jacket
  • A cap/ hat
  • Sun Cream
  • Garden Gloves
  • Insect repellent
  • A Camera obviously and a pair of binoculars for a birder etc.