When to go on safari in Uganda

June is generally considered to be a reasonably good time of year to visit Uganda, with lower rainfall in some key areas.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall has now dropped to around 50mm (2”) through the month.

This rainfall is about as low as it gets in this part of the world, leading to good conditions for gorilla tracking.

Temperatures can get relatively cold at night, dropping to around 7C (45F). Early morning activities can therefore be quite chilly so travellers should bring appropriate clothing.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, but Kidepo Valley continues to experience considerable rain and is really not good.

Visitor traffic tends to be medium in June, but it is always good to book permits as early as possible, to get on the best gorilla families.

excellent conditions in the most areas

July is generally considered to be a very good time of year to visit Uganda, with lower rainfall in some key areas.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall has now dropped to around 38mm (1.5”) through the month.

This rainfall is about as low as it gets in this part of the world, leading to good conditions for gorilla tracking.

Temperatures can get relatively cold at night, dropping to around 7C (45F). Early morning activities can therefore be quite chilly so travellers should bring appropriate clothing.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, but Kidepo Valley continues to experience considerable rain and is really not good.

Visitor traffic tends to be high in July, so it’s best to book well in advance in order to ensure rooms at the best lodges and permits for the best gorilla families.

excellent conditions in the most areas, but more busy

August is generally considered to be a slightly mixed time of year to visit Uganda, stronger in the gorilla areas than for savanna safari.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall is now rising to around 75mm (3”) through the month.

This rainfall is relatively modest and, given that the preceding two months are the driest of the year, the conditions for gorilla tracking should remain reasonable.

Temperatures can get relatively cold at night, dropping to around 7C (45F). Early morning activities can therefore be quite chilly so travellers should bring appropriate clothing.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, which means that the wildlife is likely to start dispersing slightly. Kidepo Valley is in the last month of its rainy season and is really not good.

Visitor traffic tends to be high in August, so it’s best to book well in advance in order to ensure rooms at the best lodges and permits for the best gorilla families.

good for gorillas, not so much for savanna safari

September is generally considered to be a more challenging month to visit Uganda.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall is rising further to around 150mm (6”) through the month.

This rainfall is quite a bit higher than usual and is likely to make gorilla tracking considerably more difficult.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, which means that the wildlife is likely to be dispersed and more difficult to find.

Kidepo Valley is in the first month of its dry season, with better weather but still difficult wildlife viewing.

Visitor traffic tends to be medium to high in September, so it’s probably best to book well in advance in order to ensure rooms at the best lodges and permits for the best gorilla families.

challenging conditions in all areas

October is generally considered to be a more challenging month to visit Uganda.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall is remaining up around 150mm (6”) through the month.

This rainfall is quite a bit higher than usual, potentially with torrential downpours and (even worse) long periods of drizzle. This is likely to make gorilla tracking considerably more difficult.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, which means that the wildlife is likely to be dispersed and more difficult to find.

Kidepo Valley is in the second month of its dry season, with conditions improving fast.

Visitor traffic tends to be only medium in October, but it is always good to book permits as early as possible, to get on the best gorilla families.

challenging conditions in all areas except Kidepo

November is generally considered to be a more challenging month to visit Uganda.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall is remaining up around 150mm (6”) through the month.

This rainfall is quite a bit higher than usual, potentially with torrential downpours and (even worse) long periods of drizzle. This is likely to make gorilla tracking considerably more difficult.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, which means that the wildlife is likely to be dispersed and more difficult to find.

Kidepo Valley is in the third month of its dry season, with conditions now being rather good.

Visitor traffic tends to be low in November, but it is always good to book permits as early as possible, to get on the best gorilla families.

challenging conditions in all areas except Kidepo

December is generally considered to be a reasonable month to visit Uganda.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall is falling slightly to around 100mm (4”) through the month.

This rainfall is around the annual average, but given the preceding wetter months, gorilla tracking is likely to remain slightly more difficult than usual.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, but the reduced rainfall is unlikely to yet have a dramatically positive effect on wildlife movements.

Kidepo Valley is in the fourth month of its dry season, with conditions now very good.

Visitor traffic tends to be low up to around the 20th of December, after which it gets busy, so it’s best to book well in advance in order to ensure rooms at the best lodges and permits for the best gorilla families.

improving conditions in most areas, superb in Kidepo