Mountain Gorilla Photography Experience in Uganda
Mountain Gorilla Photography is an amazing wildlife experience during gorilla trekking in Africa particularly in Uganda. However, it can be expensive. Just the permits to see the gorillas can cost a lot, sometimes as much as a whole wildlife safari with other activities like game drives and boat cruises. But trust me, the experience is totally worth the money.
These amazing creatures are only found in certain national parks: Mgahinga, Virunga, Volcanoes, and Bwindi. You won’t find them in any zoo. If you’re planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, don’t forget your camera. You’ll want to capture every special moment of this incredible experience. But taking photos of gorillas can be tough, especially in Bwindi’s thick forest. It’s easier in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where the forest is not as dense, giving you unforgettable memories. But don’t worry, with the help of experienced ranger guides in Uganda, you can still get great gorilla photos.
Photography Tips
The most important rule for gorilla photography is to use cameras without flashes. Flashes can scare the gorillas and make them aggressive, like charging and beating their chests. It’s rare, but they might even physically attack visitors.
During photography, it’s important to keep a physical distance of 7 meters from the gorillas. So, having different types of lenses like zoom, wide angle, and fixed focal lenses can help you get the best shots. Sometimes gadgets can be unpredictable, so bringing two cameras isn’t a bad idea. And don’t forget to pack a waterproof bag to protect your camera from rain, extra batteries, and make sure your camera is fully charged before your trip.
Professional Photography
If you’re a professional photographer, like a journalist or documentary maker, you’ll need to buy gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator. They can also help you book your entire gorilla safari, including accommodation and transport services.
Gorilla Photography Permits in Uganda
In Uganda, if you want to take pictures with gorillas, you need to get a permit. The price of the permit depends on where you’re from. For people who aren’t residents of Uganda, it costs $800. If you’re a foreigner living in Uganda, it’s $700. And for people who live in East Africa, it’s 300,000 shillings.
When you book a gorilla safari, you can also do photography. You don’t have to pay extra for photography if you already have a permit. With your permit, you get one hour to take pictures with a group of gorillas that are used to people.
But if you want more time with the gorillas, you can get a different kind of permit. It’s called the Gorilla Habituation Experience permit. With this permit, you can spend four hours with a group of gorillas that are getting used to people. This permit costs $1500.
If you want to film gorillas instead of taking pictures, it costs more. It’s $4200 per person per hour. But you still need to pay for the regular gorilla permit on top of that.
Because gorilla permits are limited, you need to book them well in advance. It’s best to book your permit 3 to 4 months before you plan to go see the gorillas.
Best Time for the Mountain Gorilla Photography
You can take pictures with gorillas in Uganda all year round. But the best time to get really good pictures is during the dry season. This is from January to February, and then from June to September, and finally in December.
During the dry season, the vegetation is not as thick. This means you can see the gorillas more clearly and get better pictures. Also, the forest trails are not as muddy or slippery, so it’s easier to move around and take pictures.