Uganda Safari photography used to be thought about as separate from the ‘normal’ safari but technology has changed all of that. Now it is all about you capturing the places you visit with your own Camera/phone just so you can always remember.
Photographer or not, capturing the most serene places you visit for the record is very important and luckily smartphones have made it very easy for you. You want to take pictures of every little thing you see that stands out, anything out of the ordinary.
While modern high-end phones can do a decent job, carrying a camera is a great idea. You don’t really need to go and look for the most complicated camera and accessories because the camera you already have might just work fine.
You should be familiar with using your camera of choice so that it doesn’t cause you a headache while you try to capture something special.
Here are the places we think are great photo spots, and if you happen to come to Uganda, try to have as many of them as you can.
1. THE EQUATOR
The equator is the imaginary line that separates the earth into two equal parts. The northern, and the southern hemisphere. The allure of straddling the equator is in doing it with friends and cementing that fun moment with a picture.
The most famous equator point in Uganda is located in Mpigi – 72 kilometres away from Kampala. As part of your Equator fun, don’t forget to try out the water experiment and learn about being lighter when you are near the equator.
On both sides of the equator lies several gift and craft shops as well as coffee shops where you can get anything from African handmade beaded bags to curved animals and wildlife art.
After seeing many ‘Uganda Equator’ pictures online, it might seem like an overused cliche, but this one doesn’t grow old. This will be even more fun if you have a group of friends with you and they can get in the pictures and make funny emoji faces.
2. LAKE BUNYONYI
Known to be the deepest lake in East Africa, Bunyonyi lies at an altitude of approximately 1,960 meters above sea level.
Lake Bunyonyi is 25km long and 7km wide. It has small 29 islands one of which is the infamous ‘Punishment’ island – where many years ago, young women who got pregnant before they were traditionally wed or married were punished by leaving them stranded on this island.
The view is breathtaking, with the surrounding green hills of Kigezi, the thick mist that surrounds the lake early morning and afternoon sun reflecting on the lake makes you want to stay and never go back home.
Bunyonyi is great for bird watching, canoeing, swimming in the lake and mountain biking around the lake and nearby hills. It will be tough for you to choose between fully immersing yourself in these activities, or taking pictures – but that is a good hard decision to face.
3. MOUNT SABINYO
While you are already in Southwestern Uganda, you might as well climb Mount Sabinyo. Sabinyo is one of the many volcanoes that dot the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
You could climb all of them if you wanted, but here is why you shouldn’t miss Sabinyo. The highest point is a perfect intersection for the borders of DRC, Uganda and Rwanda. Being in 3 countries at once is just cool. Not that its a competition but I would think it beats being in two hemispheres at once (the equator).
On a clear day, you can be able to look northward and see the peaks of Mount Rwenzori. Of course, this altitude has few clear days, but how cool is being able to see more than 200 kilometres away.
There is no need of saying how much fun this could be for your photography mind.
4. BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is very famous as the natural habitat for mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are Uganda’s biggest attraction – and rightfully so because they are just incredible.
Besides the gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a rich ecosystem of birds, monkeys, duikers, old and ancient trees, and even sparkling waterfalls. Those are the unexpected surprises of a gorilla trek in Bwindi. All of this gives you overwhelming photography opportunities – and that is good.
To shoot pictures of mountain gorillas, you will need to purchase a gorilla permit – which is your day pass for seeing the gorillas in Uganda. This must be arranged in advance. Here is a detailed article about Uganda gorilla permits.
Whether you end up seeing gorillas or not, you will have a great time photographing around Bwindi. Again, just remember to put the camera down every now and then, and enjoy nature. The trees, the birds, the sounds and the harmony of it all.
5. QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Regarded the most popular National Park in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth has a range of climate – and the biodiversity that comes with each. With over 600 bird species, most of the savannah wildlife animals and primates such as chimpanzees and monkeys, the park provides a rich variety.
The most loved of all activities is seeing the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha sector. They are fascinating and you might end up filing a video instead of taking still pictures.
An additional favourite is the Kazinga Channel water banks which are frolicking with hippos, elephants, birds, Uganda kobs, buffaloes and Nile crocodile. All this variety mean that you can have your pick of what you photograph.
6. RWENZORI MOUNTAINS
The Rwenzori mountains are also known as the mountains of the moon. The Rwenzori is the highest mountain ranges (groups of mountains) in Africa and has Africa’s 3rd tallest peak Margharita (5109m) on Mount Stanely.
Climbing Mount Rwenzori is one of the toughest things you can do on a Uganda Safari – especially if you climb high above the snow line and up to the peak. This could take you about 9 to 10 days to climb and come back down. That takes longer than climbing mount Kilimanjaro.
As you climb, you will start from Kasese which is very hot and slowly change climates as you ascend. Because it is not a straight upward climb (being a mountain range), the challenge is serious. This is far from hiking or gorilla trekking.
The incredible vistas will present great opportunities for photos. It will be up to you to either take the photo with your camera or close your eyes and hold it steady in your mind. Since there is no electricity up the mountain, make sure you have enough batteries and power banks. Extra memory cards too.
Rwenzori is a big feat and you have to prepare well if you intend to climb. There are shorter climbs that go halfway up the mountain and those can be organised too. For a full picture of what Rwenzori can be, Take a look at our 9 day Rwenzori climbing safari. This will give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Tough as it is, if your friends have climbed mountains (except, well .. like Mt. Everest) you will likely ‘outbrag’ them. And you will have the photographic evidence to show.
7. KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Kibale National Park is very well known because of Chimpanzees. The natural rain forests is a habitat for chimpanzees and 12 other primates such as monkeys, baboons, mangabeys and more. Kibale is also home for several other mammals and bird species.
Chimpanzees exhibit some ‘human’ social habits that show why our DNA close relationship isn’t just plain science numbers. Like gorilla tracking, you can only see chimpanzees when you have a chimpanzee permit to allow you a day’s access.
Another appealing option would be taking part in Chimpanzee habituation – getting them acclimatized to human interaction. The best advantage with this is you are presented with the opportunity to see (and show via your photography) the chimpanzees while they are being transformed for routine tourism visits. No telling what sort of photos you could get here.
8. SEMULIKI HOTSPRINGS
Semuliki National Park is very popular because of its ‘Male’ and ‘Female’ hot springs. There are great old stories about how these hot springs came to be and what they mean according to local folklore.
Besides the hot springs, Semuliki National Park is great for birdwatching because it is inhabited by both East African and Central African Species – some of where are found nowhere else in East Africa.
9. WESTERN UGANDA’S CRATER LAKES
Areas of Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Fort Portal are dotted by more than 40 crater lakes. While the geographic explanation of what leads to the creation of craters is clear, some of these lakes have very interesting local folklore that will knock your socks off.
These craters, if for nothing else are very picturesque. So picture-perfect that one of them – Lake Nyinambuga is emblazoned on the 20,000 Uganda Shillings note. In some areas where the crates are so close, drone footage will be you best and most prized photo op.
10. MURCHISON FALLS
Murchison Falls National Park is aptly named after the main waterfall on the Nile that separates the park into two almost equal parts.
Seeing the Nile – with all the rumbling strength you can imagine squeeze through a 7-meter gap is beyond simple words. A hike to the top of the Murchison falls shows you the Nile going through the narrow passage before making a 40-meter dive below to flow calmly to Lake Albert. A boat ride to the bottom of the falls provides a different look at the might of the water. During the boat ride, you pass many hippos, birds, crocodiles and elephants that are enjoying the water by the river bank.
Beyond the falls, Murchison falls national park has many animals such as giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes.
All these are great activities for your photos. Look online at what pictures other people have taken and get creative with it.
11. KIDEPO VALLEY
Kidepo is Uganda’s least explored national park – because of its distant location from the other parks. Kidepo is the only park in Uganda where you can see both Zebras and Giraffes. Other Animals present only in Kidepo include the Cheetah and many birds of prey.
Beyond the animals, Kidepo has seasonal rivers which can be a sight if you happen to be there when the heavy rains start.
While you are there, this is something you must not miss. The sunset. A lot of places have incredible sunsets and it seems cheap to ask you to take a picture of the sunset but the Kidepo sunset is worth it.
Watch it wash over the whole valley – it is like watching nature transform itself. Chances are your photo won’t do the kidepo sunset justice – but that is a good thing too. Just remember to be in the moment and let it sink into your core.
12. SOURCE OF THE NILE
Being at the source of the Nile – the longest river in the world is already good enough bragging rights. The source of the Nile is in Jinja and there is so much more you can do in this small town called East Africa’s Adventure capital.
Aside from the actual point of the source of the Nile, you can go horseback riding, white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking and the most a great party scene. Some of the activities might be photographed/filmed with a GoPro camera because you will need all your hands.
Jinja is exciting, and the adrenaline rush activities make for great exploration. The best thing about Jinja is that it is near Kampala and even if one is in Uganda for a short weekend, they can easily detour there.
13. SIPI FALLS
This is a triple fantasy with three waterfalls at the edge of Mountain Elgon. Located in Kapchorwa district only about 270 km from Kampala, it is one of those ‘weekend away’ trips everyone should definitely take.
Take a hike up the falls and you will be rewarded by the beautiful view of the Karamoja lowlands, lake Kyoga and a little bit of the Kenya Uganda border. The highest of these falls drops at 100m letting down a wave of drops that refreshes the air around you, looking at it makes you want to let go and be free.
Take lodging at resorts that render a great view of the falls and still feel the rumble from afar. Engage in activities like hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and go as close as the falls basin for that picture to capture this moment forever.
People have been very creative with their pictures of Sipi falls. Look them up online for the inspiration – and try to do better.
14. KAMPALA HOTSPOTS
Kampala is Uganda’s Capital city and biggest business centre. This means that there is so much to enjoy around the city.
Among the top hotspots in Kampala are; Uganda martyrs shrines, Uganda Museum, Gadaffi Mosque, Kasubi tombs, Bulange Mengo, Owino Market, Bahai Temple among so many others.
Another part of Kampala to look out for is the night and party scene.
15. SSESE ISLAND
Ssese Islands are a collection of more than 80 small Islands in Lake Victoria. The Ssese Islands – with their natural forests, float on Lake Victoria’s blue waters like green jewels.
Ssese Islands are great for bird watching, fishing and a weekend getaway at the beach. The beaches of Sesse are much more exotic and excluded than the mainland beaches of lake victoria.
A visit to Ssese is generally relaxing and can be spiced by the birdwatching or tracking primates in the forests. Ssese is popular with honeymoon holidays for new couples who want to take some time together.
CONCLUSION
Finally the end. These 15 places are common picks that make for great photos of your safari. Of course, this list doesn’t look at everything you could do in Uganda to have great fun and take picture-perfect shots. There is a much bigger list of 37 things you can see and do in Uganda article that might be helpful.
While all these areas might seem interesting (because they really are), you should plan your trip based on your interests. That way, you will have a lot of those ‘good tough decisions’ about using the camera or enjoying the moment. There is so much to see in Uganda and it would take more than a month to look at all the highlights – and years to exhaust.
Take a look at some of our already made Uganda Safari Itineraries for inspiration.
Alternatively, you could send us a direct Safari request so that we can assist in creating for you something that is good for your schedule, interests and budget.
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