Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking

One of the world’s most endangered species, the mountain gorilla, lives in the Virunga hills, which are shared by three countries: Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Virunga National Park), and Uganda (Mgahinga National Park). Furthermore, because of their extreme endangered status, visitors must pay a premium to see or interact with these monkeys. Considering that gorilla permits currently cost USD 1500.00 in Rwanda and USD 800.00 in Uganda, tourists want to plan their trip to maximise their gorilla trekking experience.

Uganda has two rainy seasons and a modified tropical climate because the equator crosses through the nation. For this reason, most people think that going on a gorilla trek is best done during the dry seasons. This is true since heavy rain makes the trails very slick, making it challenging to navigate the thick forest. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is frequently inaccessible because of flooded rivers and slippery roads.

The dry seasons in Uganda, which run from June to August and again from December to February, are the ideal times to see gorillas. In Uganda, you can do gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The choice that is most popular is Bwindi. Uganda experiences very constant temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 24°C to 30°C. The rains are the most significant component to take into account; there are two separate rainy seasons, which run from March to May and September to November.

Dry Season in Uganda

The busiest months are from December to February and from June to August. This time of year, it is most likely to be dry. Trekking will be more enjoyable if the days are clear and bright. Walking through the drier vegetation is easier on steep slopes as they are less slippery. Gorilla permits for the peak months sell out far in advance, so if you want to travel at that time, you need start planning at least a year in advance. There aren’t many places to stay in the park, and the ones that are usually highly sought-after, low-capacity lodges that fill up quickly. Rainfall can occur at any time of year in Uganda due to its tropical environment, even though these months tend to be drier.

Rainy Season in Uganda

March through May and September through November are considered the low seasons. Trekking can be more difficult and uncomfortable in the rainy weather, but it’s getting harder to forecast weather patterns, so you never know! Showers usually involve strong downpours that happen periodically over the day, but when the clouds part, you can still enjoy plenty of sunny moments. While permits are still more difficult to obtain, accommodation costs are usually lower during this slower time of year. Reservations must still be made well in advance.

Finding the park with fewer people and crowds is one benefit of monitoring gorillas during the wet season. This suggests that you will be able to have the jungle to yourself and get up close and personal with the primates. To visit each family, the smaller party of trackers is split apart. There will be roughly three people per gorilla group rather than the eight people that make up each gorilla family during the dry season. A few weeks or days prior to the trip, you can also reserve a tour and gorilla permits. For travellers who want to see gorillas and bird watching at the same time, the rainy season is ideal. The forests are bustling with activity as this is the time of year for breeding. Because most hotels lower their rates to draw in more visitors, travelling during the wet season is typically less expensive than travelling during the dry season. During the busiest time of year, you can stay in one of the greatest luxury lodges, which may seem overpriced.

It is significant to highlight that because mountain gorillas’ travels are unaffected by seasonal variations, they may be tracked throughout the year. While we will talk about the benefits and drawbacks of travelling at specific times of the year, travellers shouldn’t choose too specific a month to go trekking. We’ve found that right after the rainy season ends, when the land is still verdant and productive, is the best time to go gorilla tracking. Accurately predicting the start and end of the rainy and dry seasons is challenging in Africa due to the significant impact of global warming on weather patterns. Ultimately, the decision of when to visit still rests with the tourist.