What’s the best time to visit Uganda? This is one of the commonly asked questions by travelers coming to visit Uganda. Could you be among those wondering the best time to visit Uganda? No worries, we have you sorted. The best time to visit Uganda is primarily based on variations in climatic patterns. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa experiences two seasons (wet and dry seasons). Whereas Uganda can be visited all year round and most activities done successfully, Dry season in considered as the best time for visiting Africa’s pearl.
DRY SEASON.
Also known as the peak season, dry season is the favorite and best time for visiting Uganda. This is during the months of June, July, August, December, January and February. During this time, Uganda experiences little or no rains, which makes it the best time for mots travel activities.
For those visiting Uganda mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, dry season is the best time for you. Movements through jungle forests are easier and less difficult during this time unlike in the rainy season.
Also, wildlife spotting in savannah parks of Uganda is best in the dry season. Morning and evening game drives give you chance to see numerous wild animals feeding in open plains. More so, wild animals tend to gather at water points for drinking water in the dry season making it easier for travelers to find them.
Dry season – month by month.
January – February.
January to February is generally a very season with less or no rains. It’s actually the best time for visiting Uganda. During this time, you can do activities in Uganda from game viewing to mountain gorilla trekking and even mountain hiking with no difficulty. Uganda normally receives a very high number of travelers during this time a continuation from December. Bird watching is also well done during this time
June – August.
This is the longest dry season when very little or no rains at all are expected. The season is best for game viewing in savannah parks. The grasses are very short hence no obstructions on your game viewing experiences. This season is also best to see primates, which live in densely forested national parks. Are you visiting to trek mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or golden monkeys, June to August is the best time for you.
However, this season is associated with many visits, which limit the availability of permits (gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys) plus availability in lodges and hotels. It’s generally a busy season and services offered on first come first serve basis.
December.
December is the end of the wet seasons hence the start of a dry season. Some rainfall is expected but minimal. Wildlife viewing is good during this time as well as primate trekking for gorillas, chimpanzees and the like.
WET SEASON (LOW SEASON).
The wet season in Uganda is in the months of March, April, may, October and November. Wet season is considered the nest time for birders. It’s the time when migratory birds are present in Uganda. Also savannah parks of Uganda are so green and lush during the wet season ensuring plenty of pastures.
Animals tend to give birth in the wet season, which give travelers chance to see high numbers of wild animals and young ones.
Wet season – month by month.
March –May
This is the start of the wet season. Rainfall is heavy and frequent. It can rain everyday and some long hours, which disrupt some activities especially game viewing in open savannahs. Also, travels can be difficult during this time when roads are so slippery, wet and muddy and hard to drive through. However, this time is best to see migratory birds.
September to October.
This is the shortest wet season where rain is expected but not so much. Grasses are beginning to grow from a very dry season hence still low making it easy for game viewing.
November.
Rainfall is heavy in November and the vegetation has generally turned green and beautiful. November is a very good time to see migratory birds from North America and Europe.
Conclusively, dry season is considered the best time to visit Uganda. Most activities are best done during the season in June, July, August, December, January and February.
