Best Time To Visit Uganda
Learn More About Uganda’s Tropical Climate
Travel in Uganda is possible throughout the year, but the dry months are considered the best time to travel to the country. These months are also best for gorilla trekking. Although Uganda’s climate can be generally described as tropical, it still differs in different parts of the country, and the temperatures in the higher regions of Mount Elgon and the Ruwenzori Range can drop well below freezing.
Best Time To Visit
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- Trek through the forests of Bwindi, home to more than half of the world’s population of the highly endangered mountain gorilla
- Make the most of the dry conditions and hike to Mt Elgon
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- This is one of the best times to go chimpanzee tracking in the lush tropical rainforest of Kibale National Park, home to more than 1,000 chimpanzees
- Head to the bird paradise of Semliki before the rains set in and try and spot the 40 Congolese bird species that are only found here!
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- Make a trip to the Semliki Wildlife Reserve, one of the best localities for sightings of the enigmatic, swamp-dwelling shoebill
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- Savor the region’s traditional dance and music during a dinner-theatre performance by the Ndere Troupe at the Ndere Center in the capital city of Kampala
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- Marvel at the majesty of the Nile at Murchison Falls, whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and more!
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- See the volcanoes of Uganda as you climb up the Virungas
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- Head to Uganda’s most popular wildlife reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park for boat safaris and chimpanzee tracking
- Encounter elephants, hippos, antelopes and baboons during your classic game drives at Queen Elizabeth Park
- Witness the lions in Ishasha
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- Trek through the largely flat-terrain of Budongo Forest, characterized by its biodiversity
- Walk through the botanical gardens of Entebbe
- If you want a break from the wildlife, head to Bujagali for a range of adventurous activities
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- Head to the far northeast, to the remote, Kidepo Valley National Park replete with dry-country species
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- Take a break at Lake Albert with a range of relaxing activities
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- Given the unpredictable weather, plan a trip to Bulgao Island and relax on its beautiful beach
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- Explore the beauteous ‘Mountains of the Moon’
- This is the time the migratory birds return to Uganda, so head to Lake Mburo and try and spot the highly secretive African finfoot.
Best Time To Visit Uganda by Season
In most regions of Uganda, you can expect an average of 1,000 to 2,000 millimeters of rainfall, but the rainy season and its duration may vary within the different regions. In general, it can be said that long rains occur from April to June and shorter rainfall can be expected between October and December. During this time it seldom rains all day and brief, strong showers are followed by mostly sunny weather. In the Lake Victoria basin, higher humidity with showers almost all year round can be expected due to the high water evaporation of up to 75-80%. Humidity is significantly lower in the remaining part of the country. The dry season lasts from June to October and from December to March.
While planning your Uganda trip, keep the different seasons in mind.
- Long wet season: April – June
- Short rainy season: October – December
- Drying time: June – October, December – March.
Our travel experts can help you pinpoint the ideal time for your vacation, and also recommend the best places to visit in Uganda to experience the wonderful culture and wildlife of the country.
What to Pack
It is advisable to pack casual and comfortable clothes for your Uganda wildlife safari. Evenings and early mornings can be chilly so warm sweaters are recommended. Flat, comfortable sports or trekking shoes are most suitable for walking should you intend to join any walking safaris. We recommend you bring warm clothes, including a fleece or a light woolen sweater and socks, apart from typical safari gear. During the day it can get quite hot, so don’t forget your sunglasses and a high SPF sunscreen, as well as a sun hat with a small brim. Some specialist trips, i.e. mountain climbing, require extra items of clothing and footwear. Many hotels, lodges and camps have swimming pools so you are advised to bring swimsuits. Due to limited space in the vehicle and in light aircraft, we advise you to keep your luggage to the minimum. We suggest you pack your luggage into a small bag of no more than 15 kgs – the luggage limit for local flights issued by the airlines. Almost all safari lodges and camps provide same-day laundry service.
Popular Trips to Uganda
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Classic Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Mountains and Great Lakes
This Uganda safari tour takes you deep into the heart of the wilderness for fantastic wildlife encounters. Your journey begins in Entebbe, set on the shores of the mighty Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake. In Kibale, heart-stopping moments are guaranteed as you track Uganda’s famed chimpanzees through the dense forest with an experienced…
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Uganda: Gorilla Trekking
This private Uganda gorilla trekking tour promises you a heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping adventure in the misty mountains of this African nation. Your vacation begins in the town of Entebbe, on the shores of the colossal Lake Victoria, which is one of the largest lakes in Africa by area. Explore the peaceful beaches and botanical gardens in…
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Kenya and Uganda Safari Tour: Big Five and Gorilla Trekking
This private Kenya and Uganda safari tour is a great way to discover Africa’s diverse wildlife. The adventure begins at Ol Pejeta Private Game Reserve, one of the largest rhino sanctuaries in East Africa, where you can enjoy game drives and sundowners everyday. Classic Africa awaits you in the iconic golden grasslands of Masai Mara,…
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Best Places To Visit
Travel Guide
To ensure that you make the most of your vacation, get your lowdown on the top tips and essential details in our Uganda travel guide – from visas to currency, health information, languages and culture, and gorilla trekking in the forests.
Things To Do
Get up close to silverback mountain gorillas, marvel at chimpanzee families, watch the threatened 600-pound giant forest hog in its natural habitat, and cruise in Africa’s largest lake – the abundance of fantastic wildlife experiences in Uganda is truly staggering. Plan your perfect vacation with our list of the top things to do in Uganda.
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“The trip was planned perfectly from beginning to the end. We were notified of any changes to the schedule based on delayed flights etc. It is a real advantage to have Enchanting Travels make the arrangements that allowed us to speed through customs and visa checks. Our drivers were always there waiting for our arrival so no time wasted waiting. Just the ease of the logistics that comes with traveling with Enchanting Travels keeps up going back to them when we are planning a trip. The experiences were beyond words. Our game drive guides were exceptional in getting us to where the animals were so we could enjoy seeing cheetah cubs at play while mom watched, lion cubs playing while a group of lioness’s napped in the sun and two male lions did the same. The most incredible sight was watching a group of 6 lioness’s separate a female buffalo and her calf and going on to taking them both down. It was like watching a Nat Geo film but we were there within 30 yards to watch. Our accommodations were top notch, staff everywhere we were were exceptional, and the settings were all different but wonderful. Our trip coordinator was in constant contact just to check in and see if there was anything we needed her to do. The Trip Agent App, our first time using it, was a very nice feature and was so much easier to use rather than pulling out a hard copy of the trip to find the answer to our questions. I wasn’t sure if I would use it or not but became dependent on it. Traveling doesn’t get any better if you travel with Enchanting Travels. We will be back!”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
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“The process with Enchanting was easy and the proposal provided was exactly what we were looking for. I found that Enchanting listened to our desires and then provided options that allowed us to set up our final travel plan.”
August 2023 Rating 5/5
“Our private tour to Uganda and Kenya was well organized. We had exceptional guides and the lodges provided exceptional services.”
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“Our trip using Enchanting Travels changed our life. We definitely will be using them again. We felt spoiled with what they provided.”
June 2023 Rating 5/5
“Our family trip to Kenya was AMAZING – more than we ever dreamed of! Our interests were addressed with personalized experiences and we had a great guide for the safaris! Our favorite parts were seeing the baby lions, elephants, and hyenas up close! I highly recommend Enchanting Travels for upcoming vacations.”
June 2023 Rating 5/5