Specialised Photography Tutorials
Dr. Braczkowski will teach landscape and wildlife photography techniques, including:
- off-camera flash and Lightroom workshop
- composition
- editing
- Astrophotography session, capturing nocturnal landscapes and wildlife
Big Cat Photography Safari with Dr Alexander Braczkowski
Big Cat Photography Safari with Dr Alexander Braczkowski
Join Dr. Alexander Braczkowski, a renowned big cat biologist, wildlife filmmaker, and National Geographic Explorer, for an exclusive Volcanoes Safaris Big Cat Photography Expedition to Uganda in 2025 and 2026.
With over 15 years of experience studying and documenting large carnivores across Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, Alex brings unparalleled expertise in wildlife photography and guiding to this conservation and photography safari.
You will journey into the heart of two of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, and enjoy unparalleled opportunities to photograph some of the world’s most charismatic predators including the remarkable tree-climbing lions. You will also spend an afternoon fishing on the River Nile and trek to a group of isolated chimpanzees living in Kyambura Gorge.
Learn specialist photographic skills during afternoon tutorials at the lodge and put them to practice during early morning and evening game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Stay at the luxurious riverside Nile Safari Lodge and the award-winning Kyambura Gorge Lodge for three nights each.
Join this exclusive specialist photography and big cat conservation safari in 2026, with two departures starting on 9 March 2026 and 9 May 2026. Rates from $12,000 per person on a shared basis, for this all inclusive 7-night safari.
About Dr. Alexander Braczkowski
Alex’s work has featured in internationally acclaimed documentaries on National Geographic and Disney channels, esteemed journals including Nature, Science, and Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, and covered by major media outlets including CNN, The New York Times.
He has published ground-breaking research on big cat conservation, including the impact of human-wildlife conflict on leopards in Uganda, sex ratios in African lions, and novel approaches to large carnivore monitoring.
Alex co-founded the Kyambura Lion Project in partnership with the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust in Uganda, focusing on community-driven conservation. The project offers members of local communities an opportunity to be part of cutting-edge wildlife science, fostering sustainable coexistence between people and predators.
Safari Highlights
Guided Photography and game drives with Dr Alexander Braczkowski
Join Dr Alexander Braczkowski or one of the Lion Monitoring project team coordinators for a specialised photography game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
Dinner with Dr. Ludwig Siefert from the Uganda Carnivore Program
Join Dr. Ludwig Siefert from the Uganda Carnivore Program, one of Volcanoes Safaris’ conservation partners for an informal talk on the lion research and conservation efforts in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
During the talk you will gain insights into the monitoring and conservation of large carnivores like lions, leopards and hyenas.
River Nile Cruise to the Falls
Enjoy a private boat cruise along the Nile, observing wildlife and breathtaking scenery.
You will spot Nile crocodiles, elephants, and diverse bird species in their natural habitat. Visit the delta, home to a variety of bird species and wildlife, and keep an eye out for the rare Shoebill Stork.
Nile Perch Fishing
Sport fishing in Murchison Falls National Park provides a unique opportunity to enrich your travel experience in the African wilderness.
You can fish for Nile Perch in the stunning River Nile, guided by experts who will take you to the best spots, giving you a chance to catch these iconic fish.
With their impressive size and fighting spirit, Nile Perch are a prized catch for anglers of all skill levels, from seasoned fishermen to beginners.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Experience the thrill of chimpanzee trekking in the natural high canopies and across river bridges. Starting from Kyambura Gorge Lodge, the 2-3 hour trek involves navigating steep gorges and log bridges, demanding agility and fitness. Nearby Kalinzu Forest also offers a glimpse into the lives of 40 habituated chimpanzees.
Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation
The Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation, located near Kibale and Kyambura Gorge Lodge, features a gallery and bronze foundry showcasing world-class sculptures inspired by Uganda’s clan totems. In 2024, VSPT partnered with the Foundation to support local artists. Guests can view sculptures at Kibale Lodge and visit the Foundation.
Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative
The Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative offers vocational training and a sustainable income source for twenty local women, many facing significant challenges. They cultivate over 2,500 coffee plants organically, which are processed locally and served at Volcanoes Safaris lodges. This initiative not only supports these women but also serves as a wildlife buffer, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Contributions help expand the project and sustain the community.
Kyambura Gorge Buffer
Since 2009, the VSPT has developed a 3km buffer along Kyambura Gorge, showcased through a guided walk that offers views over the Gorge, Park, and local homesteads. Plans for 2024 include expanding this buffer by twenty acres to further protect wildlife and support local communities. Contributions towards this effort are crucial for continued conservation success.
Safari Guides
Alex Braczkowski
Head of Lion Monitoring Team
Bosco Atukwatse
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, VSPT Field Coordinator
Caroline Kyarimpa
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, VSPT Guide
Immaculate Natukunda
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, VSPT Guide
Johnson Muhereza
Assistant Field Researcher
Orin Cornille
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, VSPT Field Coordinator
Big Cat Photography Safari with Dr Alexander Braczkowski Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, where you’ll be greeted by a Volcanoes Safaris representative. Transfer to Hotel No. 5 for check-in.
Enjoy drinks and a welcome dinner with Dr. Braczkowski, who will provide an overview of the safari, sharing insights from his extensive research on big cats, including his work on leopards and African lions.
Overnight at Hotel No. 5 (dinner, breakfast).
Day 2
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport for a domestic flight to Pakuba Airstrip in Murchison Falls National Park.
On arrival at Nile Safari Lodge, relax and enjoy a light lunch with views over the river.
Nile Safari Lodge offers a magical escape in the most luxurious, tranquil, and eco-friendly setting in Uganda. Explore the breathtaking views of the River Nile every corner of our lodge. Experience the awe-inspiring spectacles on offer on the banks of the world’s longest river and Uganda’s largest national park.
Embark on an afternoon game drive in the Nile Delta, renowned for its high densities of leopards and other predators. Dr. Braczkowski will share findings from his research, which has documented leopard densities reaching 14 individuals per 100 km² in this area.
Dinner at the lodge, followed by a presentation from Dr. Braczkowski on predator ecology and conservation strategies in Murchison Falls National Park.
Overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3
Set out on an early morning game drive focused on tracking big cats. Dr. Braczkowski will provide guidance on eye-level photography techniques, drawing from his experience as a wildlife cameraman and photographer with National Geographic Television and Magazine.
Return to the lodge for an afternoon siesta followed by a specialized photography tutorial session. Dr. Braczkowski will teach off-camera flash techniques to capture stunning images of predators at dusk as part of a Lightroom workshop going through their imagery, discussing composition, and showing critical editing techniques.
In the early evening go for a game drive in the park.
Overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 4
Enjoy a morning private boat cruise along the Nile, observing wildlife such as Nile crocodile, hippo elephant, and diverse bird species.
Over lunch, join Dr. Braczkowski for a discussion on human-wildlife conflict and conservation strategies, referencing his publication on the unequal burden of such conflicts.
Engage in evening an astrophotography session, capturing nocturnal landscapes and, if fortunate, nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 5
Transfer from Nile Safari Lodge to Pakuba Airstrip for a short flight to Kasese.
On route to the Kyambura Gorge Lodge, visit the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation and learn about the cultural partnership with Volcanoes Safaris to support Ugandan Artists. Head out on an afternoon drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park searching for the tree-climbing lions, and maybe even spot a leopard in one of the Kasenyi plains’ unique candelabra trees (a giant cactus like tree where lions and leopards often rest).
Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails on the veranda overlooking the savannah plains with the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. Dr Alex, Dr Ludwig Siefert from the Uganda Carnivore Project, and researchers from the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project will join you to present some of their long term conservation science on lions in the region.
Flying time between 1 to 1.5 hours, driving time 2 hours.
Overnight at Kyambura Gorge Lodge (lunch, dinner).
Day 6
Enjoy an early breakfast and set out for a morning game drive to find Queen Elizabeth’s legendary tree-climbing lions. The Kasenyi plains are excellent for sighting lions, leopard, elephant and buffalo and Dr Alex and his team will guide guests on specialized photography techniques to get eye-level shots of African lions in the trees. We will be joined by James Kalyewa from the Uganda Carnivore Program and we will track lions on VHF as part of their experiential tourism program. The Mweya peninsula is one of the best places to look for leopards, which live in the dense, scrubby thickets.
You will be joined by a member of the Kyambura Lion Team on your game drive who will teach you how to take lion identification photos and track your GPS, which will form part of an annual carnivore census as part of the Lion Monitoring Project.
On return to the lodge, participate in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism Project. Try roasting coffee with the Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative, go birding in the Kyambura reclaimed wetlands, and plant a tree seedling in the wildlife buffer zone.
Overnight at Kyambura Gorge Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 7
After breakfast walk from the lodge directly down into Kyambura Gorge, to search for the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura’. The gorge is an extraordinary natural environment and forms a stark contrast to the surrounding grasslands. Here you can track one of our closest animal relatives: the chimpanzee. This group of isolated chimps are quite mobile and viewing can be unpredictable but the walk itself is exciting and enchanting.
In the afternoon take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes Edward and George. Kazinga is home to one of the greatest concentrations of hippo in Africa and herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals come to drink at the water’s edge. The channel is a magnet for waterbirds, with great flocks of pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle. At the end of the cruise head for one final photography session with the tree climbing lions and Alex and his team.
After your boat cruise harvest honey with the Kyambura bee-keeping cooperative, see a performance from the Omumushaka Dance Group, and go on a gorge walk to see birds, monkeys and other wildlife around Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Overnight at Kyambura Gorge Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 8
Transfer from Kyambura Gorge Lodge to Kasese airstrip for your flight to Entebbe and connect to your international flight.
Approximate Travel Times: Flying 1 to 2 hours; Driving 1 hour
(Breakfast at the lodge)