Uganda is a stunning country known as the “Pearl of Africa” and was the third country visited on our 9-month Cairo to Cape Town trip.
Uganda stands out all on its own, offering unique experiences encountering mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to thrilling safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the stunning nature of Murchison Falls.
With it’s vast wildlife, the country’s cultural richness, welcoming people, and many adventure opportunities, we think that a Uganda holiday makes one pretty amazing trip.
Now that we have persuaded you to visit this fascinating country, let’s check out Uganda weather and find out when is the best time to visit Uganda.
Uganda Weather: Seasons in Uganda
Keep in mind, the best time to visit Uganda depends on various factors such as weather preferences, wildlife viewing, and specific activities you plan to engage in during your trip.
Uganda experiences a tropical climate characterized by relatively stable temperatures throughout the year due to its proximity to the equator.
However, variations in Uganda weather patterns occur across different regions of the country.
Best time to Visit Uganda: Dry Season (June to August and December to February)
Wildlife Viewing: These months are considered the best time to visit Uganda for safaris and wildlife viewing. With drier conditions, animals tend to gather around water sources, making it easier to spot them in national parks like Murchison Falls, and Queen Elizabeth.
Gorilla Trekking: This period is also excellent for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Trails can be less muddy, and the gorillas might be easier to locate.
For gorilla trekking specifically, gorilla permits are limited and need to be booked well in advance regardless of the season.
Best time to Visit Uganda: Shoulder Seasons *months between the peak seasons (March to May and September to November)
Lower Tourist Numbers: These months experience some rainfall, but they also mean fewer tourists, making it a good time for discounted rates and less crowded attractions.
Lush Greenery: The landscape is incredibly lush and green during these periods, which can provide stunning scenery for photography and a unique experience in the national parks.
Bird Watching: Bird watching is fantastic in Uganda throughout the year, but especially during these shoulder seasons when migrant species are present.
Best time to Visit Uganda: Rainy Season (April, May, and November)
Wet Conditions: These months are part of Uganda’s rainy seasons, so expect heavier rainfall and more challenging travel conditions, including muddy and slippery roads.
Discounts and Fewer Visitors: However, this period can offer discounted rates on accommodations and fewer tourists in popular destinations.
We visited Uganda during May and it was WET! There were many floods throughout the country so much so that a main bridge had washed away.
What this meant for us is that we had to take a detour to get back to Uganda’s capital – Kampala, and what should have taken us 4 hours now took 8 hours….keep this in mind!
Now that you know when to go check out the post below for everything else you need to know for your Uganda holiday.
What Packing Essentials do I Need for my Uganda Holiday?
This is the same list we recommend for the majority of our travels:
- Dry bag – for those waterfall/rainforest days
- Multi Travel Adapter – so you are prepared for any plug type!
- Battery Pack – if you have any long road trips or to charge your phone from all the photos taken.
- Light clothing/sun hat – remember it will be hot
- Raincoat/waterproof boots– depending on the season you may be walking through a very wet rainforest in search of Gorillas
- Warm clothing – depending on the season it can get cool at night
- Download apps such as Google Translate, Google Maps, and Booking.com.
- Utilize budget apps such as TravelSpend to keep track of your spending.
- A sense of adventure and a BIG SMILE.
You can find the full list of our travel tips here.
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Enjoy Your Uganda Holiday!
It’s extremely important to consider the specific Uganda activities you want to do and your tolerance for rainy or wet conditions when planning your Uganda Holiday.
Each Uganda season offers unique experiences, so choose based on your preferences for wildlife, weather, and crowds.
We can talk from experience as we did not do many of the activities Uganda has to offer due to the weather. However, this just means that we will be back during the dry season one day!
Why not let us know if you have been to Uganda or plan to go, we would love to hear from you!
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials.
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