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Are you planning to visit Uganda soon but you are not sure of when it is best to go for a safari in its parks? Depending on what your travel interests are, safaris to Uganda can be done at any time of the year. Regardless of this fact, it is important that you also put into consideration which month of the year is more preferable for you to get the best of African safari experience in Uganda’s wilderness areas. Equally, you also need to understand which season of the year is perfect for you to take part in Uganda safari.

Each season or month comes with its advantages and disadvantages and rewards travel endeavors with distinct experiences. Uganda’s distinct wildlife safari experience makes it an ideal travel destination in Africa. While on African safari in this spectacular country, you have variety of exciting activities to take part including primate walks, wildlife viewing, nature/forest walks, bird watching, butterfly watching, mountaineering, mountain bike/cycling, hot air balloon tours, cultural encounters a mention but a few.

When planning for a safari to Uganda’s parks, expect to explore areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park which are set in the extreme southwestern side just at a border area with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These two parks are ideal for mountain gorilla trekking which is conducted throughout the year. For wildlife safari experiences, you can pay a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Semuliki Valley National Park. Wildlife safaris in the savanna grassland areas in Uganda take you through excellent views over wildlife such as lions, African buffaloes, leopards, African elephants, antelopes, birds, warthogs a mention but a few. For hikers, the key areas to explore include Mount Rwenzori National Park, Mount Elgon National Park while if you are interested in primate encounters, Kibale Forest National Park is that one exceptional safari destination for you to explore. Uganda is a home to 10 pristine national parks and each of which offers distinct history, nature and experiences.

For excellent safari experiences in Uganda’s stunning parks, June to August and December to February are ideal time for you to pay a visit to any of the parks in Uganda. The high/peak season in the parks ranges from June to September/December to February and during this period, all parks are busy. This means that if you are interested in mountain gorilla tracking or chimpanzee tracking you have to book for your permit early enough as demand is very high.

The low season is usually experienced in the months of March to May and from October to November. During this season, most parks receive heavy rainfall which favors plenty of floral growth and thus adequate of forage for wildlife species to depend on. And if you are on gorilla trek, it is advantageous in that you take nearly less hours to search for the mountain gorillas. But the disadvantage with it is that it comes with heavy rainfall and the trails become muddy and slippery thus making it a bit challenging for one to embark on trip or gorilla trek.  The best weather is usually experienced around June to July and January to February as they come with minimal rainfall amount.  The worst weather occurs around March to May. This is best described as a low season which also comes with low rates for safari lodges/accommodation options.

The Best Time to Visit Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda is during its two dry seasons: between December and February, and between June and August, when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Game spotting in national parks is also good at this time, as well as between February and March. Large numbers of wildlife can be seen at waterholes from September through to early October.

Temperatures barely change throughout the seasons, sitting around 24°C to 30°C, so you can visit Uganda all year round. The country is also fabulous for bird spotting at any time of year.

Visiting Uganda in January & February

January is a hot month and this weather is perfect for encountering chimpanzees and the endangered mountain gorillas, in some of the best places to visit in Uganda. The skies are clear, there is less rain and more sunshine. You can observe families on the move through the lush forests, a spectacularly connective experience with Mother Nature and her wild creatures.

February is quite a dry month which makes it an ideal time to pay a visit to the national parks in the south, and to do some gorilla trekking – without having to trek in muddy conditions. The north of the country can be quite hot and dusty during this period.

Visiting Uganda in March, April and May

March, April and May see the heaviest rainfall in Uganda, with shorter rains in October to November. This doesn’t affect your chances of spotting gorillas, although be prepared for a soggy, slippery trek! Waterproofs, and waterproof boots, are essential. It’s also believed that the gorillas linger on the warmer, lower slopes during wetter weather, so your trek may be shorter.

The wildlife is not migratory in Uganda so you can still see plenty of game in parks such as Queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls national park and Lake Mburo National Park although thicker vegetation makes spotting the animals a little harder. Do be aware that the already appalling roads will become even more bone shaking.

Visiting Uganda from June to September

This is the longest dry season with ideal conditions for gorilla tracking in the southern parks and for visiting Uganda overall, so if you can be flexible, we would advise visiting during this time. As gorillas reside in the rainforest, we still recommend taking waterproof clothing even during these drier months. This is peak season, so prices can be higher. Spotting other wildlife in Uganda at this time is also more likely.

Visiting Uganda in October and November

October is not a busy month when visiting Uganda. Prices are reasonable and this is a good time of year for specials on gorilla trekking permits. Most of the game parks are still accessible at this time, but the rainfall can be a little unpredictable.

During November the rain continues. The dry plains in the countryside turn a vibrant green due to all the thunderstorms, but there are fewer visitors this month because of less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Visting Uganda in December

December is the start of the dry season that lasts until February (and comes back around again from June to September). Some of the short rains linger into December, but these are usually unremarkable and won’t distract you from the gorillas and chimps.

The wildlife returns to the waterholes and access is great across the country. What’s more, Christmas is a big celebration in Uganda, so the country is buzzing with festivities which means that booking this trip needs to be done at least 6 months in advance.

When is the best time to see the mountain gorillas?

The best time to go to Uganda for a face-to-face encounter with the elusive mountain gorilla is between December and February or June and August. During these dry seasons, the skies are blue, days are clear, and hiking trails are relatively mud-free.

Although these incredible animals can be spotted year-round, conquering the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest during the rainy season can be slightly more challenging. Gorilla trekking can involve several hours of walking up and down hills, and during the wet months, trails will be muddy and slippery and thick tropical foliage can present some roadblocks. The off-season does have its benefits, though, and with fewer crowds, you might find yourself meeting a family of gorillas with only a handful of other trekkers.

Visiting Uganda with Children

Most families looking to visit Uganda like to plan their safari during the northern summer months of July through August, which coincides with the months when schools typically are closed. You could also plan to bring your kids during the Christmas and New Years’ week for a sunny-weather safari getaway when it is cold in North America and Europe.

Winter in the northern hemisphere countries is a warmer summer-like climate in Uganda, and the weather is warm and dry, making it perfect for a family holiday. You could even choose a week on safari combined with a few days on Lake Victoria beach during the last two weeks of December for a memorable vacation. An added advantage of visiting during the dry seasons is that there is a lower count of mosquitoes and other bugs, which means there is a lesser risk of contracting malaria.

In summary, a visit to Uganda’s national parks can be done at any time of the year. However, for any plans to embark on a safari to any of the wilderness areas in this magical country, take note of the dry and wet seasons.

When organizing your safari in Uganda, your chosen Tour Operator can give you a good overview of the kind of weather to expect. However, it’s important to remember that it’s always possible to encounter some unexpected conditions. With no thanks to our global climate change, weather patterns in Uganda and across Africa have become less predictable, and you may experience more rain or sunshine than you expected. Whatever the weather, you can look forward to an unforgettable wilderness experience and a wonderful introduction to the natural wonders of Uganda.