When is the best time to visit Uganda Month by Month?

Best time to visit Uganda- When is the best time to visit Uganda for wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking- when is the best time to go hiking in Uganda? Explore Uganda the Pearl of Africa, a destination with endless opportunities right from bucketfuls of adventures to unique cultural experiences making it a distinct destination for everyone- from nature lovers to cultural enthusiasts.

Uganda is an all-year-round destination thanks to its strategic location astride Equator crossing. All year-round, Uganda enjoys favorable weather and climatic conditions making it possible for tourists on Uganda safaris to undertake game safari in its varied savanna parks, gorilla safaris to see mountain gorillas or chimpanzee tracking tour to interact with chimpanzees in the wild, etc.

The best season of the year to visit Uganda

When you think of visiting Uganda, the 2 seasons to put into consideration are- the dry and wet seasons. The 2 dry seasons experienced annually are the best time to visit Uganda the Pearl of Africa for game viewing in Uganda safari parks. That is between June and September and from December to February- when the National Parks and other tourist sites experience less or no rains.

Navigating through the game tracks during the two drier seasons is easier as they remain relatively drier and even visitors interested in gorilla trekking, smooth treks to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga are enjoyable during this period.

The beauty about Uganda is that it is strategically lying astride the Equator and even during the wet or rainy season, it is possible to go game viewing or primate trek. Yes, it can rain in the course of the day but this will happen for a short time and the primate walk or trek can proceed thereafter.

Rainfall amounts vary depending on the region but on average, most parts of Uganda receive rainfall amount of between 1000 and 2000mm. Temperatures too do vary with a record of an average rise of between 25 and 29 degrees during day then at night a drop in temperatures is recorded at 20 degrees Celsius.

Birding safaris in Uganda are enjoyable during the wetter months of the year- between March and May or October and November. These are also noted to be the best months of the year when there are few visitors and guarantees visitor exploration free of crowds.

This isn’t the case with dry season which is also regarded as the peak season and for primate lovers, you will be required to book your safaris in Uganda early- book a gorilla permit in Uganda in advance or a chimpanzee permit and avoid last minute booking.

Tourist attractions & safari activities in Uganda

Uganda is a rich destination with plenty of tourist attractions and safari activities or experiences. On Uganda safari, the must- see attractions and activities to do including mountain gorillas while on gorilla trekking, chimpanzees on chimpanzee trekking, the charming golden monkeys on golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga, mystical mountains such as the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, beautiful waterfalls including Murchison Falls;

Uganda safaris

Birds- 1080 bird species await you spotting on the Uganda birding tour, the big game (elephants, buffaloes, lions + the tree climbing lions, rhinos, leopards), water bodies including the source of the Nile River, Lake Victoria; lush tropical islands such as the Ssese Islands, etc.

Best places to go for a safari in Uganda

Uganda is a destination with everything for almost everyone. From tropical rain-forest parks to savanna, a visit to Uganda never disappoints. There are 10 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves and several sanctuaries, etc awaiting you to explore and experience what makes Uganda truly the pearl of Africa.

Each of Uganda safari park has something unique to experience and primate lovers, the ideal spots to start your primate treks particularly mountain gorilla trekking include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Chimpanzee tracking/trekking in Uganda is carried out in the key spots such as Kyambura Gorge, Kibale National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

All game viewing or wildlife safaris in the savanna parks are best done in Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park. For climbers or hikers, the best mountaineering spots in Uganda include the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park and Mgahinga N/Park (where Virunga volcanoes such as Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura can be hiked).

What to carry for Uganda safari- The Pearl of Africa

Pack smartly when it comes to Uganda safari and for this case we mean, start with essentials and consider doing it lightly. Avoid carrying bulky stuff and among the essentials to consider on your packing list include waterproof hiking boots, a camera, a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, daypack, gardening gloves, first aid kit, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellents, bottled water, snacks, toiletries, passports, visas and more.