Photographing gorillas well means managing genuinely difficult low light under dense forest canopy, and this itinerary is built around that reality — smaller groups, two separate treks in different forests, and guides who understand positioning for images, not just viewing.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Entebbe, then a road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Arrive Entebbe, Transfer to Bwindi
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge
LuxuryBuhoma Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family, with your guide positioning the group for available light and clear sightlines through the vegetation.
Gorilla Trekking and Photography, Bwindi
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A guided forest walk focused on macro and landscape photography — chameleons, forest flora and Bwindi’s dramatic terrain.
Forest Photography, Buhoma Trails
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A drive to the Cyanika border, continuing to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Cross Border to Kinigi, Rwanda
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A second gorilla trek in genuinely different terrain — more open bamboo and afro-alpine vegetation, offering different compositions from Bwindi’s dense forest.
Gorilla Trekking and Photography, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A morning trek photographing golden monkeys in the bamboo zone — fast-moving subjects that reward a longer visit and patience.
Golden Monkey Photography
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A drive south through Rwanda’s terraced hills to Nyungwe Forest.
Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeNyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
LuxuryNyungwe Forest Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A morning chimpanzee trek followed by Nyungwe’s suspended canopy walkway, giving a rare elevated forest-canopy vantage point for landscape work.
Chimpanzee Photography and Canopy Walk, Nyungwe
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A drive to Kigali, with time in the afternoon to review and back up images from the trip.
Transfer to Kigali, Image Review
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeUbumwe Grande Hotel
LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Uganda gorilla permit | $800 per person |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| Golden monkey & Nyungwe chimpanzee permits | $100 per person each |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Photographers who understand primate photography’s specific technical challenges and want an itinerary that genuinely accounts for them.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Photography-experienced driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- All permits & park entry fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Camera gear and lenses