WILD NATURE PHOTO TRAVEL

This is a unique and special opportunity for a small group of just six passionate photographers to photograph wild Chimpanzees and Gorillas in the stunning forests of Uganda. A small group of participants guarantees a more personal and intimate experience than bigger groups can provide.

Primate trekking in Uganda promises a profound connection with one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, leaving you with indelible memories and a deep appreciation for the importance of preserving these endangered creatures and their ecosystems.

Kibale National Park: Kibale National Park is most famous for chimpanzee tracking, but there are also another 12 species of primates that reside there, alongside 70 mammal species, and over 375 kinds of birds. The 795 km2 (307 mi2) park contains one of the most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda, with forests, grassland, and swamp on an elevated plateau. The plateau reaches a height of 1,590 m (5,216 ft) and then drops down to 1,100m (3,608 ft) on the floor of the rift valley, where the landscape offers a drastic contrast of woodland and open savannah plains.

Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south, creating an important 180 km (111 mi) long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park.

Primate Lodge Kibale: Located deep within Kibale National Park and adjacent to the starting point for chimpanzee tracking and the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, Primate Lodge Kibale is surrounded by rainforest inhabited by more than 13 primate species, along with numerous mammals, butterflies, and birds. A winding forest path leads to the main lodge, where facilities include a spacious restaurant serving Ugandan and international cuisine, a well-stocked bar, terrace dining, and an open lounge furnished with large chairs, sofas, and soft cushions. A wellbeing spa offers specialist massage therapies, while the nightly campfire provides a relaxed setting for listening to bird calls and the chatter of primates beneath the forest canopy. Constructed using local materials, the lodge supports conservation and surrounding communities through employment, locally grown products, handmade crafts, and cultural performances.

Experience and Activities: Activities center on guided chimpanzee tracking and the full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, which provides an extended opportunity to observe the animals as they feed, rest, play, and move through the forest. Guided forest walks introduce younger guests to the local ecosystem through nature exploration, creative activities, and games, while birding excursions follow forest trails in search of the park’s recorded birdlife. Guests can also take nocturnal walks to look for bush babies, pottos, and other nighttime wildlife; explore the birds, primates, and butterflies of Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary; or join a Bigodi Village Walk focused on traditional customs and daily life. Longer excursions visit the Bunyaruguru crater lakes, Lake Nkuruba, Mahoma Falls, Sebitole Forest, the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, and nearby tea estates. The two- to six-day Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail combines forest hiking, wildlife viewing, village visits, and insights into Batoro and Bakiga culture.

Accommodation Luxury Cottage: Privately tucked among the trees, spacious Luxury Cottages feature either one king-size bed or two double beds, an en-suite bathroom, and a comfortable sitting area with armchairs and a reading table. Each cottage also includes wifi and a spacious private veranda overlooking the forest, creating a peaceful setting for listening to the surrounding birds and primates.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: At only 321 km2 (124 mi2), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers a small area but packs a big punch in terms of wildlife conservation, most famously protecting an estimated 400 mountain gorillas.

In addition to gorilla, the park boasts 120 mammal species including elephant and antelope, and over 350 species of bird. It is considered one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and is among Uganda's oldest and most varied rainforests, dating back over 25,000 years and containing almost 400 species of plants. The park is scenically quite spectacular, full of lush bamboo forests and hardwoods.

Accommodation Mahogany Springs Lodge: Mahogany Springs Lodge is located in the Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, within a short distance of the gorilla trekking starting point. Set in landscaped gardens overlooking the Munyanga River, the lodge offers views of the surrounding forest and provides a secluded base for exploring one of Africa’s most biodiverse destinations.

The main lodge building sits on a hillside with a panoramic terrace overlooking Bwindi. Amenities include a restaurant serving internationally inspired cuisine, a bar, private dining options, a lounge with a fireplace, spa treatments, and a gift shop featuring locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Ideal for couples, families, and solo travellers, Superior Deluxe Suites are spacious and bright with high ceilings and beautiful views of the surrounding area. Each suite includes a large bathroom with a walk-in terracotta shower, as well as mosquito nets, charging points, electricity, and hot running water

Experience and Activities: Mahogany Springs Lodge provides access to a range of experiences. Gorilla trekking is the area's signature activity, offering the chance to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Additional wildlife experiences include birdwatching, with more than 350 recorded bird species in Bwindi, and guided nature walks through the forest to nearby waterfalls.

Cultural and conservation-focused activities include community tours that explore local traditions and daily life, and a tree-planting program that supports sustainability efforts. Guests can also visit the lodge's vegetable garden with the chef.

Gorilla Trekking: Trekking gorillas in Uganda is a life-changing experience that takes you deep into the lush and remote rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Your adventure begins with a briefing by park rangers who provide essential information on the gorilla family you'll be visiting, as well as guidelines to ensure your safety and minimize your impact on the gorillas and their habitat.

The trek itself can vary in duration and difficulty, as it depends on the location of the gorilla group, but it typically involves hiking through dense undergrowth, traversing steep terrain, and crossing streams. However, the effort is well worth it when you come face-to-face with these majestic creatures. Once you locate a gorilla family, you'll be allowed to spend a precious hour in their presence, observing their natural behaviours, interactions, and perhaps even witnessing the nurturing of young gorillas.

Although the immense size of the silverbacks might be overwhelming, these 400-pound creatures are actually extremely accommodating to human presence amongst their family. The guides might even teach you a few words in ‘Gorilla’ so you can greet them and show that you are, in fact, friendly!

The day of the trek usually begins with an early start at your hotel and then a drive to park headquarters. Here, park officials introduce you to your gorilla guides. After being briefed on protocols, you head over to the specific starting point, where teams of porters are available for hire (optional).

Equipment: Both wide-angle and fast mid-range zoom lenses are recommended.

Dietary Requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.

Application: This workshop is open to all participants.

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