Itinerary

1. Arrival in Entebbe

   • Welcome to Uganda! Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you’ll be met by a representative from Gorilla Explorers and transferred to the hotel. 
   • In the evening, we'll gather as a group for a briefing on our adventure ahead, followed by our first photography session, where we’ll share tips and techniques to capture the beauty of Uganda’s landscapes and wildlife.

   Accommodation and Overnight Stay at ViaVia Uganda Entebbe

2. Day 2- Transfer from Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

   • We begin our journey to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s reintroduced population of southern white rhinos.
   • Accompanied by expert rangers, we’ll track these powerful creatures on foot. This is an excellent opportunity to practice low-angle shots and capture dynamic images of these magnificent animals against the lush African bush. 
   • Keep your camera ready for up-close encounters!

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Ziwa Wildlife Ranch

3. Day 3- Transfer from Ziwa to Murchison Falls National Park

   • At dawn, we embark on a canoe trip into the Lugogo Swamps, in search of the elusive Shoebill—a prehistoric-looking bird that will make for stunning portraits in the golden morning light. 
   • We will also take time to photograph the plentiful birdlife as we enjoy sunrise over the swamp. 
   • After lunch, we continue to Murchison Falls National Park, where the mighty Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating dramatic landscapes ideal for wide-angle photography.

   Accommodation and Overnight Stay at Red Chilli Rest Camp

4. Day 4- Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise a long the Base of the Falls

   • A morning game drive takes us into the heart of Murchison Falls, where elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife roam the savannah. 
   • Later today, we set out on a boat cruise along the Nile to the base of the falls. 
   • Crocodiles basking on the riverbanks and hippos surfacing in the water provide incredible subjects for action shots and wildlife portraits. 
   • In the afternoon, we will depart for Kibale National Park.

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

5. Day 5- Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

   • Travel through the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda, passing through lush tea, coffee, and banana plantations, before reaching Kibale National Park. 
   • In the afternoon, we’ll begin our first chimpanzee trek - Kibale forests national park has the highest number of chimpanzee population in East Africa with over 15000 individuals! 
   • We will be assigned a ranger, after which we will set off to trek into the forest to track a community of Chimpanzees. Once we reach them, we will spend one hour observing and following the chimpanzee through the forest. 
   • Get ready for high-paced action shots as you photograph these agile primates in their forest home—capture the expressive faces and interactions that tell the story of life in the canopy.

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

6. Day 6- Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetlands

   • Today, we delve deeper into the Kibale forest for a second experience in the forest in search of Chimpanzees. 
   • Listen for their echoing pant-hoots that will lead us through the dense greenery to join the troop, where we will once again have one hour to spend with these incredible animals.
   • During our time in the forest, we may also spot other primates such as Red Colobus Monkey, L'Hoest Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, and Vervet Monkeys. Bird lovers should keep an eye out -  a total of 335 bird species recorded in the forest!
   •  In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetlands, where vibrant birdlife and curious primates offer diverse photography opportunities. The swamp's reflections and abundant flora will challenge your skills in framing and composition. 
   • We will also go for a community walk where we will observe how coffee is cultivated and processed (don’t forget to taste a cup!), as well as how they extract different beverages from Bananas - these community experiences will help us capture the unique culture of Uganda and learn how people live alongside such abundant wildlife. 

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

7. Day 7- Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National from Kibale National Park

   • We begin today with a nature walk from our lodge, where guides will share information about the reforestation, agroforestry, and rainforest zones in the 26 hectares of the protected area. 
   • We will search for primates, admire the indigenous trees, and spot many bird species and butterflies, all while contributing to the forest restoration and conservation efforts. 
   • In the afternoon, we will take a scenic drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains looming in the distance. 
   • Arrive in time for an evening game drive, where you’ll aim to photograph Uganda’s diverse wildlife under the warm glow of sunset and search for nocturnal animals. 

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Engiri Game Lodge

8. Day 8- Morning Game Drive and afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel

   • Embark on a special cat-tracking experience with local conservationists as we spend the early morning searching for the local lions and leopards. 
   • It’s a unique opportunity to photograph these apex predators up close, capturing their majestic presence on the African plains. In the afternoon, cruise the Kazinga Channel, known for its dense concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and vibrant bird species—perfect for capturing action shots as animals gather at the water's edge. 
   • Later in the day, we make our way to Ishasha in preparation for tomorrow morning's activities.

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Engiri Game Lodge

9. Day 9- Transfer to Bwindi National Park through Ishasha Sector for the Tree Climbing Lions

   • In the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we’ll search for the famous tree-climbing lions. These rare sightings are a photographer’s dream, offering a chance to capture lions lounging in the branches. 
   • After lunch, we will head to the Pangolin Rescue Center, an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild pangolins in Uganda. 
   • From here, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a dense, mysterious jungle and home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

   Accommodation and Overnight stay at Karungi Camp

10. Day 10- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

    • Today, we trek through the dense, misty slopes of Bwindi to encounter one of the world’s most incredible creatures—the mountain gorilla. 
    • We will have one hour to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat and capture their expressive eyes and intricate social behaviors. 
    • Later we will share our experience with the gorillas and our photographic challenges and discuss strategies for our second day of gorilla trekking!

    Accommodation and Overnight stay at Rweteera Safari Park

11. Day 11- Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

    • You will enjoy watching these playful Monkeys in their habitat. 
    • They will be eating in the lush bamboo forest. Take as many photos as you can. 
    • Later visit the Ngarama Cave for a Batwa Cultural Experience and after, we travel to the serene Lake Bunyonyi, known for its misty mornings and picturesque islands.

    Accommodation and Overnight stay BirdNest Hotel

12. Day 12- Lake Bunyonyi Canoeing and Transfer to Lake Mburo

    • Journey to Lake Mburo National Park, renowned for its rich mix of savannah and woodland habitats. The park is a haven for photographers, with sightings of impalas, elands, zebras, and other antelope species. 
    • We will spend an afternoon doing our final game drive, with open landscapes and varied terrain offering perfect settings for wildlife photography against stunning backdrops.

    Accommodation and Overnight stay at Eagles Nest Camp.

13. Day 13- Transfer from Lake Mburo to Entebbe

    • Our morning begins with a nature walk that allows for up-close encounters with the park's wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
    • This immersive experience being on the ground with giraffes and zebras, allows the unique opportunity to move freely around the landscape  and capture different angles of the incredible wildlife. 
    • While on foot, you may also choose to practice macro photography on the smaller details of the African wilderness. 
    • Later, we return to Entebbe, stopping for a second chance at tracking the Shoebill storks. Our final adventure will take place in Mabamba Swamp—an unforgettable way to close out our photographic journey.

    Accommodation and Overnight stay at ViaVia Entebbe Uganda

14. Day 14- Departure

    • With the cameras full of memories and hearts full of adventure, we transfer to the airport for your departure flights. Until next time, let the spirit of Uganda’s wilderness stay with you!