Uganda (The Pearl of Africa)
Rwanda (The Lonely Planet) 
Kenya (The Coastline on the Indian Ocean)

A visit to Rwanda and Kenya is all year round but there are those months that are more suitable for your successful trip to Africa. these seasons favors you and gives you chance to explore the African attractions and natures in their natural habitat. You may even think of extending your personal trip beyond the days scheduled due the favorable months, weather and climate that you chose to come in  Africa especially Rwanda and Kenya.

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.

  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. .

Best Time to Visit – Rwanda

(By major parks)

• Akagera National park
• Volcanoes National park

The best wildlife-viewing months in Rwanda are during the Dry season, from June to September. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Rwanda. The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet and one can’t avoid rain completely. Walking in the forest is easier in the Dry season and that is also the recommended time for most primate walks, including gorilla trekking.

Best Time June to September (Except for chimp trekking in Nyungwe Forest)

High Season June to September (Lodges might be full and gorilla permits must be booked long in advance)

Low Season March, April, October, November (These are the peaks of the rains)

Best Weather June to August (Least rain)

Worst Weather March and April (Most rain, forest trails are slippery)

June to September –Dry Season

• Best time for gorilla trekking
• Forest trails are less slippery
• In Akagera NP, vegetation is less thick and animals gather around water sources, making wildlife easier to spot
• Even during high season the parks don’t feel crowded
• There is more sunshine
• Gorilla permits need to be booked a long way in advance
• Chimp trekking is better in the Wet season

October to May –Wet Season

• Savannah scenery is greener
• Possible low-season discounts
• Best season for chimp trekking
• Newborn animals in Akagera NP
• Forest trails become slippery and challenging
• Gorilla trekking departures leave as scheduled, even in heavy rain

Wildlife & Animals in Rwanda

Most people come to Rwanda for gorilla trekking, but many smaller primates can be seen as well, including habituated golden monkeys. Other species to look out for arl’Hoest’s monkey, red- tailed monkey and Rwenzori colobus. Rwanda has one savannah reserve where most safari animals can be seen.

Wildlife Highlights

While gorillas can be tracked in the Virunga Mountains, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest is another highlight. Akagera National Park is a Big Five destination; elephant and buffalo are common, but lion are rhino sightings are a bit more hit-and-miss. Although leopard is very shy, you might be lucky to spot one early morning or late afternoon. There is no cheetah in the country.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Gorilla trekking is available throughout the year and sightings are pretty much guaranteed. Chimpanzee trekking is a bit more difficult – the best time is from October to February, part of the Wet season. The Dry Season, from June to September, is best for general wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park. The wettest months, from March to May, are best avoided.

Birds in Rwanda

Rwanda is a great birding destination with nearly 700 species recorded within an area smaller than Belgium. Rwanda doesn’t have any endemics, occurring in the country only, but it does have several near-endemics which can be found in Rwanda and its neighboring countries. Of specific interest are the 27 Albertine Rift endemics which can be found in the high-altitude rainforest area in and around Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Weather & Climate

Straddling the equator, there is little year-round fluctuation in temperature and no real winter or summer. There is a defined Dry season from June to September, but in Volcanoes NP and Nyungwe Forest that only means that it will rain less as these parks are wet throughout the year.

Kigali’s Climate Compared to Rwanda’s Parks

RwandaKigaliKigali

In general, the east of Rwanda, including Akagera NP, shares the warm climate of Kigali. However, it never gets extremely hot due to the relatively high altitude. The parks in the western mountainous area, including Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park, are a lot colder with daytime temperatures around 16°C–21°C (61°F–70°F), due to the even higher altitude. The temperature drops by about 6.5°C for every 1,000m you climb (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft). The latter two parks are also a lot wetter due to the mountain peaks and rainforest habitat. The new Gishwati–Mukura NP also shares a similar climate to the larger western parks.

Dry Season –June to September

There is little rainfall during these months in most of the country but it can rain at any time in the rainforest.

• June, July & August – In the east of the country, afternoon temperatures are usually around 27°C/81°F. In the mountain parks it is a lot colder. Nyungwe has daytime temperatures of around 21°C/70°F, and Volcanoes NP is even colder with temperatures around 16°C/61°F.
• September – Early September is still dry, but sometime this month the rains may begin. Temperatures remain the same. The mountain parks will receive quite a bit of rain in September.

Wet Season –October to May

The Wet season is characterized by two periods of rain, the short rains and the long rains, interrupted by a drier spell.

October, November & December – ‘Short rains’ - Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park tend to be very wet throughout the rainy season. Daytime temperatures in Nyungwe are about 20°C/68°F and in Volcanoes National Park it drops to 16°C/61°F. The rains won’t likely interfere with your safari in Akagera National Park. 

January & February – There tends to be a drier spell between the short and long rains. The exact timing is unpredictable. In Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park it will still be very wet and it can rain anytime. 

March, April & May – ‘Long rains’: these are the wettest months. It tends to rain most days, although seldom for the whole day in the drier east part of the country. In Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park, it can rain for days.

Best Time to Visit Kenya

(By Major Parks)

•  Amboseli National Park
•  Buffalo Springs National Reserve
• Masai Mara National Reserve 
•  Lake Nakuru National Park 
•  Sambura National Reserve
• Tsavo East National Park
• Tsavo West National Park

The best time to visit Kenya is during the Dry season from late June to October (these are the best wildlife viewing months). The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in August and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks. See below to learn when to visit which park.

Best Time June to October, January to February (All parks)

High Season July to November, January and February (Some of the parks get very crowded especially the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru)

Low Season March to May (Some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

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

 

June to October –Dry Season

• Wildlife is easier to spot because the bush is thin and animals gather around water
• It's unlikely to rain, the days are sunny with clear skies
• There are fewer mosquitoes
• July to October are the best months to see the wildebeest migration
• It gets very busy and crowded in the most popular parks

November to May –Wet Season

• The scenery is beautiful and green
• Rates drop because it's the low season
• Newborn animals can be seen
• Migratory birds are present from September to April
• Except for March to May, rains are usually just short showers in the afternoon
• During March to May the rains can be continuous – some lodges and camps close down during part of the Wet season

Wildlife & Animals - Kenya

Kenya offers excellent wildlife viewing. All of the Big Five are regularly seen on a standard safari. The Masai Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see big cats, and white rhino is easily seen at Lake Nakuru. The Rift Valley lakes, especially Lake Bogoria, attract thousands of flamingos, which feed in the shallow waters.

Wildebeest Migration

The wildebeest migration is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles. At least two million ungulates – mainly wildebeest, but also zebra and gazelle move throughout the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. The crossing of the Mara River is the absolute highlight of the migration.

Wildlife Highlights

Samburu and Meru in the north are home to some interesting localized dry-country species. The odd-looking gerenuk is often seen standing on its hind legs feeding on dry bushes. The and Grevy’s zebra reticulated giraffe are beautiful variants to the more common species found throughout the region. Tsavo is home to the rare fringe-eared oryx.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Kenya offers quality wildlife viewing throughout the year, but the ultimate time is in the Dry season from June to October. This corresponds with the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara. The exact timing depends on rainfall, but it’s typically in August-September when the wildebeest migration reaches the northern Serengeti, and they begin to cross into the Masai Mara. In October they make their move back into Tanzania. These months are high season for tourism. The parks are much quieter in the low season, and prices are more competitive as well.

Birds in Kenya

With over 1,100 recorded species, Kenya is one of Africa’s best birding destinations. In Africa, this number of species is only exceeded by the much larger and inaccessible Democratic Republic of Congo. A fair number of endemic and near-endemic species can easily be seen on any birding trip. These birds are especially sought-after as they only occur within the country or marginally beyond. The European migrants are present from September to April.

Weather & Climate

Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. Kenya is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a Dry and Wet season.

Nakuru’s climate compared to Kenya’s parks

Kenya Nakuru Nakuru

Nakuru town lies right next to Nakuru NP in the Rift Valley, one of Kenya’s most popular parks. Many of Kenya’s parks have a climate comparable to this, including the Masai Mara. Amboseli, Meru, Samburu and Tsavo are at a lower altitude and, therefore, warmer. The Aberdares and Laikipia Plateau are in the highlands, and a bit colder. The highlands receive a great deal of rain and are very cold in the evening and morning.

Dry season –June to October

During the Dry season daytime temperatures are usually around 23°C/73°F at higher altitudes, such as the Masai Mara, and 28°C/82°F at lower altitudes, such as the coastal areas. The sky is clear and days are sunny.

June, July, August, September & October – These are the coldest months. Early morning temperatures at higher altitude are typically 10°C/50°F. It is advisable to pack warm clothing, as morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold. There is very little rain in most of the country.

Wet season –November to May

During the Wet season daytime temperatures are between 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F at higher altitudes. At lower altitudes daytime temperatures are more consistent and hover around 30°C/86°F. Mornings stay cool at higher altitudes, and it is advisable to pack warm clothes for early morning game drives.

November & December – 'Short rains': A period of unpredictable, short rains between November and December that lasts about a month. The rain is sometimes heavy, but mostly falls in the late afternoon or evening, and will seldom have a negative impact on your safari.

January & Februay – During these months, a dry spell in the rainy season occurs with less rainfall. How long the spell lasts and when it takes place exactly is unpredictable.

March, April & May – 'Long rains': These months get the most rain. It’s very cloudy, especially in the highlands, including Aberdare NP and Laikipia Plateau. Humidity is higher and will be particularly noticeable in the coastal regions.

Weather & Climate

Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. Kenya is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a Dry and Wet season.

Nakuru’s climate compared to Kenya’s parks

Kenya Nakuru Nakuru 

Nakuru town lies right next to Nakuru NP in the Rift Valley, one of Kenya’s most popular parks. Many of Kenya’s parks have a climate comparable to this, including the Masai Mara. Amboseli, Meru, Samburu and Tsavo are at a lower altitude and, therefore, warmer. The Aberdares and Laikipia Plateau are in the highlands, and a bit colder. The highlands receive a great deal of rain and are very cold in the evening and morning.

Dry season –June to October

During the Dry season daytime temperatures are usually around 23°C/73°F at higher altitudes, such as the Masai Mara, and 28°C/82°F at lower altitudes, such as the coastal areas. The sky is clear and days are sunny.

June, July, August, September & October – These are the coldest months. Early morning temperatures at higher altitude are typically 10°C/50°F. It is advisable to pack warm clothing, as morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold. There is very little rain in most of the country.

Wet season –November to May

During the Wet season daytime temperatures are between 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F at higher altitudes. At lower altitudes daytime temperatures are more consistent and hover around 30°C/86°F. Mornings stay cool at higher altitudes, and it is advisable to pack warm clothes for early morning game drives.

November & December – 'Short rains': A period of unpredictable, short rains between November and December that lasts about a month. The rain is sometimes heavy, but mostly falls in the late afternoon or evening, and will seldom have a negative impact on your safari.

January & Februay – During these months, a dry spell in the rainy season occurs with less rainfall. How long the spell lasts and when it takes place exactly is unpredictable.

March, April & May – 'Long rains': These months get the most rain. It’s very cloudy, especially in the highlands, including Aberdare NP and Laikipia Plateau. Humidity is higher and will be particularly noticeable in the coastal regions.