Planning to visit Uganda? Guides or Self Drive Uganda Tour? Uganda enjoys one of the best weather and climatic conditions in the world making it an all-year-round destination. Uganda enjoys a tropical/equatorial kind of climate characterized by pleasant warm weather conditions. However, the best time to visit Uganda for wildlife, primate and adventure holidays is during the peak dry season or dry months.
The peak dry season in Uganda often starts from December, January to February and then June, July, August to September. It is during this period of the year when weather conditions in most Uganda safari destinations are most favorable. The peak dry season is notably the best time to visit Uganda for wildlife/game viewing tours, primate and hiking/mountaineering adventures.
But what you need to know is that the ideal time for Uganda safaris does vary depending on visitor’s specific travel interests and preferences. That is whether you desire to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife tours or mountaineering, understanding your destination’s weather and climatic conditions and wildlife patterns is essential. This can guarantee you a lifetime adventure.
Gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris are best done during peak dry months. This guide is worth looking at to help you determine the best time to visit Uganda for your dream holiday. We have put together different factors to consider that determine the best time to visit Uganda for a safari, visitor preferences, crowds and more.
Factors to consider when choosing the best time to visit Uganda
- Weather
Uganda generally records 2 different seasons; the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season is notably the best and most preferred period for Uganda safaris. It is characterized by warm, sunny days and low rainfall. The dry season is the most preferred period for visitors to enjoy the best of mountain gorilla trekking, game/wildlife tours and any other outdoor activities. A huge concentration of wildlife can be spotted clearly around the waterholes during the peak dry season/months.
The peak dry months however record larger crowds and rates also tend to rise. But with relatively low rainfall, it makes it the best time to enjoy wildlife spotting. During the game viewing tour in the dry season, you also experience fewer disruptions from vegetation as it is less dense.
The rainy season in most of Uganda’s safari destinations falls in March, April, May and October to November. The wet/rainy season is known for its lush and breathtaking landscapes, attracts less crowds and relatively lower rates. But the beauty of it is that even if it does rain, it doesn’t go throughout the day. A low visitor turn up is recorded making it the ideal period for guests who desire less crowds. Overall, this is the ideal period of the year to visit Uganda for birding/bird watching and photography tours.
Things to do/safari activities
Anyone with plans to visit Uganda for a vacation should know that different activities are best done depending on the specific period of the year.
- Mountain gorilla trekking: The peak dry months are the best for tourists to have a successful mountain gorilla trek in Uganda. It is around these months of the year when the trails in the gorilla safari parks become less slippery and the floor isn’t muddy.
- Game/wildlife tours: The dry season comes with the best and most favorable weather conditions for wildlife viewing. A huge concentration of animals is confined around the available water sources making it easier for visitors to enjoy the sight of their dream wildlife. The most important highlight of the wet season is that visitors can also witness newborn species in the destination and enjoy the lush landscape views.
- Bird watching: Over 1080 species of birds all live in Uganda making it a treasured birding destination. The best time to visit Uganda for bird-watching safaris is from November to April –the perfect period to witness migratory species of birds. The resident birds can easily be spotted during the peak dry months.
Crowds and prices per season
Huge crowds and higher rates are often recorded during the peak months that is from June to September and December to February. The parks record high visitor turn up with demand for accommodation and rental cars also rising. In case you plan to travel to explore Uganda’s natural endowment during this period, then consider booking a trip in advance at least 2-6 months or even a year before the actual visit.
Wet/shoulder season is known for fewer visitors and lower rates. Accommodation and gorilla permits are often more available, unlike the peak months. The shoulder months run from March to May, and September to November.
Personal preferences
The best time to visit Uganda also varies depending on visitors’ personal preferences. Some visitors prefer warm, sunny days or green landscapes with occasional rain.
Some travelers also prefer quieter, more intimate experiences or do not mind sharing destinations with other visitors.
The budget also determines when someone opts to visit Uganda. They opt to travel during the months that suit their budget.
Temperatures throughout the seasons in Uganda
Overall, temperatures change depending on the season. Often, temperature rise stands at 24 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Considering this, Uganda is known as an all-year-round destination favoring both savanna game viewing, primate treks and bird watching/birding tours.
What is the hottest month in Uganda?
The hottest months in Uganda fall around January and February. During these months, the average daytime temperature rises from 24 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsius. This is especially in the far North while the South often experiences rain any time, especially around mid-September to November then March to May.
Is December a good time to go to Uganda for a holiday?
Yes, December is a good time to visit Northern and Southern Uganda for wildlife safaris.
Is January a good time to visit Uganda?
January is notably the hottest month of the year in Uganda and is characterized by sunny days with temperatures rising from 24 degrees Celsius to about 32 degrees Celsius. It is an ideal month to travel for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Conclusively, the best time to visit Uganda is during the peak dry season; December to February and June to September. Visit Uganda during this period to enjoy thrilling game viewing, chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking, etc.