When Is The Best Time To Travel To Uganda For A Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Trekking Vacation?
Located on the equator, Uganda is a lovely country to visit most times of the year. That’s because there isn’t much variation in temperatures year-round. But, like the rest of Africa, it’s important to keep in mind that the country has two dry seasons and two wet seasons. Each of these seasons has its own charm and offers visitors a unique aspect of the natural beauty of the country. Another factor in planning your vacation is the particular tours and safari activities you wish to participate in. To do it all, you’ll want to come more than once to the Pearl of Africa!
As the expert consultant at AfricanMecca Safaris will tell you, the incredible diversity of Uganda’s natural treasures and its people make it impossible to cover in a single one-week safari holiday. You would need at least two weeks to maximize your stays at different wildlife parks, towns, and the urban metropolis in Uganda.
Different Monthly Seasons In Uganda – Dry, Hot, Wet Rainy & Cool
Note On Wet Rainy Season in Uganda: The precipitation in millimeters is less in Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley compared to other parks. This is primarily due to the hot-humid equatorial climate based on its geographical location in Uganda. Expect thunderstorms during the rainy season. There are also seasonal variations in different parks. We recommend you review the best times for each park too.
- Dry Months, Best Time For Uganda: January, February, June and July.
- Dry & Wet Rainy Months, Very Good Time For Uganda: August and December.
- Wet Rainy Months, Good Time For Uganda: March and September are both rainy periods though September is also a peak period with high number of visitors into Uganda. These months are also the start of the lush green season.
- Wet Rainy Season, Least Best Time For Uganda: April, May, October, and November.
- Hot & Cool Months: There is only 1-4 Celsius degrees variation in temperature in between months in Uganda.
- Best Time For Birdwatching Safaris In Uganda: The best time for birding safaris in Uganda is from end of May to September; though, this also varies for each park. The migratory birds arrive in November and leave by April.
Key Takeaways
- The country does not have much variations in year-round temperatures, making it ideal for visiting at most times of the year
- Guests desiring to go mountain gorilla tracking, savannah and riverine wildlife game viewing should opt to visit in the dry seasons
- Birdwatching enthusiasts may want to trip out from November to April when many migratory birds arrive and depart in Uganda
- Families with kids may schedule their tours when the schools are closed for summers from June to August or during the last two weeks of December
- Vacationers advised planning 10-14 days tour to explore most that the country has to offer
