Uganda Gorillas and Chimps Safari Photography Workshop

October 31, 2027: Arrival at Lake Victoria, Introduction to Your Ugandan Journey

Your guides will welcome you at Entebbe Airport and bring you to your first lodge, tucked away in a peaceful bay along Lake Victoria.  Thousands of fishermen rely on Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake, navigating its waters daily in search of fish such as Nile perch and tilapia. The lake’s shores remain lush and green year-round, offering our first glimpse of Uganda. 

November 1, 2027: Shoebill Stork in Uganda’s Mabamba Wetlands

Your safari starts on the shores of Lake Victoria, where we’ll set off on small boats to navigate through huge lily pads and tall papyrus. Our main focus will be the shoebill stork, a rare and unique bird that stands 4.5 feet tall with a bill shaped like a shoe. This incredible prehistoric-looking species, found only in a handful of wetlands in East Africa, is one of the most striking birds you’ll ever encounter. We’ll aim to photograph it in the soft light of dawn and dusk for the best results.

But the shoebill is just the beginning. These wetlands are home to hundreds of bird species, from colorful kingfishers to graceful herons, offering plenty of opportunities to capture the breadth of wildlife in this ecosystem. 

November 2, 2027: Bigodi Swamp’s Primate Paths and Conservation Efforts

After a one-hour private charter flight with sweeping views of Central Uganda out your window, you will arrive in Western Uganda. After a brief drive, watching the landscape shift from tea plantations to dense forests, we’ll reach your destination for the night.

In the late afternoon, you’ll visit the Bigodi Swamp, a community-managed wetland. With a local guide, you’ll take a gentle walk through the swamp, quietly searching for some of the 13 species of primates that call this area home. Keep your eyes peeled for the Uganda red colobus, mantled guereza, Uganda mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed and blue monkey, among others.

The swamp is also a haven for bird lovers, with over 200 bird species, many brightly colored and rare. Our visit to the swamp directly supports local schools and helps farmers affected by primates raiding their crops, fostering coexistence between people and wildlife to help to stop poaching.

November 3, 2027: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park

Lace up your hiking boots for an experience unlike any other: venturing into the forest to track and observe chimpanzees. Their loud, resonant calls pierce the forest’s stillness like an ancient chorus guiding us to their overnight resting place.

Over the three hours you spend with this troop of chimpanzees, you’ll have unique opportunities to photograph their human-like interactions, from their morning routing, grooming, and communications. Their striking resemblance to humans, from their gestures to their expressions, is a profound reminder of our shared ancestry.

After lunch, we’ll remain at the lodge for one of Muench Workshop’s signature image reviews, as the morning’s chimpanzee session was just a practice round! You’ll have another chance with the chimps the following morning.

Please note, trekking time varies depending on where the chimpanzee troop spent the night, typically 30 minutes on mostly flat terrain. Porters are available to support you and your equipment.

November 4, 2027: Journey Through Kasenda Crater Lakes, Arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, you’ll head back into the forest for another 3-hour opportunity to photograph chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Afterward, your adventure continues with a 70-mile journey, avoiding the busier roads to travel through one of Uganda’s hidden gems: the Kasenda Lakes. From the comfort of our 4×4 vehicles, you’ll marvel at dozens of ancient crater lakes surrounded by lush forests and fruit orchards. Towering above it all, the Rwenzori Mountains rise over 5,000 meters, creating a breathtaking backdrop.

Your next destination is the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll stay in a secluded six-room camp tucked away in one of the park’s most remote corners. Accessible only by boat, this camp offers tranquility and exclusivity, with stunning views of the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world.

After settling into your luxury tent, you will take a small, private boat to get close to the wildlife. Travelling by boat offers unique opportunities to get much closer to wildlife than we can by vehicle – you’ll photograph hippos with just their eyes breaking the water’s surface and capture the graceful movements of African elephants and Cape buffaloes as they come to drink at the water’s edge.

November 5, 2027: Lion Research and Serene Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel

This day begins with one of the most unique experiences on the itinerary: working alongside experts from the Uganda Large Predator Program (ULPP). This nonprofit organization tracks and conserves predators like lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards while reducing conflicts with local communities. Using radio collars to monitor lion movements, the ULPP aims to prevent livestock attacks and compensate farmers for livestock losses – helping to prevent poaching.

Accompanied by an expert, you’ll leave the main roads and venture deep into the savannah. From just a few meters away, you’ll observe lions while researchers collect critical data on their health, behavior, and movements. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to witness conservation in action and capture unique photographs.

Later, you’ll have time to rest before embarking on another boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. This tranquil journey offers a wealth of photographic opportunities, from vibrant birds like the malachite kingfisher and African fish eagle to larger wildlife such as elephants, hippos, and Nile crocodiles. Moving slowly, you’ll have the chance to compose stunning images, rounding off a day full of unforgettable encounters.

November 6, 2027: Engage with Gorilla Researchers, Settle into the Forest’s Embrace

After a morning image review, we’ll set off on a two-hour journey to our next destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll settle into accommodations on the edge of the reserve, surrounded by towering trees and the rich sounds and scents of the forest. Even from your room, you’ll feel immersed in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit a nearby research camp where gorilla experts study the behavior and health of mountain gorillas. This unique opportunity allows you to engage with these researchers, learn about the challenges and triumphs of their conservation work, and gain deeper insights into the lives of these remarkable creatures. It’s an inspiring way to set the context for the interactions ahead in this extraordinary forest.

November 7–8, 2027: Mountain Gorilla Treks, Photo Reviews in Bwindi’s Dense Jungle

On two unforgettable mornings, you’ll trek through the dense forest to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Their sheer size will strike you immediately—massive hands, muscular arms draped in thick, shiny fur, embodying strength and presence like no other.

After the first gorilla trek, you’ll return to camp for an afternoon image review, where you’ll receive personalized feedback on your photographs. This session will help you refine your techniques and prepare to capture even more compelling images during the next day’s gorilla trek.

Please note, trekking time may vary depending on where the gorillas opted to spend the night; the Uganda Wildlife Authority will assess the best gorilla family for our group to visit. Trekking time can vary between fifteen minutes to one hour. Porters are available to support you and your equipment. 

November 9, 2027: Scenic Flight Over Uganda, Farewell to ‘The Pearl of Africa’

It’s time to bid a bittersweet farewell to southwestern Uganda. A two-hour private flight will take you back to Entebbe, marking the end of your unforgettable safari. Before we part, you’ll have one last chance to soak in the breathtaking landscapes below. As the rolling hills unfold beneath you, it’s easy to see why Winston Churchill called Uganda ‘the pearl of Africa.’