Best Time to visit Uganda by Major Parks

• Bwindi Impenetrable NP
• Murchison Falls NP
• Kibale National park
• Queen Elizabeth National park.

The best wildlife viewing months in Uganda are during the Dry seasons from June to August and December to February. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Uganda. The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet, and one can't avoid rain completely. However, after heavy rain, the skies often open up to bright sunshine.

Best Time June to August and December to February (All parks) 

High Season June to September (It's rarely crowded, but you'll need to book your gorilla permits long in advance)

Low Season March, April, May, October, November (Some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down; roads and forest trails can be in poor condition)

Best Weather June-July and January-February (Little rainfall)

Worst Weather March, April and May (Peak of Wet season)

Wildlife & Animals – Uganda

·        Uganda is a unique destination offering a wonderful mix of savannah and forest parks. Gorilla and chimp trekking are highlights, but many smaller primates can be seen as well. Uganda also offers great savannah safaris, and all of the Big Five are present. Lion is quite common in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo national parks, where they can often be found hunting Uganda kob.

Birding in Uganda
Uganda’s remarkable avian diversity (over 1000 species within an area similar in size to Great Britain) can be attributed to its location between the East African savannah, West African rainforests and semi-desert of the north. The country has only two endemics which only occur in the country, but if you only take East Africa into consideration, there are 150 species to be found only in Uganda. Migrant birds are present from November to April.

African Jacana in QENP

  June to August and December to February –Dry Season

• This is the best time for gorilla trekking because these are the drier months
• In the savannah reserves, vegetation is less and animals gather around water sources, making wildlife easier to spot
• Even during the high season (June to September) the parks don't feel crowded
• The skies are clear; there is less rain and more sunshine
• Gorilla permits need to be booked very far in advance

March to May and September to November –Wet Season

• The scenery of the savannah reserves is greener – it's low season, resulting in lower rates
• Although wildlife in the savannah reserves is easier to spot in the Dry season, you'll still see plenty
• There are many newborn animals
• Some of the roads get very bad and cars often get stuck; forest trails can become slippery and challenging
• You won't be able to change your expensive gorilla permit if it pours with rain; departures go as scheduled

3 Days gorilla tracking in Uganda

Weather & Climate – Uganda

Straddling the equator, there is little year-round fluctuation in temperature. The hottest months are January and February when the average daytime range is 24-33°C (52-91°F) with peaks of up to 40°C/104°F in the far north. The south has two Wet seasons: from mid-September to November and March to May, but it can really rain at any time. The north has one continuous Wet season from March to November and a more obvious Dry season from December to February.

Kampala's climate compared to Uganda's parks

In general, the south of Uganda shares the same tropical climate as Kampala. The city has a slightly milder climate due to its location near Lake Victoria. The parks in the south tend to be a bit warmer during the day and cooler at night. The areas at high altitude, including the gorilla parks, get considerably colder. Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley in the north are warmer with daytime temperatures averaging 32°C/90°F.

Dry season – June to August and December to February

Average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. It will be colder at altitudes above 1300m/4265ft, including the gorilla parks.

• June, July & August – June and July are the driest months in the south, but it can still rain. Unlike the south, these months are part of the Wet season in the north. The far north, including Kidepo Valley, is semi-arid and can experience droughts some years.
• December, January & February – Most of the south has less rainfall, but still more when compared to June and July. The north has a clear Dry season with little rain.

Wet season – March to May and September to November

Daytime temperatures average around 28°C/82°F and morning temperatures around 16°C/61°F. It will be colder in the gorilla parks at high altitudes and warmer in the north.

·         March, April & May – There is more rainfall throughout the country during these months, with a clear peak in April in the south. Most days have some sunshine as well. The rain can make travel more difficult.

·         September, October & November – These months are comparable to March, April and May but, on average, there is a bit less rain.