9 Days Uganda Photographic Safari Expedition
This 9 Days Uganda Photographic Safari Expedition is tailored for photographers interested in capturing the beauty of Uganda, the pearl of Africa. On this safari, you will explore the varied backdrops creating a stunning canvas for capturing the dramatic wildlife encounters that this beautiful country is known for.
Imagine framing a majestic lion prowling the golden grasslands, a graceful giraffe silhouetted against a vibrant sunset, or a playful chimpanzee swinging through the emerald canopy. The abundant wildlife in Uganda which you will encounter on this safari, combined with the magical interplay of light and show during the golden hours creates endless opportunities for photographers to capture some of the best images.
Highlights of 9 Days Uganda Photographic Safari Expedition
- Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Boat Safari
- Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest Reserve
- Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 5: Full Day Expedition in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 6: Exploration of Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 7: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
- Day 8: Exploration of Queen Elizabeth National Park – Northern Sector
- Day 9: Transfer to Entebbe and Departure
Detailed itinerary of 9 Days Uganda Photographic Safari Expedition
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide (our representatives) and after briefing about the safari embark on a journey to Murchison Falls National Park, a remarkable park in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best photography safari destinations in Uganda, renowned for Murchison Falls where the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before dropping 43 meters, offering up striking landscape shots.
From Entebbe, it is a drive of 5 hours and along the way we will have a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the endangered white rhinos. Here you will have a grand opportunity to track and see rhinos in their natural habitat and take amazing photos of these creatures. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, the journey takes you through lush countryside landscapes, dotted with traditional villages and rolling hills. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into Uganda’s rich cultural heritage and biodiversity, setting stage for the incredible experience to come.
Upon arrival in the park, head to your lodge for an evening of rest, have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options:
Budget – Red Chilli Rest Camp
Midrange – Fort Murchison
Luxury – Chobe Safari Lodge
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Boat Safari
As the sun’s ray hit the savannah plains of Murchison National Park, wake up for a cup of coffee and head to the park for an early morning game drive. With your camera at hand, get ready to capture shots of the rugged terrain and animals in their natural habitat including elephants, lions, giraffes, and an array of antelope species.
The soft morning light creates a perfect for ambiance for capturing stunning wildlife portraits and stunning landscapes. After this amazing experience, return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. In the afternoon, you embark on a thrilling boat safari along the Victoria Nile, the lifeline of Murchison Falls National Park. Cruising upstream towards the base of the fall, where you will see the Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge. You will also see a wealth of aquatic wildlife including hippos basking in the sun and elusive Nile crocodiles lurking along the riverbanks. As you approach the world’s most powerful waterfall, the sheer power of nature is awe-inspiring, the roaring waters cascade through a narrow gorge, creating a magnificent spectacle that leaves you mesmerized. With your camera poised to capture this moment, you frame the majestic falls against the backdrop of the verdant vegetation.
Accommodation options:
Budget – Red Chilli Rest Camp
Midrange – Fort Murchison
Luxury – Chobe Safari Lodge
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest Reserve
Today’s adventure takes us into the heart of Budongo Forest Reserve, a pristine wilderness sanctuary renowned for hosting a thriving chimpanzee population. After a scenic drive through the forest, you arrive at the trailhead, where you will joined experienced guide and head into the forest in search for chimpanzees.
On your trek through the dense forest canopy, you will be entertained by sounds of exotic birdcalls and the rustling overhead. Your guides will expertly navigate the labyrinth of trails, interpreting signs of chimpanzee activity along the way. Suddenly, a distant hoot through the forest, signaling the presence of our closest primate relatives. For one hour, you will catch a glimpse of a troop of chimpanzees, swinging effortlessly through trees. With your camera in hand, observe their playful antics and intricate social interactions, capturing intimate moments that offer a fascinating glimpse into their world.
After this exhilarating encounter with chimpanzees, return to your lodge for an evening of rest and reminiscing about the day’s adventure around a bonfire under the starlit sky.
Accommodation options:
Budget – Red Chilli Rest Camp
Midrange – Fort Murchison
Luxury – Chobe Safari Lodge
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls National Park as you embark on a scenic journey southward towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most popular savannah park in Uganda. The park hosts a mosaic of ecosystems encompassing sprawling savannahs, dense forest, and shimmering crater lakes.
On arriving in the park in late afternoon, you will have a short game drive as you head to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options:
Budget – Simba safari camp
Midrange – Park view safari lodge
Luxury – Mweya Safari lodge
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5-6: Full Day Expedition in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up early for breakfast and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a full day adventure. Meet your guide and head to Kasenyi Plains for a game drive, this region of Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its incredible game sightings. It is a breeding area for Uganda Kobs attracting a huge number of predators like lions, leopards, hyenas and other animals. Keep your camera ready to capture hunting action, stunning landscape and lone predators.
Return to your lodge for lunch and short rest, in the afternoon you will embark on a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, a natural water way connecting Lake George to Lake Edward. As you glide on the calm waters, you will enjoy sighting of schools of hippos and Nile crocodiles in the waters, elephants and buffaloes along the shores and several water birds.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Bigodi Swamp Walk
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and embark on a journey to Kibale Forest National Park – Africa’s primate capital with en-route game drive.
Kibale Forest National Park is a popular primate destination in Africa as well as Uganda renowned for its extraordinary primate diversity. The park is home to 13 primate species including a huge population of chimpanzees, which is the biggest in Africa.
Arrive in the park in time for lunch at your lodge after check-in, in the afternoon you will go for a guided walk in the Bigodi Swamp, a hidden gem nestled on the fringes of Kibale Forest. On the guided walk, you will walk through the lush wetlands, traversing broad walks and winding trails that meander through a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands and marshes. Along the walk, keep your eye peeled and camera ready for sight of playful primates such as black and white colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys and several bird species such as majestic fish eagles and colorful kingfishers among others. After this mind-blowing adventure, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options:
Budget – Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Midrange – Primates lodge
Luxury – Chimpudu Safari Lodge
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Today is one of the most adventurous experiences you will have on this Uganda Photographic Safari. Wake up early for breakfast, meet your guide and head to the park’s headquarters for briefing about Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. A senior ranger will take you through rules and regulations to follow while on this experience, then head into the forests of Kibale looking for a semi-habituated chimpanzee family together with researchers and scientists.
This experience offers you a glimpse into the life of the chimpanzees and how they are habituated to become friendly to human presence. As the sun rises and you have finally encountered the chimpanzee family, as they forage for food and engage in playful interactions amidst the leafy canopy. With your camera poised to capture every moment, you observe their intricate social hierarchy, playful antics and close familial bonds, gaining insight into the complex lives of these remarkable primates. Throughout the day you will follow the chimpanzees as they move through the forest, documenting their behaviors and interactions. After this amazing experience, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options:
Budget – Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Midrange – Primates lodge
Luxury – Chimpudu Safari Lodge
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Transfer to Entebbe and Departure
This is your last day of 9 Days Uganda Photographic Safari, after a leisurely breakfast at your lodge, check out and embark on a journey back to Kampala with stopover in Mbarara for lunch and at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for pictures and a chance to stand in Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
When you arrive in Entebbe, your guide will drop you off at the airport to catch your flight back home bringing your safari to an end.
End of 9 Days Uganda Photographic Safari Expedition
Tour includes
- Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits
- All activities on itinerary & park entry fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Transport in Standard Safari vehicle
- Professional Tour Guide
Package Excludes
- International Flights
- Items of Personal Nature
- Tips and Gratuity
