What is the Best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda? – Hail Tours
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry seasons ranging from June to August, and December to February.
Gorilla trekking adventurous activities in Uganda happen at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is featured with the greatest number of gorillas holding about half of them left in the wild and in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Uganda has two distinct seasons that’s the wet and dry seasons, rain seasons range from March to May and September to November. Temperatures in the country usually range between 24°C and 30°C.
Visiting Uganda Gorillas during the Dry seasons
These are peak travel seasons of June to August and December to February. They are characterized with occasional or nor rainfall at all. During dry seasons, the wild is featured with less dense vegetation offering clear views and ease of trekking through. The trails and steep slopes are relatively dry offering ease of hiking through.
Gorilla permits during these seasons are on a high demand and most of them get sold out in advance therefore a traveler planning to embark on gorilla trekking activities during these months should book at least 6 months in advance to secure the gorilla trekking permit.
They come with limited accommodations which also get booked out in advance therefore caution should be taken when planning to travel during these seasons. Secure your permit, accommodations and a car rental months in advance for the best stress free experience.
Visiting Uganda Gorillas during the wet seasons
These are low peak travel seasons ranging from March to May and September to November featured with heavy down pours for a couple of hours but the sun comes out when the sky clears. Gorilla trekking during these seasons comes with a lot of challenges. They come with more dense vegetation, flooded,muddy and slippery trails making hiking through very difficult.
Trekkers planning for the best time to go gorilla trekking to travel during these seasons should take caution when packing their travel bags.
For example Waterproofed trekking gear is recommended such as waterproof hiking books,rain jacket, day-pack,among others and trekking poles are need as well for body balance and stability while hiking through slippery steep slopes.
However, rainy seasons come with numerous benefits such as low traffic at iconic destinations that’s gorilla trekking destinations, assured availability of gorilla permits, potential discounts on accommodation and car rental facilities and offer the best wildlife photography as the landscapes and habitats are covered in a lush green offering stunning backdrops.
When is the best time to visit Uganda | Month By Month Guide For Travelling To Uganda
The best to visit Uganda will majorly depend on the travelers interests and the purpose of his/her journey.
Travelling to Uganda is a wonderful experience all year round but understanding offers that come with each month helps you plan your Uganda safari with much accuracy depending on what you what to do in the country.
Let us take you through a month-by-month guide for traveling to Uganda, highlighting the weather and best activities for a rewarding experience;
Visiting Uganda From January & February
January is a dry and very hot month with average day time temperatures ranging from 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F) and relatively cooler temperatures at night.
It is a good month for out door adventurous activities most especially for primate tracking inclusive of gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats.
Animals are always very activities with in their natural habitats going on with their daily activities making it the best time of catching glimpse o f them. It is also an excellent time for birders watching birds fly around the vibrant vegetation.
In February, the dry season continues though slightly warmer this time. It is an ideal month for hiking, exploring different mountains such a the famous Rwenzori Mountain. It is also an excellent month for wildlife views in different national parks of Uganda like Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks.
A fine month for bird watch and embarking on gorilla trekking adventurous activities.
Exploring Uganda from March to April
March is the beginning of a wet season.it is characterized with occasional showers and a conducive climate, a good time to watch migratory birds.
Gorilla trekking is still very possible and fun during this month though the trails might be a bit muddy and slippery.
March comes with fewer tourists, therefore, popular tourist destinations like national parks are less crowded making it an excellent time for travelers who are yearning for an intimate wildlife experience that comes with less traffic.
April seems to be the wettest of them all with heavy down pours, raining for a couple of hours. Most remote roads become inaccessible as they get flooded, Muddy and slipperly.
We recommend exploring remote destinations traveling these seasons with a 4×4 wheel drive as it is known for conquering and maneuvering through all kinds of terrains.
This is a very good time for wildlife photography the parks get covered in a lush green offering an excellent backdrop.
It is also a good time of taking advantage of the potential discounts offered on permits, accommodation, travel agents and tour operators as a result low traffic.
Visiting Uganda in May and June
In May, Rainy season continues. It is characterized with frequent rainfalls though not very heavy as those of April. It comes with very few tourists making it a good time for an intimate wildlife experience most especially in the popular wildlife destinations. It is as well a good time to explore Lake Bunyonyi and catch glimpse of its serene beauty.
June marks the beginning of of the peak travel seasons. It is the best month for Uganda safaris whatever your destination. To have a gorilla trek in June, a traveler must have booked months in advance.
June is a good month for outdoor adventurous activities. It is a right time to embark on primate tracking specifically mountain gorillas and chimpanzees as the trails are way much dried up making navigating through very easy and fast compared to rainy seasons.
It is also a good time for game drives in different national parks of Uganda. Different animal species are easily spotted grazing on the savanna plains.
Visiting Uganda in July and August
July is a dry month, featured with a warm climate. It is one of the best month for Uganda wildlife safaris, a peak season for gorilla trekking as the trails are much accessible with ease and their habitats are vibrant covered in a lush green offering the best back drop for photography.
Wild animals are easily spotted around water sources making it a perfect to explore Uganda national parks.
In August, dry seasons continue featured with warm temperatures. This is an ideal month of enjoying water adventurous such as whitewater-rafting on the Nile, exploring different falls like the Murchison falls and the sipi falls and also offers great wildlife views making ita good time of exploring different national parks.
Exploring Uganda in September and October
September is the beginning of another rainy season characterized with occasional rainfall but still good for wildlife views most especially near water bodies. it is also a great time for cultural experiences, visiting different local communities offering deep insights into Uganda cultural communities.
September comes with fewer crowds compared to July and august making it a perfect time to take advantage of potential discounts offered on park entry fees, permits, accommodations and travel agencies.
October marks the beginning of frequent but short rainfalls. During this month, gorilla trekking is still very possible though the trails maybe muddy and slippery. It is the best time of watching migratory birds arriving in different habitats. National parks are often covered in lush, green landscapes and still open for wildlife views.
Visiting Uganda in November and December
November is characterized with heavy rainfall though for a short period of period. Roads and trails most especially in the remote areas tend to be very very challenging to navigate through demanding the best 4×4 wheel drive.
November comes with less traffic most especially in popular tourist destinations offering a more private, intimate experience. It is also featured with vibrant scenery in game reserves making it the best time for wildlife photography.
December marks the end of the short rainy season making it one of the best time to explore all what is withhold within the country’s boundaries.
It is a good time for wildlife safaris and a popular time for gorilla trekking adventurous activities. The festive seasons that come with December bring out a great deal of cultural celebrations and events around the country making it a good time of catching glimpse and having deep insights into different cultures of Uganda.
