Any photographer around the world should not miss Uganda’s wildlife, birds and animals. Western Uganda provides you with a combination of all these dramatic features worthy to be captured with your camera. You can take pictures of gorillas in the dense forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park. The environment here is best for cameras that work in areas with low light since it is characterized by thick forests that are dark and dense.
You can use a camera with a zoom lens i.e. 70 to 200mm for clear photography. A camera that consists of two bodies with different lenses on each is the best since there is always no time to change lenses whenever gorillas are on the move. Never forget to turn your flash off since flash photography is not allowed during gorilla trekking ventures.
Tips for gorilla photography safari in Uganda?
Ensure to carry all your necessary equipment such as photographic gear and cameras before making your way to the expedition. It is better to buy all that you must have before leaving the capital, since big cities like Kampala and Entebbe are far from gorilla trekking areas. Reserve memory cards and other storage devices and spare battery are vital to avoid any uncertainties.
One of the most essential equipment is a light weight tripod that makes photography of wildlife and landscape easier not forgetting a small beanbag which you can use to make your camera steady while shooting gorillas and other animals out of the car window during a game drive or nature walk.
It is advisable to ask for permission from people in case you are interested in taking individual pictures. The good thing is that most people are usually willing to take pictures with any visitors as long as they seek their consent first.
Important to remember is that in most cases you will have to be on the move with gorillas, it is therefore advisable to prepare yourself in advance so that when you happen to meet these animals you dedicate your time to them not just on deleting your camera photos.
Remember to switch off your automatic flash and any focusing lights while trekking. This is because flash photography is not allowed as it might scare away the gorillas.
In the event that you have a film camera, take fast film (400-1600 ASA). Photography professionals recommend shooting at ISO 1250 or above while in the forest.
If it is your lucky day, you will meet your favorite gorilla family out in the open on a sunny day. This is obviously the perfect moment for photography. However, depending on where you are and season of visitation you are most likely to do the photography in fairly gloomy and dark atmosphere while at Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks since they lie under low mist and dense forest canopies.
It feels special having a one-on-one interaction with the mighty and shy endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. It is a story worth telling and a moment turned into memory. It is a moment to embrace the beauty of nature as you see how these animals socialize, feed, mate and play. Here you have an opportunity of capturing as many pictures and videos as your camera can hold.
Have you been passionate about experiencing life with mountain gorillas? Visit Uganda now and let your dreams come true. Spend time watching these giant apes as they play, mate, feed, fight, run around and do life. Take as many pictures and capture as many videos as you wish. Much as gorilla trekking is the major activity of the day, do not forget that a lot of adventure is part of the trekking; you see a multitude of animals, birds and plant species. Some of these animals include; buffalos, baboons, elephants, to mention but a few.
In a nutshell, consider being part of Gorilla photography safari in Uganda as you explore Africa and its immense beauty.
