Best Time to Visit Uganda | Plan Your Ultimate Safari & Adventure

Best Time To Visit Uganda

Best Time To Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking and safari experience.
Uganda is known as a whole round travel destination to any tourist planning to travel. This is due to its climate and location to the equator. The other factor making Uganda a travel destination throughout the year is Lake Victoria and its unique weather patterns to the climate.

Uganda mainly has two rainy seasons; the short season starts from October to November and the long rainy season starts from Mid-march to the end of May. The best time to  visit Uganda for Uganda safaris

Therefore, the best time of the year when you should visit the gorillas is June, July, August and September. If that is not possible, January and February should be relatively okay.

Weather for the best time 

The average temperatures of Uganda are at 21.5 C and 71 F, these also drop at night time to around 54 F which affects the altitude. Rainfall in Uganda ranges between 1000-2000mm every year. However, throughout the year the skies in Uganda are clear which supports most safari vacations. These climate changes have brought about changes in weather patterns hence making it harder to predict the seasons of the tourism year.

Best time to visit Uganda for many tourists is from the month of May to September to February since in these months, the amount of rain has reduced and it’s sunny in most of the destinations. December is one of the busiest months of the year in most national park and it’s advisable to book the accommodation in time to avoid disappointments. During the Christmas season, most Uganda plan to take vacations to national parks so it’s always a peak season in the month of December.

Visiting in low season is okay to many tourists since accommodation is cheap to encourage many tourists to travel even though it’s a rainy season. Visiting in this season also means that you will enjoy the jungle with relatively low crowds. It’s also said that February and September are good months for a safari vacation in Uganda since there are less tourists visiting and the lodges are not fully booked as such in the high season.

The rainy season in Uganda affects people’s travels but that doesn’t mean that they don’t completely travel since this season is combined of both rains and sun shine. This means that the sun comes out as soon as it has just rained and most safari activities are able to be carried out without any disturbance. Mountain gorilla trekking as well as chimpanzee trekking goes on even during the rainy season and the national parks are fully in operation.

During the low season of March to May and October to November, most of the lodges reduce their rates to attract more tourists to book with them and this is an added advantage since even the gorilla permits are reduced to attract more tourists to Uganda.

More so, Uganda has got a raised topography and this means that its climate is cool, however, if you are planning to come for a gorilla trek, it’s really important to notice the easiest trekking conditions despite the low rates in the low season, this means that the best time to come for gorilla trekking is during the two dry seasons of January and February and from June to September.

Best time to visit Uganda for Game viewing or safaris

Best time to visit Uganda for game viewing or safaris in all the national parks of Uganda it in the dry season; from February and March, September and beginning of October.  This is mainly because the wildlife species are concentrated around water bodies within those parks.

Bird watching as an activity is best carried out between November and April when the migrant birds are present in the country but can also be carried out all year round. Tourists are however advisable to avoid taking vacations during the heavy rain months of April and May to be able to enjoy their vacations in Uganda

Best time to visit Uganda for Gorilla trekking

Best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park is during the dry seasons, which typically occur from June to August and from December to February. During these months, the weather is generally more stable, with less rainfall and drier trail conditions, making it easier to navigate through the forest.

Here are some factors to consider when planning your gorilla trekking trip:

1. Weather

The dry seasons offer more favorable weather conditions for trekking, with clear skies and less chance of rainfall. This makes the hiking trails less muddy and slippery, enhancing the overall trekking experience.

2. Gorilla Behavior

Mountain gorillas are easier to track during the dry seasons as they tend to stay at lower elevations in search of food. With denser foliage during the wet seasons, spotting and observing gorillas can be more challenging.

3. Accessibility

Roads leading to gorilla trekking trailheads may be more passable during the dry seasons, reducing the risk of delays or cancellations due to poor road conditions.

4. Availability of Permits

Gorilla trekking permits are in high demand throughout the year, but availability may be slightly better during the low tourist seasons than the high tourist season when they are sold on first come first serve basis by Uganda Wildlife Authority, which coincide with the rainy seasons. However, trekking during the dry seasons is still recommended for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.

5. Peak Tourist Season

The dry seasons also coincide with the peak tourist season in Uganda, especially from June to August. While this means more visitors and potentially higher accommodation and permit prices, it also offers a vibrant atmosphere and opportunities to connect with fellow travelers.

Ultimately, the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda depends on your preferences, schedule, and tolerance for weather conditions. Whether you choose to visit during the dry season for optimal trekking conditions or during the wet season for potentially fewer crowds and lower prices, encountering these magnificent primates on a gorilla trekking tour in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.