Uganda Travel Guide Best Time To Visit
Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.
The best time to visit Uganda is from June to August and December to February, which are the Dry seasons. Wildlife viewing is at its peak then. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Uganda. The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet, and you can't avoid rain completely. However, after heavy rain, the skies often open up to bright sunshine.
June to August & December to February Dry Seasons
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These dry months are the best time for gorilla trekking
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In the savannah reserves, there is less vegetation and animals gather around water sources, making wildlife easier to spot
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Even during the high season (June to September), most parks don’t feel crowded
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The skies are clear, with less rain and more sunshine
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Gorilla permits need to be booked very far in advance
March to May & September to November Wet Seasons
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The scenery of the savannah reserves is greener
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It’s low season, which means lower rates
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Although wildlife in the savannah reserves is easier to spot in the Dry season, you’ll still see plenty
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There are many newborn animals
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Some dirt roads get very bad, and cars often get stuck
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Forest trails can become slippery and challenging
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You won’t be able to change your expensive gorilla permit if it pours with rain (departures go ahead as scheduled)
Wildlife Photos
Juvenile tree-climbing lion
© Jane RixYoung male white rhinoceros
© 1001slideTwo white rhinos
© jdross75Juvenile gorilla in Bwindi
© Brina L. BuntFemale gorilla with baby in Bwindi
© Brina L. BuntMale lion in open grassland
© Albert BeukhofLeopard
© David HavelUganda kob standing in the rain
© Ondrej ProsickyRed-throated bee-eater colony
© Gudkov AndreyWarthog kneeling to feed
© SoopySueBuffalo in the Kazinga Channel
© CataloniaAfrican fish eagle
© Ariadne van ZandbergenBuffalo drinking
© Ariadne van ZandbergenYoung male Uganda kob
© Ariadne van ZandbergenHippo pod
© USOElephant herd
© Divesh_MistryBanded mongoose
© Ariadne van ZandbergenHippo in the water
© Martin ProchazkaczUganda kob ram
© Stefan RotterShoebill wading through a marsh
© Tomas DrahosHippo yawning in the water
© Silvia TruesselRothschild's giraffes
© Gudkov AndreyBuffalo with cattle egret
© LingbeekUganda kob
© LingbeekCrocodile on the Nile riverbank
© LingbeekHerd of buffalo
© Ariadne van ZandbergenRothschild's giraffes
© Ariadne van ZandbergenDefassa waterbuck
© Ariadne van ZandbergenGolden monkeys in bamboo forest
© Martin PelanekSilverback gorilla
© Ondrej ProsickySilverback gorilla
© Ivars LambertsGolden monkey
© David HavelMountain gorilla
© Ariadne van ZandbergenMountain gorilla
© Ariadne van ZandbergenBlack-and-white colobus
© Ariadne van ZandbergenAfrican jacana
© Denis DarLeopard
© David HavelPlains zebras
© Carl WinbergElephant walking on the road through the park
© Nely TiezPatas monkey
© Mirko_RosenauChimpanzee hooting
© Jane RixBaby chimpanzee clinging to its mother
© Jane RixChimpanzee sitting in a tree
© Apuuli WorldHippo with baby
© Stephan RaatsChimpanzee feeding in a tree
© Ariadne van ZandbergenTree-climbing lion
© Gunter NuytsMountain gorilla in the forest
© Sergey UradnikovMountain gorilla
© DmitryPOlive baboons
© Martin ProchazkaczL'Hoest's monkey
© Bernard Dupont Best Time To Go by Major Park
Most parks are best visited during the Dry seasons from June to August and December to February.