Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” offers one of the most intimate and powerful wildlife photography experiences on the continent—centered around its extraordinary primates. In contrast to the open plains of its East African neighbors, Uganda’s lush rainforests and mist-covered mountains provide a more immersive, raw, and emotional backdrop for photographers seeking depth and connection in their work.
The crown jewel of Uganda’s photographic offerings is the chance to track and photograph endangered Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Coming face to face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat is not only a profound wildlife encounter but a rare opportunity to capture expressions, behaviors, and moments that transcend typical safari imagery. Every frame tells a story of family, resilience, and survival.
Uganda is also home to one of the highest concentrations of chimpanzees in Africa, particularly in the dense canopies of Kibale National Forest. Here, photographers can document the complex social dynamics of our closest relatives—fast-paced, expressive, and deeply moving scenes that require both patience and precision.
For wildlife photographers passionate about primates and storytelling, Uganda offers a one-of-a-kind portfolio: emotive portraits, dense green backdrops, and the kind of encounters that stay with you long after you’ve packed away your gear.
INTERESTED IN A PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE IN UGANDA
Elevate your portfolio with a custom-designed photographic safari through Kenya’s most iconic and untamed landscapes. Enjoy the freedom of private vehicles, pro-level mentorship, and elite accommodations—all tailored to deliver an extraordinary photographic journey.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT UGANDA
Kenya offers incredible photographic safaris year-round, each season bringing unique advantages.
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January and February This dry season is one of the best times for mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. Trails are drier and easier to navigate, and the forest light is often crisp and golden—ideal for capturing expressive, close-up primate moments. Game viewing in Murchison Falls is also excellent, with wildlife congregating around water sources and clear views across the savannah.
March to May This is Uganda’s long rainy season, and trekking conditions become significantly more challenging. Trails can be slippery and travel logistics more difficult, so gorilla trekking is generally not recommended during these months. That said, the forests turn lush and atmospheric, offering dramatic, mist-filled scenes for adventurous photographers seeking moody compositions and unique textures. Game drives are quieter, with fewer vehicles and vibrant green landscapes.
June to September This is Uganda’s prime time for both primate trekking and classic safari experiences. Dry conditions make for easier hikes, and animal activity is high. In Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, the dry season draws wildlife to riverbanks and open plains, offering superb game viewing and birding. Photographers can expect crisp conditions, striking landscapes, and some of the best light of the year.
October to December The short rains return, refreshing the landscape and softening the forest light. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking remain highly rewarding during this time, with fewer visitors and vibrant foliage. Morning mists add a magical touch to forest photography, while birdlife is prolific. Game viewing continues to be productive, particularly in the earlier part of this window before the rains intensify.
TOP LOCATIONS IN UGANDA FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, tucked into the far southwest corner of Uganda, sits along the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Part of the Virunga Volcanoes range, this small but spectacular park is defined by towering peaks, open montane forest, and bamboo-covered slopes—offering a completely different photographic experience than the denser jungles of Bwindi.
Though smaller in size, Mgahinga is equally rich in reward. It is home to habituated mountain gorillas, often found in more open terrain—a dream for wildlife photographers seeking clearer sightlines, natural backdrops, and beautifully diffused light. Trekking here means navigating rolling hills and volcanic foothills, where the forest canopy thins to reveal striking compositions and intimate encounters.
Beyond gorillas, golden monkeys can also be found in Mgahinga—adding a splash of color and energy to your portfolio. The landscape itself, with its mist-wrapped volcanoes and golden bamboo groves, sets the stage for dramatic environmental portraits that blend wildlife and wilderness in perfect harmony.
In Mgahinga, photography becomes more than documentation. It’s a quiet pursuit of connection, light, and space—where every frame tells a story rooted in one of East Africa’s most ethereal landscapes.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Set within a remote private concession in the southern reaches of Murchison Falls National Park, Papa’s Camp offers wildlife photographers something truly rare: exclusive access to one of Uganda’s most lion-rich habitats, with no crowds and no rush. This is big cat country—raw, remote, and teeming with life.
In just a few days here, it’s not uncommon to encounter more than a dozen individual lions. Cubs tumble through the grass in golden light, mothers keep watch beneath acacia shade, and dominant males patrol the open plains with power and purpose. For photographers, the intimacy and proximity are unmatched, with experienced guides who understand both animal behavior and photographic timing.
Every drive begins from the comfort of Papa’s Camp—an elegant and thoughtfully designed base built for photographers who seek more than just sightings. Early starts and extended drives are the norm here, allowing time to wait, observe, and craft meaningful images. The private concession means you won’t be jostling for position or sharing your sighting with other vehicles. It’s just you, your guide, and the story unfolding in front of your lens.
Beyond lions, the concession is home to elephants, Uganda kob, hartebeest, buffalo, and giraffes, all moving through classic savannah scenery. Birdlife is exceptional, especially around seasonal waterholes and wooded patches.
But make no mistake—this is a lion photographer’s dream. Whether you’re capturing a moment of tenderness between cubs, the intensity of a hunt, or a portrait in perfect light, this region offers the setting, the access, and the expertise to make every frame count.
KIBALE NATIONAL FOREST
Kibale National Park, in western Uganda, is one of Africa’s premier destinations for primate photography—most notably for its extraordinary population of wild chimpanzees. Home to over 1,400 individuals, Kibale offers photographers the rare chance to track and photograph our closest relatives in a dense, vibrant rainforest that feels as timeless as it is alive.
Accompanied by expert guides, you'll trek on foot through the forest to spend time with a habituated troop. The photographic potential is unmatched: intimate portraits, expressive interactions, and dynamic moments of grooming, play, and social bonding—captured in rich, filtered light beneath the canopy. It's an environment where emotion meets storytelling, and where one good frame can tell an entire story.
But the chimpanzees are just the beginning. Kibale is home to 13 species of primates, including L’Hoest’s monkeys, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and the elusive grey-cheeked mangabey. Each brings its own character and photographic opportunity, from tight forest portraits to energetic leaping sequences through the trees.
Photographers may also cross paths with forest elephants, their presence marked by silent footprints and snapped branches, adding an extra sense of awe to the experience. Birdlife is abundant and colorful, offering even more depth to your photographic story—from forest hornbills to shimmering sunbirds and turacos.
Kibale isn’t just a destination—it’s a portal into one of the most emotionally powerful subjects in wildlife photography. Every step on the forest trail offers a new perspective, a new subject, and the chance to create something truly meaningful.
EAST AFRICA IS OUR EXPERTISE
At Untamed Photo Safaris, East Africa isn’t just one of many destinations—it’s our entire focus. While others offer photographic safaris around the globe, we choose to specialise solely in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. That dedication gives us a depth of knowledge others simply can’t match.
Led by professional wildlife photographers and guides Mark and Jaren Fernley, we live and breathe this region year-round. We know the terrain, the light, the patterns, and most importantly, the wildlife—how they move, hunt, and behave across the seasons.
This intimate, on-the-ground expertise means we don’t just take you to the action—we anticipate it. That’s the difference a true specialist makes.
