Forest. Savannah. Mountain. — Primates of the Pearl of Africa

Uganda is one of the few places on Earth where you can photograph our two closest relatives in the wild on a single journey.

In the forest, the chimpanzee. In Kibale, a rainforest with one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa, we join the habituation teams who spend their days with a chimpanzee community that is still getting used to people. Instead of the standard one hour, we follow them far longer: feeding, grooming, calling and moving through the canopy.

On the savannah, the lions of the fig trees. Between the two forests lies Queen Elizabeth National Park: elephants, buffalo and Uganda kob in the golden light of the Kasenyi plains, hippos and crocodiles along the Kazinga Channel, and in Ishasha, one of the few places where lions climb into fig trees to rest.

In the mountain, the gorilla. In the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we spend up to four hours with a mountain gorilla family that is still being habituated. Only four visitors are allowed with each habituation family, so our group is sized to that limit: everyone is in the forest with the gorillas.

This expedition puts all of it in eight days, in the dry season, when forest trails are firmer and the light is more reliable.

Why this expedition is different

Habituation, not a one-hour visit. Extended time with chimpanzees in Kibale and up to four hours with mountain gorillas in Bwindi.

A group sized for the gorillas. Four photographers maximum, the limit for each gorilla habituation family.

Golden-hour savannah. An afternoon and a sunrise drive in Queen Elizabeth, plus the Kazinga Channel from water level.

Vehicles built for photographers. 4×4 pop-up roof safari vehicles, a window seat for everyone, charging sockets and room for long lenses.

Led in the field. Expedition leader Crhistian Austin, running expeditions since 2017, with photographer guide Leandro, "Outlaw Photographer", alongside you behind the lens, and the local driver-guides of our Ugandan partner, Legit Holidays & Travels.

Trip at a glance

Season: dry season, July 2027 (exact dates to be announced once primate permits are secured)

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Start / end: Entebbe International Airport (EBB), Uganda

Group: 2 to 4 photographers

Physical level: moderate to demanding. The gorilla day means hiking on uneven, sometimes steep and muddy forest slopes, at altitude, for several hours. Minimum age for primate permits: 15.

Photography notes

Chimpanzees and gorillas: the forest is dark. A body that handles high ISO well, a 70–200 mm f/2.8 (or a fast 100–400 mm) and a 24–70 / 24–105 mm. Gorillas are often closer than you expect. Flash is not allowed.

Savannah and the Kazinga Channel: 100–400 mm or 150/200–600 mm for lions in trees, elephants and birds in flight.

A bean bag is the best support in the vehicles; tripods are not practical in the forest. Bring rain covers and dry bags, and gloves for the vines and nettles of Bwindi. Porters are available in Bwindi to carry camera bags.

Wildlife is wild

Rangers track the chimpanzees and gorillas every day and sightings on habituation days are very likely, but they cannot be guaranteed, and the hike to the gorillas can be short or long depending on where the family has moved.

Day 1 — Arrival. Pick-up at Entebbe International Airport by our partner Legit Holidays & Travels and transfer to our guest house near Lake Victoria. Welcome dinner and briefing: the parks, primate etiquette, forest light and travelling with camera gear.

Day 2 — West to Kibale. A long, scenic drive west through villages, green hills and farmland, with landscape photo stops along the way, to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. Afternoon in the rainforest, preparing gear for the chimpanzee day.

Day 3 — Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. We head into the forest early with authorized guides and habituation staff to find a chimpanzee community that is still getting used to people, and follow it far longer than a standard one-hour visit: waking, feeding, grooming, calling and moving through the canopy. Expressive portraits and social behavior, in the beautiful but difficult light under the canopy.

Overnights: Papyrus Guest House, Entebbe (Day 1) · Isunga Lodge, Kibale (Days 2–3).

Day 4 — From rainforest to savannah. South through the Albertine Rift, with views of the Rwenzori, the Mountains of the Moon, on clear days. After lunch, an afternoon game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park at a photographer's pace: elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob and, with luck, lions, as the light turns golden.

Day 5 — Kasenyi sunrise & Kazinga Channel. Before sunrise, a game drive on the Kasenyi plains, when predators are still active and mist hangs over the grass. In the afternoon, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel between Lake Edward and Lake George: hippos, crocodiles, elephants at the water's edge and birds in flight, all from water level.

Day 6 — Ishasha and into Bwindi. A photo drive through the Ishasha sector in search of lions resting in the branches of fig trees, then on through terraced hills to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gear check and briefing for the gorilla day.

Overnights: Aardvark Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth (Days 4–5) · Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bwindi (Day 6).

Day 7 — Gorilla Habituation Experience. With Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and trackers, we hike into the misty forest to a gorilla family that is still being habituated, and spend up to four hours with them once they are found: the silverback, mothers with infants, playing juveniles. Only four visitors are allowed with each habituation family. On the final evening, a farewell dinner and a group review of the expedition's best images.

Day 8 — Departure. A scenic drive back to Entebbe through the hills and terraced farmland of southwest Uganda, with lunch on the way and a stop at the Equator at Kayabwe. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for evening international flights.

Overnights: Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bwindi (Day 7).