Best Time To Visit Uganda

Best Time To Visit Uganda — Weather & Travel Seasons Guide Uganda is one of the Great Safari destinations on the Africa continent and commonly dubbed as The Pearl of Africa, of late the country has been getting significant attention from the leisure travel world.  Uganda dubbed as The Pearl of Africa has numerous treasures which are cannot be found in any other place on earth, some of the most famous attractions Uganda is known for include the endangered Mountain gorillas, big game including the Big Five, small game, birdlife and friendly local people. 

The spectacular wildlife is a chief tourist attraction for Uganda safari trips which happen in the open plains, mountains and forest.  Experience the attractions and wilderness Uganda has to offer, to main concern is about the best time to visit the park for an extraordinary Africa safari experience.  Uganda is located in East Africa region and is part of the economically integrated East African Community (EAC) with includes other remarkable African safari destinations like Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. All these destinations share the same weather patterns, as you move west into the higher altitudes, the weather gets cooler and wet in the mountains.  Through careful consideration of the weather patterns, altitudes of your selected destination and the activities you intend to engage in, you can get the best time for your Uganda Safari Visit. 

Best Time To Go By Weather & Travel Seasons

Uganda staddles the equator meaning a slight annual fluctuation in temperatures, the hottest average temperature rarely exceeds29° Celcius (84° Fahrenheit) in Kampala the capital of Uganda and neighboring areas.   However, as you head towards the northern regions of the country. The hottest day time temperatures average between 24-33° Celsius (52-91° Fahrenheit) with peaks up to 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in the extreme north towards Kidepo National Park and this is usually during January and February.  Uganda experiences tropical climate comprising of two seasons that is the dry season and the wet season.    The Dry Season in Northern Uganda ranges from December through February and Wet Season from March to November, the northern region of Uganda encompasses of Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kidepo Valley National Park and Pian Upe Game Reserve. The Southwestern region of Uganda where almost significant parks are located has two seasons thanks to its positions, being situated between the Rwenzori Mountains, Virunga Massif and the massive Lake Victoria. The first wet season is from Mid – September through to November and the second season is from March to May.  While visiting this region, note that it can rain at any time of the day.  

The Dry Season: June to August & December to February

During the season in Uganda, average temperatures get as low as 16° Celcius (61° Fahrenheit) in the morning and as high as 27° Celcius (81° Fahrenheit) in the afternoon. In the higher altitudes such as Southern Uganda where mountain gorillas are found, it gets very chilly at 1,300 m (4,265 ft). June, July & August June and July are the driest month in the Southwestern region, however expect some occasional rains because the area is mostly covered with rainforests. In the north regions of Uganda, these months form part of the Wet Season, if you are heading to the far north Uganda safari destinations like Pian Upe or Kidepo Valley National Park, the region is semi – arid and can experience droughts during this period.   December, January & February In December, January and February, most of the southwest region in Uganda receives a little more rainfall. In the North region, it is clearly dry with little or no rain.  

Why You Should Visit Uganda in February, Bes time to visit Uganda

Should you travel in the dry season? In general, the best time to visit Uganda for a safari is during the two dry seasons that is December to January and June to August, the dry season is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda as the forest floors are less dump, trails are passable and it is guaranteed that you and your photography and filming equipment will not get dry.  However, note that it can rain at any time of the day in the forests.   Also, the dry season is the best time to visit wildlife savannah parks in Uganda. In this season the skies are clear, less rain and more sunshine. Also, the vegetation cover is less. Since most of the water sources dry up. The remaining watering holes attract a lot of animals which congregate in large numbers to drink water and cool off as well, making wildlife so easier to spot. It is also the best time for a boat safari on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, on Victoria Nile and Murchison Falls National Park.   The Peak Season in Uganda coincides with the two dry seasons of June to September and December to January, in this season Uganda parks gets a little bit congested than other seasons of the year.    The dry season also the best time see mountain gorillas in Uganda and gorilla trekking permits become scare, all travelers planning on doing gorilla trekking during these months should book for their gorilla permits in advance at least 4-12 months earlier to avoid disappointments.   When should you book the gorilla permit? As of 2023, a gorilla permit is USD 700 per person. The gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, there are 20 gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking and 2 for gorilla habituation. There, only 160 gorilla trekking permits and 8 habituation permits are issued per day, this is a small fraction to their demand. 

Wet season: March to May and September to November 

 During the Wet season in Uganda, average temperatures get as low as 16° C (61° F) in the morning and as high as 28° C (82° F) in the afternoon in the higher altitudes in the gorilla parks that is Bwindi and Mgahinga, in the North it gets chilly and warmer.  March, April & May In the Southern region, the wet season period of March to May has more downpour throughout the country and peaks in April. From March to May is the not the best time to visit Uganda because rain can make navigating some trails difficult, but it does not rain throughout the day, some days have warm sunshine as well.   September, October & November These months are commonly referred to as the months of short rains and comparable to March, April and May. But on the average, a bit of less rain is received.   Should you travel in the wet season? Wet season in Uganda is a low season, in this season hotel and lodges charge lower rate partly because of the few travelers. If you do not mind the down pours that is once in a day, this is the best time to travel to Uganda on budget.  During the wet season, Uganda – the pear of Africa is at its most. Generally, the green vegetation illuminates the whole country showing off the most spectacular landscape features. Head to the Southwest of the country, the highlands flash out enchanting emerald vegetation and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains.  This is the best season for photography in Uganda, especially when the sun shines in the afternoons.   During the wet seasons, the vegetation overgrows and animals spread all over the savannah dominated plains, spotting wildlife in the thick vegetation cover is quiet challenging during the wet season. Still, you will see plenty of newborns and witness the thrilling hunt, as hungry predators battle with vigilant mothers in their attempt to snatch away the vulnerable young ones.   Some of the roads leading to the park and routes used are muddy and unpassable, bridges are washed away by heavy rains and cars often get stuck especially in the Southwestern Mountain gorilla parks where roads are not yet paved with tarmac. The rainforest trails become damp, slippery and challenging to hike.   For travelers interested in adventure, November is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda because mountain gorillas do not forage too far from the trailheads, the gorillas can find food easily and prefer to stay in the lower altitudes to avoid the freezing temperatures up.  Note: in November gorilla trekking is easier regardless of the rain.