Updated
A good photography kit for Bwindi and a Uganda safari is built around one fast zoom lens, a second body or wide lens if you have one, plenty of batteries and memory cards, and serious rain protection. Weight matters on steep forest trails, so pack only what you will use in the one hour with the gorillas, and leave heavy extras at the lodge. Here is a checklist and the reasons behind each item.
The essentials checklist
- Camera body with good high-ISO performance, or two bodies to avoid lens changes in the forest
- Fast telephoto zoom such as 70-200 mm f/2.8 or 100-400 mm for gorillas and savannah wildlife
- Wide or standard zoom such as 24-70 mm for close encounters, scenery and people
- At least three batteries and a car charger or power bank, as power at some lodges is limited
- Several memory cards, rather than one large card, plus a way to back up each evening
- Rain cover for the camera, a dry bag or waterproof pack liner, and silica gel sachets
- Lens cloths and a blower for humidity and dust
- Beanbag for steadying long lenses on vehicle windows during game drives
- Small headlamp for early starts and night walks
What to leave behind
Tripods are impractical on gorilla treks and are usually not allowed to be set up near the gorillas; a monopod can double as a walking aid but is still awkward. Flash is banned around primates. Drones need permits and are not allowed over the parks without permission. Very long prime lenses of 500 mm or more are hard to use in dense forest, though useful for birds and savannah. See our guide to drone rules in Uganda’s parks.
Carrying it on the trek
Use a comfortable backpack-style camera bag with a rain cover, and consider hiring a porter to carry it so your hands are free on steep slopes. Keep the camera ready with the lens attached as you approach the gorillas, as changing lenses in wet forest risks moisture and dirt. Our guides to camera bags and batteries have more detail.
The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. For settings, see our camera settings guide.
Frequently asked questions
A fast telephoto zoom such as a 70-200 mm f/2.8 or 100-400 mm.
No. Tripods are impractical in the forest and generally not used near gorillas.
At least three, as charging can be limited at some lodges.
Use a rain cover, a dry bag and silica gel.
