Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.
Uganda is a great destination to view wildlife in both forest and savannah. Not to be missed is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, while chimps can easily be spotted in Kibale National Park and several other locations. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks offer wonderful savannah safaris with good wildlife viewing, as does the more remote Kidepo Valley National Park.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Elephant, hippo, buffalo and zebra are plentiful in Uganda. Lion, giraffe and white rhino are more localized but easily seen in the right location. Leopard are less certain. The birding is a real highlight with more than 1,000 species recorded. So is the tracking of primates, in particular gorilla and chimp, but there are many other species worth watching. The antelope known as the Uganda kob is found in most savannah reserves and is a favorite prey of lion.
Weather & Climate
Uganda’s tropical climate is a little different in the north and south of the country. From March to November, the north experiences a rainy and warm Wet season, followed by an almost equally warm Dry season from December to February. The south, on the other hand, has a pair of Dry seasons (December to February, and June to August) broken up by a pair of Wet seasons.
Best Time To Visit
The drier months from June to August and December to February are the best for wildlife watching in Uganda. There’s also plentiful sunshine at this time. In the wetter months, there’s the possibility that rain will cut off roads and wash out your primate trekking adventure.
