Best Time to Visit Uganda: Month by Month

Updated 7 November 2026 · By the Mwema Safaris team

Short answer: the best time to visit Uganda is during the two drier seasons, June to September and December to February. Trails in Bwindi and Kibale are firmer and animals gather near water in the savannah parks. Uganda sits on the Equator, so you can trek gorillas and go on safari all year, and the wetter months bring greener scenery, fewer visitors and cheaper low-season permits.

Uganda's seasons at a glance

Month	Season	What to expect
January	Dry	Good trekking conditions and clear game viewing; a popular month.
February	Dry	Dry trails before the rains; good for gorillas and savannah parks.
March	Rains begin	Showers increase; trails get muddier but lodges are quieter.
April	Wet	Wettest stretch for many areas. Low-season permits: gorillas US$600, chimps US$200.
May	Wet	Green and quiet; low-season permits apply. Some roads are slow after rain.
June	Dry	Start of the main dry season; permits and lodges fill fast.
July	Dry	Peak season. Book gorilla permits well ahead.
August	Dry	Peak season; firmer trails and easier game viewing.
September	Dry to showers	Still good; the short rains can begin late in the month.
October	Short rains	Afternoon showers; fewer visitors.
November	Short rains	Low-season permits apply. Lush scenery and good birding.
December	Dry	Festive high season; book early.

Weather varies from year to year and between parks; the highlands around Bwindi and Mgahinga are cooler and wetter than the savannah parks.

Gorilla trekking

You can trek all year. In the dry months the slopes are less slippery; in the wet months expect mud but quieter trails. UWA's low-season permits for April, May and November cost US$600 instead of US$800 (foreign non-resident) and cannot be rescheduled. Read gorilla permit cost 2026–2027.

Game drives

In Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo, the dry seasons thin the grass and draw animals to the rivers, which makes wildlife easier to find.

Birding

Uganda is excellent for birds all year. The wetter months are breeding season for many species and the northern-winter months bring migrant birds. See our birding safaris.

Pick a trip for your dates

3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek (Rushaga) (from $1,864 pp)
7-Day Primates & Wildlife Safari (from $3,969 pp)
10-Day Classic Uganda Safari (from $5,464 pp)
12-Day Uganda Birding Safari (Shoebill to Albertine Rift) (from $6,045 pp)

Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority conservation tariff July 2024–Dec 2026 and circular TDO 93/04 of 26 Feb 2026. Checked 7 November 2026. These are government fees, not Mwema package prices, and can change; we confirm the rate for your dates in writing before you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

June to September and December to February are the driest months, so trails are easier. Gorillas can be trekked all year.

When is the rainy season in Uganda?

Uganda has two rainier periods, roughly March to May and October to November. Rain usually comes in showers rather than all day.

Are low-season gorilla permits worth it?

In April, May and November UWA charges US$600 instead of US$800 for foreign non-residents. Expect more mud and note that low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.

Request A Quote