Best Time to Visit Uganda: A Season-by-Season Guide for Gorillas, Safaris and Mountains

The best time to visit Uganda for most travellers is during the two dry seasons, from June to August and from December to February, when trails in the gorilla forests are firmer, roads are easier and game viewing in the savanna parks is at its most reliable. But Uganda sits on the equator, its weather is shaped as much by altitude as by the calendar, and the wetter months have real advantages too. This guide explains how Uganda's seasons work, what each one means for gorillas, safaris, mountains and waterfalls, and how to choose your dates.

How Uganda's seasons work

Because Uganda lies across the equator, there is no summer and winter in the European sense. Temperatures stay fairly even through the year, typically averaging 25 to 29°C in the lowlands, and what changes is the rain.

Most of southern and central Uganda, which includes Kampala, Entebbe, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo, has two rainy seasons:

Long rains: roughly March to May.

Short rains: roughly September to November.

That leaves two drier windows, January to February and June to August. Kampala's long-term averages show the pattern clearly: around 63 to 69 mm of rain in the driest months, against about 169 mm in April and around 140 to 150 mm in October and November.

The north is different. Places such as Gulu have a single long rainy season from about March to November and a pronounced dry season from December to February, when January can see well under 20 mm of rain. The far north-east, including Karamoja and Kidepo Valley, is semi-arid.

Altitude matters as much as latitude. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ranges from about 1,160 to 2,607 metres above sea level, so mornings in the forest are cool and misty whatever the month, and rain can fall at any time. Pack a waterproof layer whenever you go.

A note on changing weather

Seasons in Uganda are less predictable than they once were. Climate change has made droughts more widespread, particularly in the east and north-east, and has made the length of the rainy seasons more variable. Treat the months in this guide as a pattern rather than a promise, check a forecast a week or two before you travel, and keep a little slack in your itinerary.

June to August: peak season

This is Uganda's busiest period for overseas visitors, and for good reason. Forest trails in Bwindi and Mgahinga are generally drier, making gorilla treks less slippery. In the savanna parks, shorter grass and fewer water sources make animals easier to find around rivers and lakes.

The trade-off is demand. Gorilla permits are limited, and peak-season dates are the first to sell out, so book months ahead. The Ministry of Tourism's 2025 figures show Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth together accounting for close to six in every ten national park visits, so expect more vehicles at popular sightings in these months.

Uganda Martyrs' Day on 3 June draws large pilgrimages to the Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs at Namugongo, near Kampala, which can affect traffic and accommodation around the capital in early June.

December to February: the second dry season

The December to February window combines dry weather across most of the country with the main dry season in the north. That makes it a strong choice for Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls, as well as for combining the north with the south on one trip.

These are also the hottest months, with Kampala averaging daily highs around 29°C in February and northern towns such as Gulu reaching around 32°C. Evenings can still be cool. The Christmas and New Year holidays are busy, so book gorilla permits and popular lodges early for late December.

March to May: the long rains

The long rains bring the heaviest downpours of the year in the south, with April usually the wettest month. Murram roads in remote areas can become difficult, and some forest trails become steep and muddy.

The season has advantages too. The landscape is at its greenest, there are fewer visitors, and it can be easier to find availability for permits and lodges at short notice. If you travel now, allow extra time between parks and choose a 4WD vehicle.

September to November: the short rains

The short rains are usually lighter and less predictable than the long rains. Kampala's averages show September is noticeably drier than October and November, so early in the season can be a reasonable compromise.

This is also a good season for waterfalls. At Sipi Falls on the slopes of Mount Elgon, the wetter months turn the three cascades into roaring torrents, though paths become slippery. See our Sipi Falls destination page for details.

By activity

Gorilla trekking: Possible year-round. June to August and December to February are the most comfortable; the wetter months mean muddier trails but often easier availability. In 2025, the gorilla permit utilisation rate was 60.1 per cent, so outside peak dates there is usually more room.

Savanna safaris (Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo, Lake Mburo): Best in the dry seasons, when wildlife gathers near water and roads are firmer.

Mountains (Rwenzori and Mount Elgon): Aim for the drier months, as high trails become very wet and slippery in the rains.

Birdwatching: Rewarding year-round. Murchison Falls alone has 556 recorded bird species, including shoebills around the Albert Delta.

Culture: Bugisu communities around Mount Elgon hold the Imbalu circumcision ceremony in even-numbered years, according to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which makes the region's festival season a draw in those years.

Planning a visit

Book early for peak months: For June to August and the December holidays, secure gorilla permits and lodges several months ahead.

Pack for rain in any season: A light waterproof jacket, quick-drying layers and sturdy boots are useful year-round, especially in Bwindi and on Mount Elgon.

Allow time on the road: In the rainy seasons, plan shorter driving days and use a 4WD vehicle for remote parks.

Combine regions wisely: December to February suits trips that combine the north, such as Kidepo, with the south.

Paperwork: If you are also visiting Rwanda or Kenya, see our guide to the East Africa Tourist Visa.

Photo: Jingo Faizal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).