When to go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda: Seasonal Guide by an Expert
From Experience, the best times to see Gorillas in Uganda are during the dry season Months of June, July, August and September through to October. The alternative best time to see Gorillas in Uganda is during the Months of January and February. Travelers should however note that they can visit Gorilla in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks all year around.
Uganda has two rainy seasons (the short season that starts in October to November and the long rainy season that starts from Mid-March to the end of May). The rainfall ranges from 1000-2000mm every year though of recent it’s hard to predict the dry and wet seasons of the year due to the effects of climate change. Uganda is blessed with clear skies through the year with average temperatures at 21.5 C and 71F which makes her an all year round travel destinations for safari and gorilla trekking lovers hence the best time to visit gorillas in Uganda and actually neighboring Rwanda is all year.
When is the Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?
For Primates and Wildlife Safari lovers, the best time of the year to go gorilla trekking In Uganda is during the Months of June, July, August and September. January and February are the other alternative months you can go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
From experience, many tourists choose to visit Gorillas In Uganda from May to September and from January to February since in these months it’s sunny in most of the safari destinations in the countries. December is one of the busiest months of the year in most national parks and it’s advisable to book the accommodation in time to avoid disappointments.
Peak season & when to book a Uganda Gorilla Tour
In Uganda, peak tourism seasons are June to August and around Christmas and New Year. If you plan to go gorilla trekking in Uganda during the peak season or if you are in a large group, you should book six months or more in advance. The earlier you book the more choice you have on where you trek gorillas in terms of sectors/gates and where you stay. Last-minute bookings may be possible during low season or with smaller groups.
Aside from more choice in permit and accommodation availability, there are some other pros to visiting during rainy season—not least that smaller group sizes allow a more intimate tracking experience.
If you have little time it is in theory possible to see mountain gorillas in Uganda in just one day—if you are staying in Kable or Kisoro towns. However, it is strongly recommended to spend at least two or three days in the region. The altitude and exertion of the climb can be unpleasant when rushed and it is worth spending some time acclimatizing. And besides, there’s so much more to see in Uganda than ‘just’ one hour with the gorillas.
Low season is an opportunity to visit Gorillas In Uganda at less cost since most accommodation are cheap in a bid to encourage many tourists to travel even though it’s a rainy season. Visiting Gorillas in this season also means that you will enjoy the jungle with relatively low crowds.
Permit availability
Permits and accommodation during the peak summer months of June-August sell out a long way in advance. If you’re set on visiting during the peak months you may need to book at least a year in advance.
Other things to do
In addition to Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Safari lovers can take on Game viewing in all the national parks of Uganda and Rwanda which is perfect in the dry season ( from February and March, September and beginning of October ). This is mainly because the wildlife species are concentrated around water bodies within those parks. You may decide to add on your gorilla trekking tour a visit to see the Chimpanzees in Kibale national Park or go to see the big 5 animals in Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park all in Uganda.
On the other hand, you may decide to explore the rest of East Africa by visiting Tanzania, Kenya or Rwanda. July-August is normally peak wildebeest river crossing season in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania when the herd makes its epic (and dangerous) crossings of the Mara River and Zanzibar or Mombasa always provide a perfect opportunity to relax. December on the other hand is the main Mt Kilimanjaro climbing season in neighboring Tanzania.
Bird watching as an activity an also be added on a gorilla trekking tour and is best carried out between November and April when the migrant birds are present in the country but can also be carried out all year round. Tourists are however advised to avoid taking vacations during the heavy rain months of April and May.
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