Uganda Weather for Gorilla Trekking, Month by Month

The two dry seasons

The south has two wet seasons, March to May and September to November. That leaves two dry windows. June and July are the driest months in the south, and December through February forms the second dry spell.

January and February tend to be the warmest and driest months of all. Permits are issued throughout the year, so you can trek in any month. The dry seasons simply make the 2 to 7 hour day more comfortable and more predictable.

Why the wet months still sell out

Mgahinga issues about 8 permits per day and Bwindi's four sectors, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo, each have limited daily slots. Low season means fewer trekkers on the trail and cheaper lodge rates, so some travellers deliberately choose the rains. Book permits well ahead whichever month you pick.

Month by month at the gorilla parks

Use the table as a planning tool for a Bwindi or Mgahinga trek rather than as a forecast for the whole country. Rain near Lake Victoria or in the north tells you little about your trail in the southwest highlands.

What the numbers say

Across Uganda, average afternoons reach about 27C/81F and mornings about 16C/61F. Above 1,300m, which includes both gorilla parks, it is colder. Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley average 32C/90F daytime, which is far hotter than anything you will meet on a Bwindi trail.

Cold mornings, warm afternoons

You start at a briefing in the early morning, when it is coldest, and climb from there. Hikes in the region run at altitudes of 2,500m to 4,000m. Expect the temperature to fall as you gain height, and expect damp air in the forest even without rain.

Layer up. Waterproof clothing, long sleeves and sturdy hiking boots are the standard recommendation for the trail, and gloves help on the steep, vegetated sections.

The daily rain pattern

Even in the rainy seasons, rain often comes at night and in the early morning. You will meet wet vegetation, slick slopes and mud rather than hours of downpour. Waterproof boots and a rain jacket handle most of it.

Because a Uganda gorilla trek lasts 2 to 7 hours with 60 minutes with the gorillas, a muddy trail can push a short trek toward the long end of that range. Build slack into your day plan and your return travel rather than booking a tight evening connection after the trek.

Wet season versus dry season on the ground

In June and July the trails are at their firmest and the forest underfoot is easier. In April, the rainfall peak in the south, the same trail can be hard work. The reward in the wet months is quieter trailheads and greener forest, and permits are easier to find at short notice.

South, north and the parks

The south, home to Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kampala, has wet seasons from March to May and September to November. The north has a single wet season running March to November and a dry season from December to February, so a northern park add-on after your trek follows a different calendar. Around Lake Victoria and in western Uganda, rain can fall at almost any time of year.

Treat a dry month as drier, not dry.

Checking the forecast before you fly

For a live picture, AccuWeather carries a Uganda forecast with radar and current conditions for cities including Arua, Gulu and Busia. The UK Met Office lists current conditions for Kampala, Entebbe and Masindi around 28C. Kampala forecasts in recent days showed lows around 68F and highs around 79F with thunderstorms likely, which is typical for the lakeshore and much warmer than the trailhead at Bwindi.

Timing against cost

Rwanda's permit stands at $1,500 per person per day according to Visit Rwanda, and its low season discount gives 30% off from November to May for combined trips that include Akagera and/or Nyungwe. That aligns exactly with Uganda's wetter months, so the same calendar that brings mud can bring savings on a two-country trip. Uganda permit prices are not stated in the sources used here, so ask your operator for the current figure.

If you trek from Kigali rather than Kampala, a Bwindi gorilla trekking from Kigali itinerary puts you at the trailhead faster and keeps more of the day free after the trek.

A sample wet season day

On a 3 day Uganda itinerary, day 2 is the gorilla trek and day 3 is often the Batwa Cultural Experience before the return journey. If the trek morning is wet, the afternoon village visit usually stays dry, because the rain pattern favours clear daytime hours even in the wet seasons. Treks can run anywhere from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day, so keep day 2 free of other commitments.

Booking around the seasons

Mgahinga issues about 8 permits per day, and each of Bwindi's four sectors has a fixed daily allocation. In the peak dry windows those slots go first. If you want to trek in June or July, book months ahead.

In March, April or November you have more flexibility and can often plan a trek closer to your travel dates. Fewer trekkers in the wet season also means quieter trailheads and a less rushed hour with the gorilla family you find.

The core list

Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, waterproof clothing, long sleeves and gloves are the recommended kit for gorilla trekking in the region. Add a warm layer for the cold early morning start at altitude. Gumboots and raincoats can be hired at some park headquarters if your bag space is tight.

Bring a daypack for the 2 to 7 hour trek, water and lunch, since a trek can stretch to most of the day. Keep cameras in a waterproof cover, and note that Uganda Wildlife Authority rules state no flash photography.

Weighing the two

In June and July you get the firmest trails and the most predictable trek length, at the price of peak demand. In the wet seasons you trade mud for empty trailheads and, if you combine Rwanda's parks, a 30% permit discount from November to May on qualifying trips. Since viewing time is one hour in every season and treks run 2 to 7 hours in both, the gorilla experience itself does not change much.

Fit, keen hikers often prefer the value of the wet months. Anyone short on time or nervous about steep, slippery forest does better in June or July.