Best time to visit Uganda – When to travel to Uganda for Safaris

Uganda Safaris are famous on most travelers’ Bucket lists when planning safaris to Africa. Uganda is not only a famous safari destination but a dream destination for many travelers. When planning a safari to Uganda, the question of when to visit is unavoidable since good timing will always guarantee exceptional safari experiences. Here is all you need to know about the Best time to visit Uganda.

The immense beauty of the pearl of Africa is none rivaled in Africa! To experience Uganda safaris to their best, you need to plan to visit during the high season which is also the Best time to visit Uganda. Best time to visit Uganda – The best time to visit Uganda is generally during the two dry seasons which last within the months of June – September and December – February.

During the dry season, many safari activities like Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking among others are easy to do. On top of that, there is less foliage in major safari parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park among others. This makes spotting top wildlife like Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Gorillas among others very easy.

Tree Climbing Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda Safari tours 

However, Uganda is an all-year-round visited destination and Uganda safaris are possible at any time of the year, it just depends on where you want to visit or which activities you would love to do. Uganda has two rainy seasons and these are March–May, and October – November. During these rainy seasons, the rain totals are high and safari activities may become less enjoyable. However, for bird lovers, there is a lot to catch sight of during these rainy seasons.

During the rainy season, some safari parks like Kidepo Valley National Park do not receive much rain and a visit here will reward you with the unmatched beauty of Uganda. Within the month of September, October and November are the best months to visit Kidepo Valley National Park. December -February is also favorable though the area gets so dry and therefore if you are affected by too much heat it’s not advisable to visit during this time of the year.

Different Seasons in Uganda – Best time to visit Uganda

Best time/dry months: June – September and December – February (rains are low)

Rainy season: March-May and October – November

High/peak season: June-September (early booking is recommended)

Best time for wildlife safaris in Uganda – When to visit Uganda for wildlife safaris?

For those yearning to experience Uganda’s wildlife, the dry seasons are the best for safaris in all of the 10 national parks in Uganda. The trails are generally dry during this season and also spotting wildlife is made much easier than during the rainy season.

The foliage is less; wildlife can be spotted even at a far. The dry season is always experienced twice in Uganda, between the months of June – September and December – February. During this time the rains are less and at the same time, photography is clear.

The best parks for wildlife viewing in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda

To experience the famous mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi or Mgahinga, you need to plan your safari during the dry season. Best time to visit Uganda for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is during the dry season months of June –August and December –February which makes it easy to go through the trails.

When trails are drier, gorilla trekking is easy since trails are passable and the park is generally accessible. However, the dry season is actually the peak or high season therefore early booking is recommendable since permits can easily get fully booked as well as accommodation. We will help you check availability and book your gorilla trekking permits for Uganda.

Best time for birding Safaris in Uganda

The best time for bird watching in Uganda is during the months of late May to September when the rains are less. Migrant birds arrive in the country during the rainy seasons and can be guaranteed from November to April. If your interest is resident birds, then your Uganda bird-watching tours can be done at any time of the year.

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