Best Time to Do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
The best time to do gorilla trekking in Uganda is from June to August, and again from December to February. These are driest months in Uganda and since it is a dry season, it makes gorilla trekking much easier. Although rain showers are possible at any time of year due to the equatorial climate.
Going on a gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most exciting wildlife experience to do once-in-a lifetime. In this blog we shade light on the best time to visit Uganda to do gorilla trekking as well as a guide to each month.
When is the best time to do gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The best to visit 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, trekking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest during the rainy season can be slightly more challenging. Gorilla trekking involves 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.
Month By Month Guide to the Best Time to Do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
January – Best for cooling off in the misty mountains
January is the hottest month of the year in Uganda, with sunny days and temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 32ºC. This makes it a great time to escape the heat and head to the high altitudes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for hiking and trekking with wildlife in the cooler conditions.
January is in the middle of Uganda’s shorter dry season, and while rain is still possible in the forest, you are unlikely to experience regular downpours.
February – Best for the driest trekking conditions and spotting wildlife
February is one of the top months to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking, it is a prime month for this incredible experience and one of the driest months of the year. Ordinarily hiking in the dense emerald forests can be wet, muddy, humid and occasionally uncomfortable, but the dry days of February make for optimal trekking. Plus, with reduced rainfall and decreased vegetation, spotting game is easier.
In this month, expect clear skies, sunshine and average temperatures of 29ºC in Kampala and 25ºC in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
March – Best for lush green landscapes and bird watching
March marks the beginning of Uganda’s long rainy season which lasts from March to May. During this time, long heavy showers are to be expected every afternoon and evening, but as long as you have proper gear, a rainy season visit can be very rewarding.
Although heavy rains can impact the roads, the vegetation will be lush, and flowers will bloom across the country.
Bird enthusiast can rejoice in March as the heavier rains prompt avian migration, so keep your binoculars handy. Queen Elizabeth National Park is an excellent place to spot a few of Uganda’s 1000 unique and colorful bird species, and the area will be noticeably quieter and crowd-free during the off-season. Migratory birds take flight in April and return to Uganda by early to mid- November.
April – Best for quieter parks and good deals on low-season accommodation
April is the wettest month to visit Uganda to do gorilla trekking, but savvy travelers will see it as an opportunity to capitalize on affordable accommodation and crowd-free national parks.
For visitors interested in adventure, gorilla permits to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will be easier to acquire this month with fewer other travelers to compete with. Although the trek will come with some weather-related challenges (proper rain gear is a necessity), the rainy days typically have gorillas congregating in the warmth of the lower altitudes, so while the routes are bound to be muddy, getting to the gorillas will take much less time.
May – Best for fewer crowds and more intimate wildlife encounters
May marks the end of the long rainy season, so days will be warm and wet, with the showers tapering off toward the end of the month. Heavy downpours will be frequent in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but the gorillas will still be visible at lower altitudes before they head back up into the cooler mountains in June.
Accommodation is readily available in May, and prices are usually significantly lower than during peak season months.
June – Best for peak season excitement
The rains ease up in June, leaving the landscape gorgeously green with blue skies and warm temperatures averaging around 27ºC. Toward the end of the month, vegetation starts to thin, increasing your chances of spotting four of the Big Game animals throughout Uganda’s national parks.
Since June is the first month of Uganda’s Peak Season, lodges and activities will be open and the area will be buzzing with excitement. It is recommended to book accommodation early and secure your gorilla permit as soon as possible, though since they tend to sell out quickly.
July – Best for ideal weather conditions for doing it all
July is a peak season in Uganda and with good reason, day time temperature sit at a pleasant 25ºC, occasionally dropping to 13ºC in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The dry climate and comfortable conditions open the door for a myriad of outdoor activities, from gorilla trekking to safaris to boat cruises on the Nile.
Game drives in Uganda’s National Park deliver top-notch sightings as wildlife congregate around watering holes and are easy to spot. By July, gorillas have made the climb back up into the misty mountains, but the lack of rainfall makes the longer treks much more manageable.
August & September – Best for combining leopard sightings and wildlife with gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Uganda’s landscape is sparse in August and September, the driest month of the year. But while vegetation is at its lowest, visibility is at an all-time high. August is a prime month for gorilla trekking, game viewing as elephants, lions, zebras, and buffalo – a photographer’s dream. With unobstructed paths, you may even get the chance to spot one of the most hard-to-find members of the animal kingdom.
October – Best for last-time travel deals
October marks the starts of Uganda’s short rainy season. Although the rains aren’t as heavy as the “long” ones from March through May, they are more frequent, and you should be prepared for the occasional heavy shower throughout the day and muddy conditions.
Because of the unpredictability of the rains, October isn’t a very popular month to travel to Uganda, making it a great time to score a last-minute gorilla permit if you are an undecided travel.
Discounted rates are offered on accommodations in this months. Don’t let the rains scare you off, though, it typically only rains for a few hours a day, and you will still have perfect pockets of sunshine and blue sky.
November – Best for shoulder season quietness
November is a shoulder season in Uganda, and you are likely to get a mix of both rainy and dry days. It is a good time to catch sight of the migratory birds returning, and photographers will be treated to dramatic skies and landscapes as late afternoon thunderstorms roll through the emerald – green countryside.
Temperatures can vary, with some days reach 28ºC and others dipping to 18ºC, though less than half of the days in November are rainy. November is the last month to take advantage of off- season prices on accommodation and tours before the second peak season arrives.
December – Best for adventure activities in Jinja and relaxing by the Nile
December brings another dry season, and weather becomes more predictable as rainfall tapers off. This makes it a great month to soak up the sunny days in Jinja. Sitting on the shores of Lake Victoria, the town of Jinja is home the source of the Nile River.
