The best time to visit Uganda for most travellers is during the two dry seasons, from December to February and from June to September. Trails in the gorilla forests are firmer, roads are easier and animals gather around water in the savanna parks. But Uganda sits on the Equator, so it is warm all year, and every month has something special to offer.
This guide explains the best time to visit Uganda for gorillas, chimpanzees, game drives, birding and the Nile, with a month-by-month calendar, the new low-season permit prices and the safaris that suit each season. It is written by our team in Kampala, who plan trips in every month of the year.
The Best Time to Visit Uganda at a Glance
| Season | Months | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short dry season | December to February | Sunny, warm days and the driest forest trails of the year | Gorillas, chimps, game drives, festive holidays |
| Long rains | March to May | Heavy afternoon showers, green scenery, fewer visitors | Birding, photography, low-season permit prices |
| Long dry season | June to September | Peak season, cooler mornings, wildlife near water | Game drives, gorilla trekking, first-time safaris |
| Short rains | October to November | Shorter showers, quiet parks, migrant birds arriving | Birding, deals, last-minute permits |
In short, the best time to visit Uganda for easy trekking and big game is the dry season, while the best time to visit Uganda for value and birds is the green season. There is no bad month, only different trade-offs.
Uganda's Climate: Why There Is No Bad Month
Uganda lies across the Equator, mostly on a high plateau between about 1,000 and 1,500 metres above sea level. That altitude keeps it warm rather than hot. Daytime temperatures in Kampala usually sit between about 25°C and 29°C all year, with cooler nights.
The highlands are different. In Bwindi, Mgahinga and around Kabale, mornings are cool and misty and nights can drop close to 10°C, so pack a warm layer whatever month you travel. The far north-east, around Kidepo Valley, is hotter and drier, with one long rainy season instead of two.
Even in the wettest months, rain rarely falls all day. A typical pattern is a bright morning, a heavy shower in the afternoon and a clear evening. That is why the best time to visit Uganda depends more on what you want to do than on the weather alone.
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking
The best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. The forest floor in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga is less muddy, the steep trails are easier to climb and photos are clearer without rain.
Gorillas can be tracked every day of the year, and a permit gives you one hour with a habituated family whatever the weather. The wet months bring real advantages too: fewer trekkers, easier permit availability and, from 2026, cheaper low-season permits. Read our gorilla trekking in Uganda guide, compare the best time to visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking month by month, or see what happens if it rains during gorilla trekking.
Permits sell out first in July, August and December, so book four to six months ahead for those months. Our guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda explains how.
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees live in Kibale Forest all year, and sighting success is high in every season. The best time to visit Uganda for chimp tracking is still the dry season, when forest trails are firm and the chimps often feed lower in fruiting trees. In the rainy months, treks can be shorter but muddier.
Kibale is the top place to track them, with Kyambura Gorge, Budongo and Kalinzu Forest as good alternatives. Learn more about chimpanzees in Uganda or book a Kibale chimp permit.
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Game Drives
For game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo and Kidepo, the best time to visit Uganda is from late June to September and from December to February. Grass is shorter, animals gather at rivers and lakes, and the tracks are dry.
This is the season for lions, elephants, buffalo and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile below Murchison Falls are excellent all year, but at their busiest with wildlife in the dry months. See also the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park.
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Birding
Uganda has recorded more than 1,000 bird species, and the best time to visit Uganda for birding is from November to April, when migrant birds from Europe and northern Africa are present. Many resident birds also breed and wear their brightest colours in the rains of March to May.
The shoebill can be seen all year at Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe and in Murchison Falls, and lower water levels in the dry season can make it easier to find. Plan your trip with our Uganda birding tours or read about the shoebill stork in Uganda.
Low-Season Permit Prices for April, May and November
If you can travel in April, May or November, the low season is now the best time to visit Uganda on a budget. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced discounted permits for these months in 2026 and 2027.
| Permit (foreign non-resident, per person) | Standard price | Low season (April, May, November) |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking | US$800 | US$600 |
| Chimpanzee trekking, Kibale | US$250 (US$300 from 1 January 2027) | US$200 |
Lodges also offer lower green-season rates in these months, so a gorilla safari can cost hundreds of dollars less per person. Read our guides to green season safaris in Uganda, primate permits in Uganda and budget Uganda safaris.
Not sure which month suits you?
Tell us when you can travel and what you most want to see. We will suggest the best time to visit Uganda for your trip, check permit availability and send a free quote within 24 hours.
Uganda Month by Month
Here is the best time to visit Uganda broken down month by month, with what each month is best for.
January
Best for: gorilla and chimp trekking in dry, sunny weather
January is in the middle of the short dry season and, for many travellers, the best time to visit Uganda for primates. Days are sunny and warm, forest trails are firm and the savanna parks are full of wildlife around the water.
It is popular with visitors escaping the northern winter, so book gorilla permits and forest lodges early.
February
Best for: the driest trails and clear game drives
February is one of the driest months in most of Uganda. It is ideal for gorilla trekking, chimp tracking and game drives, and the light is excellent for photography.
For a detailed look at this month, read our guide to Uganda in February.
March
Best for: green landscapes and the start of the birding season
The long rains usually begin in March. Expect warm mornings and heavy afternoon showers, with the countryside turning a deep green.
Parks are quieter, many animals have their young and the birding is excellent, with migrants still present.
April
Best for: the lowest prices of the year
April is usually the wettest month. Some roads become slippery and forest treks can be muddy, so good boots and rain gear are essential.
In return, you get quiet parks, discounted lodge rates and the low-season gorilla permit at US$600, which makes April the best time to visit Uganda for travellers on a tight budget.
May
Best for: quiet parks and lush scenery
The rains ease towards the end of May. The landscape is at its greenest, parks are peaceful and low-season permit prices still apply.
May is a good choice for photographers and for travellers who prefer a more private gorilla encounter.
June
Best for: the start of peak safari season
The long dry season begins in June. Skies clear, grass starts to shorten and wildlife becomes easier to find in the savanna parks.
June is many travellers' favourite month and often the best time to visit Uganda for a first safari, with good weather and slightly fewer crowds than July and August.
July
Best for: gorillas, game drives and everything in between
July is the heart of peak season. Days are dry and comfortable, nights in the highlands are cool and every activity, from gorilla trekking to Nile cruises, is at its best.
This is also the busiest month, so gorilla permits and popular lodges should be booked well ahead.
August
Best for: big game viewing and photography
August is dry across most of the country, and for big game it is often the best time to visit Uganda. Vegetation is low, animals gather at water and game drives in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo are excellent.
Like July, it is a busy month for gorilla permits, so plan early.
September
Best for: good weather with fewer visitors
September is still mostly dry, especially in the first half, with light showers starting later in the month in some areas.
Crowds are smaller than in July and August, so for many guests September is the best time to visit Uganda as a shoulder month for gorillas, chimps and game drives.
October
Best for: last-minute permits and quieter lodges
The short rains usually arrive in October. Showers are shorter than in the long rains and often fall in the afternoon, leaving mornings clear for activities.
Permits and lodge rooms are easier to find, and many lodges offer good rates.
November
Best for: birding and low-season value
November brings short rains, lush scenery and the return of migrant birds. It is one of the best months for birding and a great time to see the country green and quiet.
Low-season gorilla and chimp permit prices apply in November, so it is one of the best times to visit Uganda for value before the festive season.
December
Best for: festive safaris and the Nile at Jinja
The short dry season returns in December, with sunny days and drier trails. It is a wonderful month for gorillas, game drives and adventure on the Nile.
Christmas and New Year are very popular, so book early. See our Christmas safari in Uganda guide, or plan rafting and river cruises with our guide to things to do in Jinja.
What to Pack for Every Season
- All year: a light rain jacket, a warm fleece for highland evenings, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent.
- Gorilla and chimp treks: waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and gardening gloves for gripping vegetation.
- Rainy months: gaiters, a waterproof cover for your daypack and quick-drying clothes.
- Game drives: binoculars, neutral-coloured clothes and a dust-proof bag for your camera.
For visas, health, money and getting around, read our travel to Uganda guide and our advice on whether Uganda is safe for safari.
So, When Is the Best Time to Visit Uganda?
For gorillas, chimps and big game in the easiest conditions, the best time to visit Uganda is June to September or December to February. For lower prices, quiet parks and the best birding, choose the green season, especially April, May or November, when low-season permits apply.
Whatever you decide is the best time to visit Uganda for you, our team will plan the right route, lodges and activities for the season. Visiting Rwanda as well? See the best time to visit Rwanda to see gorillas.
Uganda Safaris for Every Season
These popular safaris run all year, and we adjust each one to the season you travel in.
Plan your Uganda safari for the right season
Send us your travel month and group size. We will check gorilla permit availability, suggest the best route for the season and send a free quote within 24 hours.
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