January fair
Visiting Uganda in January 2026/27
January is a great month to head to Uganda as it sits right in the middle of the short dry season. The result is good trekking conditions for both gorillas in Bwindi and the chimps in Kibale. The dry climate also means good game viewing in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth.
Activities & Events
The main focus for the month is always gorillas but the game viewing, particularly in Murchison and the Kizinga Channel are also great.
Cheat Sheet
- + Hot and clear weather
- + Really good gorilla trekking
- + Easy road accessibility throughout
- – One of the busier times for tourists
Top Tips for January 2026/27
- + You would do well to pre-book permits early
February fair
Visiting Uganda in February 2026/27
February, along with January, is also a great time to head to Uganda with clear and dry weather offering good gorilla and chimp trekking and good game numbers in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth.
Activities & Events
A really good time of the year to travel with gorillas and chimps at their most accessible and fewer numbers of tourists.
Cheat Sheet
- + Clear and dry weather
- + Very good trekking with chimps and gorillas
- – Great birding with European migratories still present
- – What’s not to like?
Top Tips for February 2026/27
- + Be on the look out for multi-stay discounts
March mixed
Visiting Uganda in March 2026/27
March brings the start of the main rains in Uganda and, as such, a drop in both visitor numbers and in lodge prices. The early weeks of the month can still be very rewarding for gorilla and chimp trekking so, if you don’t mind the occasional downpour, it is still a good month to travel.
Activities & Events
Gorilla trekking is still the main “order of the day” with the trails still pretty firm under foot but it is also a great time for birders.
Cheat Sheet
- + Tourist numbers drop significantly in the month
- + Gorilla trekking is still good, if a little wet
- + Property prices drop significantly
- – Strong downpours can marr the wildlife viewing
Top Tips for March 2026/27
- + The first 2 weeks of the month offer great value
April mixed
Visiting Uganda in April 2026/27
The second month into the mains rains brings tougher conditions for trekking in Bwindi and Kibale and, as such, this is seen as one of the least desirable months to visit Uganda. This being said, while the trekking is harder, the gorillas tend to favour the lower slopes more and, as such, can be easier to find.
Activities & Events
Gorilla and chimp trekking can be taxing at this time of the year with muddy trails and impassable roads but it is still worth it!
Cheat Sheet
- + Low season rates and empty parks
- + Gorillas are located in the lower slopes
- – Plenty of water makes some roads impassable
- – Expect strong and long downpours
Top Tips for April 2026/27
- + For the more intrepid, this can be a good option to save
May mixed
Visiting Uganda in May 2026/27
The last of the months affected by the long rains, May is probably one of the hardest months for gorilla and chimp trekking as the pathways are now very muddy and the undergrowth at its thickest. This being said, it is also a good time for discounts and for birding as the migratory birds arrive.
Activities & Events
Gorilla and chimp trekking are at their very hardest at this time of year so we only recommend for the hardiest of adventurers!
Cheat Sheet
- + Excellent birding
- + Stunning scenery
- + Really good rates and low visitor numbers
- – The third month of rain leaves trekking very taxing
Top Tips for May 2026/27
- + Arguably later in the month gives some solace
June great
Visiting Uganda in June 2026/27
With the arrival of June comes an end to the main rainy season and, accordingly, a change in the temperatures and the conditions underfoot. This is a good month to visit Bwindi Impenetrable for gorillas although the chimp trekking in Kibale can still be wet and murky at times.
Activities & Events
Gorilla trekking is coming to the fore once more with low visitor numbers and drying trails allowing for good viewing.
Cheat Sheet
- + Mostly clear, dry weather
- + Parks starting to dry out
- + Low season rates still offer great value
- – Chimp trekking is still pretty tough
Top Tips for June 2026/27
- + A good time to travel for those on a budget
July best
Visiting Uganda in July 2026/27
July is now a second month into the dry season and, as such, offers great trekking for both the gorillas and the chimps as well as better and better game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison. The only real drawback is that it is now the main travel season so camps can get busy.
Activities & Events
Gorilla and chimp trekking are in their prime at this time of the year.
Cheat Sheet
- + Dry and clear weather
- + Really good game, gorillas and chimp trekking
- + Scenery still spectacular
- – It is the busy season so availability can be tricky
Top Tips for July 2026/27
- + Definitely worth booking in advance
August amazing
Visiting Uganda in August 2026/27
August sits right in the heart of the dry season with pathways in the forests at their driest and, as such, easiest, and the game numbers starting to crowd the water sources. This is definitely one of the best times of the year for all activities in Uganda.
Activities & Events
Take your pick…excellent chimp and gorilla trekking, very good game viewing, lovely weather!
Cheat Sheet
- + Dry and clear weather
- + Really good wildlife viewing across the country
- – Visitor numbers are at their highest
- – Accordingly prices do also spike in the month
Top Tips for August 2026/27
- + You will need to book up a good deal in advance
September great
Visiting Uganda in September 2026/27
If y0u asked us which month we would pick in the year, it would always be September! This month still offers great weather, realiable trekking, game viewing and, with lower visitor numbers, better availability.
Activities & Events
One of our favourite months to see gorillas, chimps and all the other safari animals in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth.
Cheat Sheet
- + Predominantly dry weather with the occasional rain shower
- + Really good gorilla and chimp trekking
- + Fewer tourists mean better prices and availability
- – The arrival of the short rains at the end of the month
Top Tips for September 2026/27
- + A really good time to travel
October still good
Visiting Uganda in October 2026/27
October heralds the start of the short rains in Uganda and, as such, you can expect to have some rainfall during your stay. This being said, with firm ground underfoot and the gorillas starting to move to the bottom of the valley in Bwindi, this can be an excellent time to travel.
Activities & Events
Gorilla and chimp trekking are deemed to be easier both for the location of the groups but also for the prices and availability as the tourism numbers fall off.
Cheat Sheet
- + Good trekking conditions for gorillas and chimps
- + Low season rates for most of the camps
- + Arrival of migratory birds once more
- – You can expect some rainfall during your stay
Top Tips for October 2026/27
- + An ideal month for those looking to book last minute
November fair
Visiting Uganda in November 2026/27
November sits right in the middle of the short rains which has its benefits and drawbacks. The main upside is that, while the paths and tails are starting to get muddier, there are far fewer tourists and the gorillas are located at their closest to the entry gates.
Activities & Events
Gorilla and chimp trekking can get pretty tricky at this time of the year due to the muddy conditions but, for those keen on their birds, the arrival of the migratory species becomes a real delight.
Cheat Sheet
- + The country is green and lush
- + Very few visitors make for low rates and high availability
- – Trekking is only really advised for the more adventurous
Top Tips for November 2026/27
- + Another good, low cost time to travel
December fair
Visiting Uganda in December 2026/27
The last month of the short rains sees the rainfalls recede as the month goes on. December is the start of the short dry period in Uganda and, by the end of the month, offers some very good quality game viewing and gorilla trekking.
Activities & Events
As the month goes on, the gorilla and chimp trekking get better and better.
Cheat Sheet
- + The wetter weather gives way to dry weather
- + Trekking conditions improve significantly
- + Birding and game viewing are very good
- – The end of the month is very busy with tourists
Top Tips for December 2026/27
- + Look to book up to a year in advance for the festive period
