There is no wildlife encounter on Earth that compares to sitting a few meters away from a Mountain Gorilla silverback. The silence of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, broken only by the snapping of branches, creates a moment of connection that changes you forever.
Workshop Info
Date
February 2 – 13, 2026
Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Group Size
Max 5 Guests
Price
€10,100
Available Seats
Full
Single Room
€600
Pro
Luka Esenko
Arrival
Entebbe Airport
Departure
Entebbe Airport
On Request – choose your dates.
Date
February 8 – 19, 2027
Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Group Size
Max 5 Guests
Price
€10,100
Available Seats
1 Seat Available
Single Room
€600
Pro
Luka Esenko
Arrival
Entebbe Airport
Departure
Entebbe Airport
On Request – choose your dates.
Two Gorilla Treks. Chimpanzees. Tree-Climbing Lions. The Nile.
This 12-day Uganda photography tour is designed for the photographer who wants it all: the raw power of the savannah and the intimate shadow of the rainforest. Uganda is the “Pearl of Africa” for a reason—it combines the classic Big Game experience (Lions, Elephants, Giraffes) with the world’s best primate photography.
We don’t just see the gorillas once; we trek twice. This gives you double the opportunity to capture different behaviors and lighting conditions, ensuring you come home with world-class images. From the thundering Murchison Falls to the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, this is a journey through the most biodiverse corners of Africa.
Who is it for?
This tour is designed for the dedicated wildlife photographer who craves variety, depth, and the ultimate bucket list shots: Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in their natural habitat. It is perfect for those who appreciate the comfort of small, intimate lodges and private 4×4 transport but are willing to get muddy boots during the treks. While you don’t need to be an athlete, a reasonable level of fitness is required to navigate the uneven, steep terrain of the rainforest for several hours in humid conditions.
Uganda Photography Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
We meet at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) on the shores of Lake Victoria. In the afternoon, we ease into the trip with a visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens to photograph vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, and exotic birds. Alternatively, we can take a boat trip to Mabamba Swamp to search for the prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork before our welcome dinner.
Day 2: Ziwa Rhinos & The Top of the Falls
We leave the city for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can photograph southern white rhinos in the wild on foot. After capturing low-angle shots of these giants, we drive to Murchison Falls National Park. We stop at the top of the falls at sunset to capture the dramatic scene as the entire Nile River forces its way through a narrow rock gap.
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park
Our day begins with an early morning game drive in Uganda’s largest park, searching for leopards, Jackson’s hartebeests, and oribis. We also visit a hippo pool for close-up wildlife shots. In the afternoon, we board a private boat cruise to the base of the falls—a prime opportunity to photograph Nile crocodiles, elephants, and hippos at water level, along with colorful bee-eaters and kingfishers. We end the day with a golden hour game drive.
Day 4: The Drive to Kibale
We take a scenic drive toward Kibale Forest, the primate capital of the world. The journey takes us through lush countryside, past Lake Albert and traditional villages, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and photograph local landscapes and daily life. We arrive at our lodge near the rainforest edge in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Chimpanzees & The Equator
After breakfast, we enter the rainforest for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale has the highest primate density in Africa, and we spend the morning photographing them as they feed and play in the canopy. The forest trails here are generally flat and easy. After lunch, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator along the way to our lodge.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
We explore the diverse ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth Park. A morning game drive targets lions, elephants, and cape buffalo. We may also visit nearby saline crater lakes to photograph flocks of flamingos. In the afternoon, we take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its high concentration of hippos and elephants drinking at the water’s edge, offering incredible eye-level photography.
Day 7: The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
We travel to the southern Ishasha sector of the park, world-famous for its tree-climbing lions. We head out on an evening game drive specifically to find these big cats draped across the limbs of large fig trees—a unique behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa.
Day 8: Culture & The Road to Bwindi
As we journey toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, we stop to visit a local primary school. This offers a chance to meet teachers and students, photographing and learning about rural education in Uganda. We arrive in Buhoma village in the afternoon for a guided community walk to learn about local traditions, then prepare for our trek.
Days 9-10: The Ultimate Encounter (Gorilla Trekking)
Over the next two days, we experience the highlight of the tour: exclusive gorilla tracking. Bwindi is home to half the world’s mountain gorillas. On both days, we trek through the ancient rainforest to spend one unforgettable hour with a different gorilla family. This extended two-day access ensures you capture unique portraits and behavioral shots that a single trek might miss.
Day 11: Fly-Out to Entebbe
After breakfast, we board a domestic flight for a scenic journey back to Entebbe, saving a long day of driving and offering great aerial views. Upon arrival, you have the option to visit the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. We gather for a final farewell dinner to celebrate our journey.
Day 12: Departure
After a final breakfast, we transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departing flight, concluding your Uganda photography expedition.
Activity level
Moderate to Active Most of the safari is relaxed (in vehicles or boats), but the Primate Treks are physical.
Chimps: The terrain in Kibale is flatter, but chimps move fast, so expect a brisk pace to keep up with them.
Gorillas: You will be hiking off-trail in a rainforest. It can be steep, muddy, and humid. However, because we have our own private group, we specifically request gorilla families that are easier to reach to make the experience more accessible. Porters are available (and highly recommended!) to carry your camera bag, making the trek much easier. If you can hike a few hours in hills at home, you can do this.
What’s Included in Your Adventure
Everything is Taken Care Of. We believe that a workshop should be stress-free. You focus on the images; we handle the logistics. This tour is fully all-inclusive:
Uganda Photography Tour Photos
Meet Your Guide
Luka Esenko
I’ve photographed wildlife all over the world, but nothing prepares you for that first moment with a gorilla. It’s not just photography; it’s an interaction. You put your camera down for a second and just make eye contact. It’s profound. I designed this itinerary to ensure you don’t just rush that moment—we do it twice so you can truly absorb it.
