8-Day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife Photography Safari: A Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary
Capture the beauty of East Africa on this 8-day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife Photography Safari. Designed for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers, this journey takes you through some of the region’s most rewarding habitats, from the volcanic forests of Rwanda to Uganda’s ancient rainforest and open savannah.
The safari combines mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with game drives and a boat excursion in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, you will have opportunities to photograph primates, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, birds, landscapes and local scenery.
Whether you use a professional camera or a smartphone, the journey offers memorable photographic opportunities in some of East Africa’s most beautiful natural environments.
Safari overview
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Countries | Rwanda and Uganda |
| Start point | Kigali, Rwanda |
| End point | Entebbe, Uganda |
| Main destinations | Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| Main activities | Gorilla trekking, game drives, boat cruise, birdwatching and landscape photography |
| Accommodation | Budget, mid-range or luxury lodges |
| Transport | Private 4×4 safari vehicle |
| Recommended age | 15 years and above, subject to activity rules |
Safari route: Kigali → Volcanoes National Park → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Entebbe.
Photography focus: Mountain gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, hippos, birds, forest scenery, volcanic landscapes and rural countryside.
Important planning note: This itinerary prioritises photography in Volcanoes, Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. It does not include Akagera National Park or Kibale Forest. Adding either destination would require extra time or a different route. The final drive from Queen Elizabeth to Entebbe is long, so an additional overnight in Entebbe is strongly recommended if you have an early international flight.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your driver-guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short introduction to Rwanda’s capital. Kigali offers interesting opportunities for urban photography, with its green hills, lively streets, local markets and attractive city views.
You may arrange a short city drive or visit a local craft market if time allows. Travellers interested in Rwanda’s history can also arrange a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, with sufficient time for the experience.
In the evening, your guide will introduce the safari route and discuss the photography opportunities ahead. You can also review your camera equipment, batteries, memory cards and other accessories.
Accommodation: Kigali hotel
Meals: Depending on arrival time and hotel arrangement
Photography opportunities: City scenery, local markets and Rwanda’s rolling hills
Day 2: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park – Virunga Landscape Photography
After breakfast, depart Kigali and travel north towards Musanze and Volcanoes National Park. The drive generally takes around 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic and your lodge location.
The journey offers beautiful views of Rwanda’s famous green hills, terraced farms, rural settlements and mountain scenery.
On arrival, check in at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park. If the weather is clear, spend time photographing the dramatic Virunga volcanic landscape and the surrounding countryside.
The afternoon can be used for a relaxed nature walk, a community visit or a cultural experience, depending on the available activities and your arrival time.
Your guide will also confirm the following day’s gorilla trekking arrangements and explain the park’s photography rules.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photography opportunities: Virunga volcanoes, rural landscapes, terraced farms and local culture
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Photography in Volcanoes National Park
Today is one of the highlights of the safari: mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
After an early breakfast, travel to the Kinigi park headquarters for registration and a briefing by Rwanda Development Board staff.
You will be assigned to a habituated gorilla family and accompanied by experienced guides and trackers into the forest. The trek can take a few hours or longer depending on the location and movement of the gorillas.
Once the gorillas are located, you will have a regulated viewing period of up to one hour. This provides an extraordinary opportunity to photograph these endangered primates as they feed, groom, rest and interact with one another.
The forest environment can be challenging for photography because light levels are often low and vegetation can obstruct the view. A camera with good low-light performance and a suitable zoom lens can be useful.
After the trek, return to your lodge and spend the evening reviewing your photographs or relaxing.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photography opportunities: Mountain gorillas, forest vegetation and volcanic forest scenery
Photography is permitted during gorilla trekking, but flash is prohibited. Follow your ranger’s instructions, maintain the required distance and never move closer to an animal to improve a photograph.
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park – Cyanika Border – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, depart Volcanoes National Park and travel towards the Cyanika border crossing between Rwanda and Uganda.
Complete immigration formalities before continuing into southwestern Uganda towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This journey offers beautiful highland scenery, with terraced farmland, green hills, rural settlements and views of the mountainous landscape around the border region.
On arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Depending on the lodge location and weather, you may photograph the surrounding forest, village scenery and mountain views.
Your guide will confirm the gorilla trekking sector, briefing location and departure time for the following day.
Accommodation: Lodge in the confirmed Bwindi trekking sector
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photography opportunities: Mountain scenery, countryside, terraced farms and forest landscapes
Bwindi has several trekking sectors. Your accommodation must match the sector specified on your confirmed gorilla permit.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Photography in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, travel to the relevant park headquarters for registration and a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority staff.
You will be assigned to a habituated gorilla family and accompanied by trained guides and trackers into Bwindi’s dense rainforest.
Bwindi offers a different photographic environment from Volcanoes. The forest is thick, the terrain is steep and the light can be limited beneath the canopy.
The trek may take a few hours or longer depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once the gorillas are found, you will have a regulated viewing period of up to one hour.
You may photograph adults feeding, grooming and resting, as well as younger gorillas playing and interacting. Your guide will advise where to stand and how to behave so that the animals are not disturbed.
After the encounter, return to the park headquarters and transfer to your lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge in Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photography opportunities: Mountain gorillas, rainforest plants, forest textures and natural habitat
Uganda’s published minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. Flash photography is prohibited, and visitors must maintain the required distance and follow ranger instructions.
Day 6: Bwindi – Ishasha Sector – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Where road conditions and timing permit, the route can pass through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park.
Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting in large fig trees. Your guide will conduct a game drive through suitable areas while looking for lions, elephants, buffaloes, topis and other wildlife.
This is an excellent opportunity for savannah wildlife photography. The open landscapes and scattered trees provide a different photographic setting from the dense forests of Bwindi.
Continue towards your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and enjoy dinner.
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photography opportunities: Tree-climbing lions if encountered, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and savannah landscapes
Tree-climbing lion sightings are not guaranteed. If the Ishasha route is unsuitable, your guide may adjust the journey according to road conditions and timing.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains.
The open grasslands provide opportunities to photograph elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs, hyenas and, with luck, lions. Early morning light can create attractive conditions for wildlife photography, particularly when animals are active.
After returning to your lodge for lunch or a short rest, head to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise.
The Kazinga Channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is known for its large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds. Elephants and buffaloes are also frequently seen along the banks.
The boat cruise provides a different perspective from a game drive and can be particularly rewarding for photographing animals near the water. Birds, hippos and crocodiles may be visible at relatively close range, depending on their positions and the boat route.
Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Photography opportunities: Elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Entebbe and Departure
After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel towards Entebbe.
The drive generally takes around 6–7 hours or longer depending on your lodge location, road conditions, traffic and stops.
The route passes through western and central Uganda, with opportunities for informal countryside photography during suitable stops.
On arrival in Entebbe, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, provided your departure time allows enough time for the journey and airport check-in.
Important: This is a long final travel day. For early or mid-morning international departures, we strongly recommend adding one night in Entebbe and flying out on Day 9. This gives you a more comfortable end to the safari and reduces the risk of missing your flight.
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast and lunch, depending on departure arrangements
Photography opportunities: Ugandan countryside and Lake Victoria surroundings, if time permits
Main photography highlights
| Destination | Photography subjects |
|---|---|
| Kigali | City scenery, local markets, hills and cultural experiences |
| Volcanoes National Park | Mountain gorillas, Virunga volcanoes, bamboo forest and rural landscapes |
| Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Mountain gorillas, dense rainforest, forest plants and mountain scenery |
| Ishasha sector | Tree-climbing lions if encountered, elephants, buffaloes and open savannah |
| Kasenyi plains | Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and savannah landscapes |
| Kazinga Channel | Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and waterbirds |
Photography equipment recommendations
You do not need professional equipment to enjoy this safari, but the right gear can improve your results.
Camera bodies
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with reliable autofocus and good performance in low light is useful for wildlife and forest photography.
A second camera body is optional but can save time when switching between lenses.
Recommended lenses
- 70–200mm: Useful for wildlife portraits, medium-distance subjects and forest photography.
- 100–400mm or 150–600mm: Helpful for photographing animals at a distance during game drives.
- 24–70mm: Useful for landscapes, lodge scenes, cultural experiences and environmental portraits.
- Wide-angle lens: Useful for dramatic mountain and forest landscapes.
Other useful equipment
- Extra camera batteries.
- Multiple high-capacity memory cards.
- Camera rain cover.
- Lens cleaning cloth and blower.
- Waterproof camera bag.
- Beanbag for vehicle photography.
- Binoculars.
- Portable power bank.
- Headlamp or small torch.
- Protective dry bags for equipment.
Camera settings and practical tips
Forest photography can be challenging because the light is often low and changing. A wide aperture and a higher ISO may help maintain a sufficiently fast shutter speed.
For moving wildlife, use continuous autofocus and a shutter speed appropriate to the animal’s movement. For landscapes, take time to compose the scene and consider using a tripod where permitted and practical.
During gorilla trekking, keep flash switched off. Do not use equipment in a way that obstructs other visitors or interferes with the animals. Always follow the guide’s instructions.
Recommended accommodation
The following properties are examples to consider. Final choices should depend on current availability, operating status, budget and proximity to the relevant park activity.
Kigali
- Hotel des Mille Collines
- Park Inn by Radisson Kigali
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- The Retreat
Volcanoes National Park
- Hotel Muhabura
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Bisate Lodge
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Choose accommodation according to your confirmed gorilla trekking sector.
- Buhoma Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Enganzi Game Lodge
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- Enjojo Lodge
What is included in the safari package?
A typical package may include:
- Airport pickup in Kigali and transfer to Entebbe.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel and transport throughout the itinerary.
- Seven nights of accommodation.
- Meals as specified in the final quotation.
- Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking permit.
- Uganda mountain gorilla trekking permit.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entry and agreed game-drive activities.
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
- Relevant park and activity fees listed in the quotation.
- Cross-border itinerary coordination.
- Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle.
What is excluded?
Unless agreed otherwise, the package does not include:
- International flights.
- Visas and personal travel documentation.
- Travel insurance and medical expenses.
- Personal photography equipment.
- Commercial photography or filming permissions.
- Drone permits and aviation approvals.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal shopping, laundry and telephone expenses.
- Alcoholic and premium beverages.
- Optional activities not listed in the quotation.
- Any accommodation or meals not specified in the final package.
Best time for a wildlife photography safari in Rwanda and Uganda
The safari can be organised throughout the year, but relatively drier periods are often preferred for forest trekking, game drives and road travel.
June to September: Often a popular period for gorilla trekking and wildlife photography. Forest trails can still be wet, so waterproof protection remains useful.
December to February: Another favourable period for many safari activities. Clearer conditions may provide good opportunities for landscape photography, although weather varies.
March to May: A wetter period in much of the region. Rain can create dramatic landscapes and lush vegetation, but forest trails may become slippery.
October to November: Rain is possible, although wildlife photography remains rewarding with flexible planning and suitable equipment protection.
The best time also depends on your photographic priorities. Forest photography, savannah wildlife and bird photography can all offer different seasonal opportunities.
Responsible wildlife photography guidelines
Photography should never come at the expense of wildlife welfare.
- Never use flash when photographing mountain gorillas.
- Follow the minimum distance and all instructions given by park rangers.
- Do not approach animals to obtain a closer photograph.
- Do not make loud noises or imitate animal calls.
- Never feed or touch wild animals.
- Do not use drones without the required permissions.
- Avoid blocking other visitors’ views during wildlife encounters.
- Do not leave equipment, rubbish or other objects in the forest.
- Respect local people and ask permission before taking close-up portraits.
The purpose of responsible wildlife photography is to document natural behaviour without disturbing the animals or their habitat.
Frequently asked questions
Is this safari suitable for professional photographers?
Yes. The itinerary offers opportunities to photograph mountain gorillas, savannah wildlife, birds and landscapes. Professional photographers should consider bringing suitable telephoto lenses, weather protection and spare camera equipment.
Can I photograph mountain gorillas?
Yes. Photography is permitted during gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, but flash photography is prohibited. You must follow the ranger’s instructions and maintain the required distance.
Are drones allowed in the national parks?
Do not assume drones are allowed. Drone use and commercial filming may require separate permissions from park authorities and relevant aviation authorities. Obtain all necessary approvals before travelling with a drone for use in a park.
Will I see the Big Five?
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes and lions, among other wildlife. However, this particular itinerary does not include Akagera, where all five members of the Big Five are protected. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Can I photograph tree-climbing lions in Ishasha?
Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions, but sightings depend on animal movements and conditions. Your guide will search suitable areas, but a sighting cannot be promised.
Is the itinerary suitable for beginners?
Yes. Beginners can enjoy the safari using a smartphone or basic camera. The guide can help identify wildlife and suitable photography opportunities, while park rangers provide instructions during gorilla trekking.
Can I add Akagera National Park?
Yes. Akagera is an excellent addition for savannah wildlife photography, including opportunities to look for elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos and other animals. Adding it would require extra days or replacing part of the current route.
Can I add Kibale Forest for chimpanzee photography?
Yes. Kibale Forest is an excellent destination for chimpanzee tracking and primate photography. We recommend adding at least two days to the itinerary to include it comfortably.
Is eight days enough?
Eight days provides a compact photographic safari across the three selected destinations. However, the final drive to Entebbe is long. An extra overnight in Entebbe is recommended, and photographers who want more time for wildlife observation may prefer a 10-day version.
Book Your 8-Day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife Photography Safari
Capture the beauty of East Africa on a journey through Rwanda’s volcanic forests, Uganda’s ancient rainforest and the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
From photographing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat to capturing elephants, hippos, birds and other wildlife on game drives and boat excursions, this safari offers memorable photographic opportunities.
Contact our team to check gorilla permit availability, select your preferred accommodation and receive a personalised quotation for your 8-day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife Photography Safari.