Best time to visit Uganda details what to expect each month of the year during travel in the different destinations of Uganda. The different destinations around Uganda each have varied features and provide unique Uganda safari experiences throughout the year.
Any month of the year can be a selected time of travel for tours in Uganda. However different factors also impact on the decision of when is the best time to visit Uganda.
There are peak seasons of travel as well as low seasons of travel in Uganda. Uganda also experiences the dry season and the rainy season during the year.
Dry season
The dry season is considered the best time to visit Uganda and it takes place around June, July, August, September and October which are also peak or high season.
Uganda has 2 dry season and apart from June to October another dry season is experienced in January and December. Around January and February the dry season is short and rain can also be received on some days.
June marks the beginning of the dry season as well as the peak season for tourists coming to Uganda. Around July, August, September and October tourists enjoy the best climate and safari experiences as they explore different destinations in Uganda.
After the rains in November, another dry season is experienced in Uganda in the month of December which is also known for holidays and many travelers move with their families to different destinations for vacations.
The peak season in Uganda is a time when many tourists visit destinations around the country due to the favorable weather conditions. Wildlife viewing, hiking, chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking among other activities are also best done during the dry season.
During the dry season wildlife safaris to destinations such as Murchison falls national park, Kidepo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park park, Lake Mburo national park among others are very popular since the wildlife species gather around water points to drink. The vegetation is also thinner during the dry season making the animals easier to see in the wild.
During the dry season which is also a high season, hotels and lodges also charge highly due to the big numbers of tourists visiting destinations around Uganda. It is also easier to camp during the dry season as an alternative for accommodation during a safari in Uganda.
The type of clothes recommended for the dry season in Uganda during safaris is light clothing. Warm clothes are recommended also for the dry season especially in the evening when it can get cold.
Depending on the activities to do during a safari in Uganda in the dry season, some of the items you will need to pack include long trousers and long-sleeved shirts, comfortable walking shoes, socks, boots for those who intend to hike, hats, sunscreen, mosquito repellant among other items.
Rainy season
The rainy season is also a good time for visiting Uganda despite the rains. Wildlife species can also be seen and activities such as birding are best done around November to April. Migratory birds in Uganda can be seen during this time of the year.
Tourists travelling on a budget also consider the rainy season as the best time to visit Uganda. This is because prices in the rainy season are usually discounted.
Rainy season is also known for being a low season due to the few numbers of tourists visiting the country. Budget travel in Uganda is also best done during the low season. The rains begin around March which marks the start of a long rainy season.
The month of April is considered to be the longest rainy month of the year and is avoided by many tourists. The vegetation is thicker and the trails and roads muddy and slippery.
The month of November follows right after the dry season of October where some rains are received. In November the plains start receiving rain and the greenery starts to grow. Wildlife viewing is still possible as the grasses are still short and in the process of growing back.
For some tourists engaging in gorilla trekking in Uganda during the rainy season, it is also to their advantage since the gorillas are easier to find as they move to the lower slopes of the mountains where there is plenty of food for the gorillas.
During the rainy season of Uganda some of the items to pack include waterproof jackets, raincoats or ponchos, hiking boots, warm clothing, gloves for those who will be trekking or hiking, thick socks, long trousers among others. During hikes, layering of clothes is also recommended as a way of keeping warm during the trip.
Many of Uganda’s destinations can be visited throughout the year including national parks and wildlife reserves and there are many activities and attractions to choose from when planning a trip to the country.
