Nicky Souness, BHS Guide, took some incredible pics last month during a Guest Trip to Uganda.... If you’ve been waiting for a sign to pack your bags and head to East Africa, this is it.
Led by BHS guides Jo Cooper and Nicky (Nix) Souness, this BHS guest trip followed a breathtaking route: from the quiet shores of Lake Victoria to the wild valleys of Kidepo, the thunderous Nile at Murchison Falls, the dense forests of Kibale, the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and finally, into the misty mountain world of Bwindi.
Uganda is not a place you simply pass through. It unfolds slowly, in birdsong, forest mist, red earth roads, river light, open savanna, and the quiet intensity of great ape encounters.
This journey was designed to experience exactly that: the full, vivid texture of Uganda. Below, we showcase some of our absolute favorite photos from the trip to inspire your next great adventure. Keep an eye on the BHS Instagram for even more visual magic!
The Search Begins: Mabamba Swamp
Our journey started in Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, with an early morning boat excursion into the papyrus channels of Mabamba Swamp.
For many birders, this wetland is synonymous with one prehistoric giant: the Shoebill. As the sun rose, cameras clicked, capturing this magnificent bird alongside flashing Malachite Kingfishers and delicate African Jacanas.
"What always surprises people about Uganda is how varied it is. You can spend the morning on a boat searching for Shoebills, a few days later be watching lions, and before long you're standing face-to-face with mountain gorillas in the forest." - Jo Cooper, BHS Guide
Kidepo: Uganda’s Wild Frontier
Flying north, we touched down in Kidepo Valley National Park. It is vast, dramatic, and completely untouched by time. Massive herds of buffalo and elegant giraffes drifted across vibrant green plains framed by jagged mountain peaks.
"We were the only guests in the entire National Park. Not another vehicle, not another visitor. Just us and one of Africa’s last great wildernesses. To have one of Africa’s most spectacular wildernesses entirely to ourselves was an extraordinary privilege." - Jo Cooper, BHS Guide
"There is a feeling in Kidepo that is difficult to describe. It's not just about the wildlife. It's the remoteness. The silence. The feeling that you're experiencing a truly wild part of Africa." - Nicky Souness
Following the Nile to Murchison Falls
Heading south, the landscape transformed around the raw power of the Nile. At Murchison Falls, the entire river violently forces itself through a narrow gorge, plunging downward under a perpetual rainbow. From our boats, we photographed elephants drinking at the water's edge, pods of hippos, and giant crocodiles basking on the banks.
Into the Rainforest: Kibale & Ishasha
The savanna quickly gave way to the cool, dense canopy of Kibale National Park. Tracking chimpanzees brought an explosive burst of energy to the trip, watching them swing effortlessly through the branches and call out to one another was deeply humbling.
Lions In Trees
The road south led us through Queen Elizabeth National Park and into the Ishasha sector. This corner of Uganda is famous for one thing above all else: tree-climbing lions.
Even after years of guiding, it remains a remarkable sight. A lion draped across the branches of a candelabra tree somehow manages to look both entirely out of place and completely at home.
Combined with boat cruises along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel and excellent game viewing hroughout the region, Ishasha offered another reminder of just how diverse Uganda's safari experiences can be.
“We heard lions calling most nights, echoing through the rocky outcrops. We searched for them endlessly, but they remained wonderfully elusive.” - Jo Cooper, BHS Guide
Face To Face With Giants
Eventually, the road climbed higher. The forests thickened. The mountains appeared. And we arrived at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
For many travellers, this is the moment they have been dreaming about. Gorilla trekking is difficult to describe accurately because no description quite captures the emotion of the experience. The trek itself winds through dense forest and steep slopes. Then suddenly, after hours of anticipation, you find them. A silverback feeding quietly. A mother holding her infant. Youngsters tumbling through the vegetation. The forest becomes silent as everyone simply watches.
"Every gorilla trek feels special. You can prepare people for the hike, the forest, and what to expect. But you can never fully prepare them for how it feels when you first see a gorilla family." - Jo Cooper, BHS Guide
It is one of Africa's great wildlife experiences for a reason.
A Perfect Ending
The journey concluded with golden monkey trekking and final views across Lake Mutanda towards the Virunga volcanoes. As the group reflected on the previous two weeks, there was a shared appreciation for just how much Uganda had revealed. From Shoebills to chimpanzees. From lions to gorillas. From vast savannas to ancient rainforests. And more than 160 bird species along the way. Uganda is often called the Pearl of Africa.
After fifteen unforgettable days exploring its wild corners, it is difficult to think of a more fitting description!
View the Full Bird List
One of the highlights of the journey was the incredible birding. Across the safari, the group recorded more than 160 species spanning wetlands, savannas, forests, rivers, and mountain habitats.
Explore the complete birding list and uncover the extraordinary birdlife that makes Uganda a birder’s paradise.
Join Our Uganda Expedition or Create Your Own Journey
This safari formed part of the BHS Uganda Expedition, led by Jo Cooper and Nicky Souness, showcasing the very best of Uganda, from Kidepo and Murchison Falls to Kibale and Bwindi.
Join one of our future Uganda Expeditions for a guided small-group adventure, or let us create a tailor-made journey designed around your interests, whether that's wildlife, birding, photography, or gorilla trekking.
“To have one of Africa’s most spectacular wildernesses entirely to ourselves was an extraordinary privilege. No crowds, no traffic, no other vehicles, just wild Africa at its most authentic.” - Jo Cooper, BHS Guide
Get in touch with the BHS team to start planning your Uganda adventure.
(All photography featured in this article by Nicky Souness. Watch our Instagram for more updates!)
FAQS
Yes. Uganda is exceptional for a photography safari because it offers extraordinary variety in one journey: shoebills in Mabamba Swamp, savannah wildlife in Kidepo and Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
Uganda stands out because you can move from wetlands and the Nile to remote savannah, rainforest and mountain gorilla habitat in one itinerary. It is ideal if you want a safari that feels diverse, active and visually rich.
You can photograph mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of Africa’s most important gorilla trekking destinations. The experience takes you into dense forest and steep mountain terrain for a carefully managed encounter with a wild gorilla family.
One of the best places to see the Shoebill in Uganda is Mabamba Swamp, near Entebbe on Lake Victoria. Early morning boat trips through the papyrus channels offer a strong chance of seeing this remarkable bird, along with other wetland species.
On a Uganda safari, you can see mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and exceptional birdlife. Depending on the route, you may also explore Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Ishasha and Bwindi.
Yes. Uganda is one of Africa’s finest birding destinations, with wetlands, forests, savannahs and mountain habitats supporting extraordinary diversity. On this BHS Uganda journey, the group recorded more than 160 bird species across the route.
