The best time to visit Uganda, month by month
6 min read · updated July 2026 · written by the Olthru team in Kampala
Short answer
June to September and December to February are the driest months and the easiest for gorilla trekking and game drives. March to May and November are wet - trails are muddy, but the parks are green, quiet, and 15-30% cheaper. Uganda is a year-round destination; there is no closed season.
Month by month
| Month | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, warm | Trekking, game drives, peak wildlife concentration |
| February | Driest month, hot | Best trail conditions of the year |
| March | Rains begin | Fewer travelers, green landscapes |
| April | Wettest month | Birding, lush scenery, low rates |
| May | Still wet, easing | Value trips, waterfalls at full force |
| June | Dry season starts | Trekking, everything - book early |
| July | Dry, peak season | Game drives, family travel |
| August | Dry, peak season | Trekking, clear crater-lake views |
| September | Dry, quieter than August | Our favourite month overall |
| October | Short rains begin | Shoulder pricing, good birding |
| November | Wet | Migratory birds arrive, lowest rates |
| December | Drying out, festive peak | Trekking, but book months ahead |
Does rain actually ruin a safari?
Rarely. Uganda's rain usually arrives as a heavy afternoon downpour rather than all-day drizzle, and mornings are often clear. What changes is ground condition: forest trails get slippery, and a few park tracks become slow going.
If gorilla trekking is the whole point of your trip and you are nervous about footing, aim for the dry months. If you want green photographs, empty lodges and lower prices, the wet months are underrated.
Season by interest
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking: June-September, December-February
- Big game viewing in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth: December-February, when animals concentrate at water
- Birding, including migrants: November-April
- Photography with dramatic skies: March and November
- Lowest prices: April, May, November
- Avoid if you dislike crowds: late July, August, Christmas and New Year
How far ahead to book
Gorilla permits for June to September and December sell out three to six months ahead, and the best lodges go first. For wet-season travel, six to eight weeks is usually enough.
Frequently asked
- Is there a month when parks close?
- No. Uganda's national parks and gorilla sectors operate year-round.
- How hot does it get?
- Most of the country sits between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius by day. Bwindi and the southwest highlands are noticeably cooler, and can drop to 10 degrees at night.
- When is the wildebeest migration in Uganda?
- There isn't one - that is Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda's wildlife viewing is steady year-round with peaks around the dry months.
Still deciding? Ask us directly.
We will tell you honestly if a cheaper or shorter trip suits you better.