Best time to visit Uganda, When is it best to visit Uganda? This is one of the frequently asked questions by travelers on Uganda safari. But generally, what might seem to be the best time to you may turn to be the worst time to another person and for anyone with a plan to visit Uganda post COVID-19 crisis, it is essential to understand the ideal time to get to this magical country for a safari holiday.
Getting to know the best time to visit Uganda is one significant factor in planning a successful and lifetime safari holiday experience. However, this may differ from one traveler to another depending on his or her travel interests.
Generally, there is no specific time to visit Uganda the fact that it is open to tourists throughout the year although temperatures fluctuate from season to season. Regardless of this fact, 2 (two) dry seasons are considered to be the best to visit safari parks in Uganda. Therefore, visitors on Uganda safaris can choose to visit the pearl of African either in June, July, August, and September or in December, January, and February.
The two dry spells are perfect for tourists on Uganda gorilla safari to engage in gorilla trekking adventures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or if you are interested in chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge just close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As well, the dry months are ideal for game viewing tours in the savanna parks especially for visitors with a plan to explore and experience Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park or Kidepo Valley National Park.
The advantage of visiting Uganda during the dry months of the year is based on the fact that low or no rainfall is recorded and if in any case, it does, it is a little amount in most parts of the country. Being a dry spell, most trails or routes in most of Uganda safari destinations are kept dry thus making it easier for visitors to navigate through and engage in their wildlife safari experiences smoothly. Game viewing is perfect during this period since the majority of wildlife species confine in waterholes in the parks thus allowing you to sight a variety of animals.
Uganda is also a birder’s paradise with an estimate of about 1080 bird species which can be sighted in different safari parks and other birding spots. Bird watching tours in Uganda are also possible at any time of the year and interestingly, you can incorporate them with other safari activities while on Uganda safaris in any of the 10 magical national parks in this beautiful country.
If it is mountain gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that you are interested in then it is important to consider the dry and wet seasons. The dry months run from June to September and December to February and they are considered to be the best time for gorilla safaris, however, given the nature of gorilla habitat, usually, the weather is the unpredictable meaning you have to expect rains at any time of the day.
Longer rains are experienced starting March, April to May, and short rains occur from October to November. Plenty of rainfall is recorded during this period and also there is a lot for mountain gorillas to feed. Tracking mountain gorillas during the wet or rainy season is also advantageous since these apes can be spotted within the shortest period because there is plenty of forage to keep them busy in nearby areas unlike during the dry season when they move long distances to find what to feed on hence a long day trek.
Mountain gorillas in Uganda are only tracked in the rain-forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, all set in extreme Southwestern side of the country. Understanding the best time to track mountain gorillas has it’s own cons and pros.
Visiting Uganda during the wet or rainy season also known as a low season is very possible. During this period, Uganda receives plenty of rainfall and despite this fact, safari activities in most of the safari parks never come to a halt. Amazingly, the wet/rainy season comes with so many advantages and for tourists on Uganda safari, wildlife viewing is exceptional during this period the fact that you can easily sight them in and around the park. Most of the animals don’t move very far to look for food because there is a lot to enjoy.
Most safari lodges in and around safari parks also provide discount offers to visitors on Uganda safaris during the low season unlike the dry or peak season when they maintain their rates. The low season then becomes a perfect period for budget travelers on Uganda tour to also realize their dreams whether he or she is interested in mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, or wildlife safaris. This is a period when most parks register low visitor arrivals thus allowing you to enjoy your tour with no worries of crowds.
Regardless of the numerous advantages, the wet or rainy come with challenges the fact that it is when plenty of rainfall is recorded, the trails become muddy, slippery making it hard to navigate or engage on primate walks in the jungles. However, the activity still continues because it doesn’t take the whole day raining.
Therefore, whether it is a dry or wet season, you need the right gear to make your holiday memorable and essentially, consider the following a must-pack; the waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, day pack, gardening gloves, rain jacket or poncho, socks, sweater and many more.