A photographic safari in Uganda is a very memorable experience that allows you to have excellent opportunities for unforgettable experience of abundant wildlife viewing, long days, different scenic environments, changes of weathers and variable Geography of Africa. Well, today we see number of tourists engage in a photographic safari in Uganda since it is one of the best ways to capture and at the same time keep the safari moments rewarding, whereby you can share with your friends or future remembrance.
A photographic safari in Uganda the Pearl of Africa is one of the best kinds for the professional Photographers. What is important is for you to have the best experience during your safari. Take note ,there is a lot to capture while in Uganda but your safari is organized basing on your personal interests.
Any professional photographer shouldn’t miss a chance to capture the best photos of the Chimpanzees during a Chimpanzee trek or Gorillas during Gorilla Habituation or on a Gorilla Trek, take photo of the unique tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector during your Uganda Safaris. Furthermore, you can enjoy picturesque areas such as Lake Mutanda, the Crater lakes region, Lake Bunyonyi, River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Rwenzori Mountains many more.
Although most of the photographic safari in Uganda tend to include more of the wildlife and beautiful geographical features and still possible to visit other remarkable areas whether they are historical, cultural and religious sites. What is so important as you plan for a photographic safari in Uganda adventure; dedication, preparation, patience and a guide who is more knowledgeable about the exact spots you would position yourself to take best photos. You can choose to hire a vehicle with enough space to accommodate the photography equipment in order to have your best experience.
Here is the list of some of the picturesque Destinations in Uganda where you can have astonishing experiences during your photographic;
Murchison Falls National Park
Ideally, those who are planning to go for photographic safari in Uganda, wouldn’t miss out to visit this park because it has got a lot to offer. Among all Uganda national parks, Murchison sounds as the largest covering 3,893 square kilometers and was gazette in 1952. Above all that, it hosts the world’s powerful waterfall called the Murchison Falls, where water makes its way into the Devil’s Cauldron with a thunderous roar through an 8meter wide gorge, therein creating a rewardable rainbow.
More so, the park is divided into two sections; the northern bank which is covered by savannah grasslands, riverine woodlands and acacia tree species as well as the southern bank which is mainly covered by forest and woodland patches, all these sections offer a great adventure for photographers.
Photographers can as well enjoy remarkable wildlife photos of lions, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, antelopes, Nile Crocodiles, Hippos, Leopards and numerous bird species. While in the park, one can choose to go for game drives, hiking on the top of the falls, nature walks, bird watching, launch cruises to the delta or the bottom of the falls. Or else go for the Night game drives. Take note, in whatever activity you opt to do, be sure that you will have fun and above all take the best memorable and unforgettable photos.
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the main stopping places used in filming movies such as the African Queen Film in 1951 starring Humphrey Bogart – famous people who have visited this park before, they include; Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill a number of British Royals.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale National Park is renown as a capital of primates with over 13 species including the Chimpanzees as the main species, Lhotse’s and Red-tailed monkeys, Baboons, Red colobus, Bush Babies, Blue monkeys, Mangabeys, Pottos and the Black and white colobus monkeys and chimps having over 1500 Chimpanzees individuals.
The park lies in the Western region of Uganda and hosts about 370 bird species, about 70 mammals, a number of butterflies as well as different tree and plant species.
Other wild animals found in this Kibale forest includes; buffaloes, duikers, elephants, antelopes, bush pigs, otters and giant forest hogs many more.
Kibale Forest National Park inhabitant of tropical forest, swamp vegetation, grasslands thus making it more photogenic. Photographers can also engage in different activities like Chimpanzee trekking or habituation, nature walks, birding, research among others. Also around the park are beautiful crater lakes which can be accessed on foot and they are indeed so picturesque.
Kidepo Valley National Park
This might be the less visited National Park in the country but still ranks among the Africa’s most beautiful or untouched National parks by CNN. It is located in the far North Eastern part of Uganda and choosing this park among the place to visit during your photography safari would grant you the most gainful view of the Narus and Kidepo valleys, the beautiful culture and get to know the history of the IK people as an indigenous tribe and the shadows of the Morungole Mountain.
Besides from the breathtaking landscape, the park hosts diversity of wildlife species such as 5,000 herds of buffaloes, lions, herds of elephants and if you are lucky on your wildlife adventure in Kidepo, you can spot the cheetah and the ostrich.
The location of this park is usually off putting for many travelers but rewarding if you spend time and money to get to the park- discover what the world call ‘’ the True African Wilderness’’.
By Road; You can get to Kidepo by road which is approximately a 12-hour drive. Alternatively, you can choose to fly to the park by a domestic flight Aero link Uganda either in charter flight or schedule flight.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established as a national park in 1991 and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It is positioned in the southwestern region of Uganda and its misty hills are covered with the oldest rain forest which is over 25,000 years old. More to that, the park sounds as a home to half world’s remaining mountain gorilla populations that still exists -with over 650 individuals out of a total population of about 1,200 mountain gorillas. The mainly done activities includes; Uganda Gorilla trekking Tours and Gorilla Habituation.
The park is also home to over 350 bird species ,120 mammals ,27 frog species ,202 butterfly species ,346 tree species and 400 plant species. The park also has beautiful waterfalls not forgetting the forgetting the Batwa tribe with their unique culture with a lot to learn and engage in. In other word, Bwindi cannot miss out among your options for the photographic safaris.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Any photography planning to visit Uganda destination, we advise you never to miss out visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. Well, the park is one of the country’s most visited attractions with diverse ecosystems like the spectacular lakes, extensive savanna, humid forests and wetlands which makes it a beautiful place for photography.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly home for birders with over 600 bird species ,10 species of primates including the Chimpanzees and the big game like lions, buffaloes, elephants, forest hogs, leopards, hippos, antelopes many more.
More so, the park also provides gainful views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the rolling hills, enormous carter lakes, the Kazinga Channel which has stunning banks covered with elephants, buffaloes and hippos as well as the outstanding Ishasha plains which harbor Climbing Lions. It also offers a great chance of photographic visitors to visit different local communities which have a mesmerizing cultural history, take park in any of the activities like dance, music and storytelling.
Semliki National Park
Before changing into a national park was known as a Game Reserve in 1932 but as time went on – in 1993 it was created as a National Park. In fact, Semuliki national park is mainly dominated by the extension of the Congo Basin’s Ituri forest which is said to be between 13,000 to 18,000 years old. More then, the park is home to over 441 bird species and 53 species of mammals.
Semuliki National Park stretches across the Semuliki Valley floor on the distant western part of the Rwenzori region. The Semliki Valley composed of a number of features including the Sempaya Male and Female Hot springs which stands as one of the remarkable photogenic features of the park. River Semuliki is also a beautiful version of the Congo River.
Along your walking safaris in the park, you can get more photos as come across different wildlife species like buffaloes, crocodiles, forest elephants, chimpanzees, hippos, different types of monkeys, bay duikers and target rats many more.
You can take part in visiting the local communities around including the Batwa pygmies-known as a great indigenous community with great history and culture.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is one of Uganda’s smallest National Park with breathtaking picturesque landscapes which can be well experienced while a game drive or a nature walk or a boat cruise or even on a horse ride.
The park is comprised of savannah plains, rolling hills, the beautiful lakes and the metamorphic rocks that are about 500 million years old area, which you wouldn’t miss out. They are habitant of various wildlife species with over 350 birds and animals like eland, zebras, buffaloes, Oribis, Leopards, Hippos, Topic, Reedbucks, Defassa Waterbucks among others. It takes 4 hours’ drive to access the park from Kampala.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi sounds as Uganda’s deepest lake ranging from 44 meters to 900 metres in depth. It lies in the Southwestern region and is one of the most photogenic lakes in the country. It has fresh water free from bilharzia allowing one to enjoy swimming. The lake is surrounded by terrace hills not forgetting the most fabulous 29 islands. Some of the Island can be reached by a motorized canoe and be sure to hear the most amazing stories about them.
Lake Bunyonyi can be accessed from Kampala on as estimated 7 hours drive or through Rwanda on a 2hours drive.
Lake Mutanda
This lake is said to be one of the Uganda’s most thrilling lakes, it is a fresh water lake surrounded by picturesque Mountain landscapes including the rewarding background of peaks of the Virunga. It is positioned in the Southwestern region of Uganda, approximately 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Other nearby places, you can combine along with photographer safaris includes; Visit crater Lakes, Lake Mulehe, the Rwanda mountain, Sipi falls, Mabira forest, Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Pian upe among others.
Best time to visit Uganda for a photo safari;
The perfect time to visit Uganda for photo trip -during the season from June to August and December and February. However, these months offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities, and gorgeous gorilla trekking.
Activities you can enjoy during your photographic experience such as Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, wildlife photo safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kampala Street Photo tour among others.
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