Best Gorilla Photography Safaris
Best Gorilla Photography Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda -Guide
Ultimate guide to experiencing the best gorilla photography safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Interested in photographing mountain gorillas in the lush African rainforests?
Embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking safari or gorilla habituation adventure to experience the best gorilla photography safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.
Photographic safaris with mountain gorillas involve immersing yourself in the jungle.
A gorilla photographic safari presents you with a lifetime opportunity not only to trek gorillas but also to enjoy the magical encounter while capturing their live images.
Safaris like these are rare and only available for primate enthusiasts on Uganda gorilla safaris or Rwanda gorilla tours.
Get the magic behind African gorilla photography expeditions in Uganda and Rwanda with our up-to-date travel below;
Best Gorilla Photographic Safari Packages in Uganda and Rwanda
Best Uganda Gorilla Photography Safaris
Uganda is undoubtedly an amazing place to experience the best of gorilla photography safaris. Over half of the current mountain gorilla population survives in Uganda alone, with tourists having abundant opportunities to embark on photographic tours more than in any other destination.
Where to go for Gorilla Photographic Safaris in Uganda
When it comes to gorilla photo safari tours in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are a must-visit. Up to 5 sectors or regions are available for tourists to explore mountain gorillas in Uganda.
4 sectors are available in Bwindi National Park, and only 1 exists in Mgahinga.
The 4 main trailheads/regions/sectors to visit for gorilla photographic tours in Bwindi include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija.
At Buhoma, the gorilla families to expect to interact with on a photographic safari include Mubare –the historic family to open for tourism in Uganda.
Other gorilla families include Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe. Each of these families can take a maximum of 8 pax every single gorilla trekking session as per the standard regulation.
Rushaga sector is one of the special regions that is found in the Southern part of Bwindi and has the highest number of gorilla families to be trekked.
The gorilla group families to visit for gorilla photo tours include the Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Busingye, Nshongi, Kahungye, Bweza, Rwigi, and others.
Nkuringo region also lies on the Southern edge of Bwindi and holds habituated groups like Bushaho, Nkuringo, Posho, and Christmas.
Explore Ruhija sector, the best trailhead in the Eastern end of Bwindi. This sector is composed of gorilla groups such as Kyaguriro families, Bitukura, Oruzogo, and Mukiza families.
Ruhija is also famous for its enriching birding experiences along the Mubwindi wetland/swamp.
Ntebeko in Mgahinga is Uganda’s 5th trailhead where tourists can begin their trekking journeys to explore mountain gorillas.
Gorilla permits in Uganda.
Any successful photographic gorilla safari requires you to have a valid permit. As per the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a single gorilla permit costs US Dollars 800 per person.
This rate applies to travelers under the visitor category of foreign non-residents. Foreign residents are allowed to book permits at US Dollars 700 per person.
Residents of the rest of Africa (also referred to as non-East African Citizens) get gorilla permits at US $500, and East African citizens get valid Uganda gorilla permits at UGX 300,000 per person.
The cost of the permits alone covers the park entry charges, pre-gorilla trekking orientation, and the services of the park ranger.
Best Rwanda Gorilla Photography Safaris
Visit Rwanda not only to enjoy thrilling volcano hikes but also captivating gorilla photography safaris. Rwanda is the best premium gorilla safari destination, home to about 30% of the current 1063 mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s premier destination when it comes to gorilla encounters. The park lies in the Northern circuit of Rwanda and can be reached in about 2-3 hours’ drive.
Volcanoes National Park offers luxury gorilla safaris. Regardless of its size, Volcanoes National Park supports up to 13 gorilla groups. A premium gorilla photographic safari in Rwanda comes with a private guide.
On your visit to explore Volcanoes National Park, expect to find gorilla groups including Umubano family, Sabyinyo, Igisha, Kwitonda gorilla group, Susa A, Bwenge, Ugenda, and Amahoro.
Photography Safaris during Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla photographic adventures during habituation involve visiting the semi-habituated family of mountain gorillas.
Rushaga is the ideal sector to visit for you to experience the best gorilla habituation photography adventure.
Tips to Gorilla Photography Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda
Carry the best camera: Capturing excellent pictures of mountain gorillas requires you to have the best camera.
The camera to be used should be free from a flash. It should have the best lens and adequate memory, preferably 70-200mm.
Understand your camera. Before you carry any camera for a gorilla trekking safari, first, you should be knowledgeable about how it is used. This can prevent you from encountering challenges while taking photos of mountain gorillas in the wild.
Take note of which ISO works best, and for starters, ISO 3200 to 6400 works better.
Post-processing of gorilla images: Ensure that you understand how to optimize the images. This involves ensuring that the natural background isn’t lost or authenticity of the image is kept.
Maintain a distance from gorillas: A safe distance of 8-10 meters should be respected during a gorilla photography excursion in Uganda or Rwanda.
When to go for Gorilla Photography Safaris
June to September and December to February offer excellent conditions for travelers to experience the best gorilla photography safaris.
These are peak dry months (seasons) with relatively low rainfall, and the park floor often remains drier than during the rainy season.
Booking a gorilla photographic safari around the peak dry season lets you capture the best pictures.
But you should consider securing the gorilla permit early, and this can be done around 3 to 6 months.
The wet or rainy/off-peak months –these months are also open for gorilla photography safaris in Uganda or Rwanda.
The main issue is usually the heavy rainfall that is recorded, which renders the floor muddy/slippery.
What to pack
Essentials that you can consider having on your gorilla photography safari include a waterproof daypack, water-resistant hiking boots, gaiters, sunscreen, first aid kit, gardening gloves, and a wide-brimmed safari hat.
Conclusion: Visit Uganda and Rwanda to experience the best gorilla photography safaris.
Photography safaris can be enjoyed on guided gorilla trekking or mountain gorilla habituation.
Start planning and secure a gorilla photographic expedition through an expert like Flawless Adventure Planners Limited.