Month by month: dry seasons, rains, permit discounts, birding and wildlife, so you can choose the right time for gorillas, game drives or mountains.
Uganda and Rwanda sit on the equator, so there is no winter or summer. Temperatures stay remarkably steady all year: about 25–29 °C by day in the savannah parks, and 10–20 °C in the gorilla highlands. What changes is the rain. Both countries have two dry seasons and two wetter seasons, and that pattern shapes trail conditions, game viewing, prices and how busy the parks are.
| Month | Weather | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, warm | Excellent for gorillas and game drives. Popular, so book early. |
| February | Dry, hottest | Short grass and animals at water, making it great for savannah parks. |
| March | Rains begin | Greener, quieter. Rain comes mostly in the afternoons. |
| April | Wettest | US$600 Uganda permits. Muddy trails, but lush scenery and few visitors. |
| May | Wet, easing | US$600 permits. Good value, with rains tapering off late in the month. |
| June | Dry season starts | An excellent all-round month, with demand rising fast. |
| July | Dry | Peak season. Gorilla permits sell out months ahead. |
| August | Dry | Peak season. Also Rwanda's busiest month. |
| September | Dry, short rains near | Still excellent, and Kwita Izina (gorilla naming) is often held around this time in Rwanda. |
| October | Short rains | Showers return and the parks get quieter. |
| November | Short rains | US$600 Uganda permits. Migrant birds arrive. |
| December | Drying out | Holiday demand from mid-December. |
A "rainy" day in Uganda usually means a heavy shower of an hour or two, often in the afternoon, then sunshine. Treks and drives still go ahead. The real costs are mud on forest trails and slower journeys on some dirt roads. A good rain jacket and gaiters solve most of it. See our packing list.
| Destination | Best time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bwindi and Mgahinga | June–Sep, Dec–Feb | Drier trails. April, May and November for cheaper permits. |
| Volcanoes | June–Sep, Dec–Feb | Drier trails and clear volcano views |
| Kibale | All year | Chimps are active all year, with easier trails in dry months |
| Queen Elizabeth | June–Sep, Dec–Feb | Short grass, animals at water |
| Murchison Falls | Dec–Feb, June–Sep | The best game viewing on the north bank |
| Kidepo | Nov–Mar | Animals concentrate in the Narus Valley |
| Rwenzori | Late Dec–Feb, June–Aug | The least rain for treks |
| Mount Elgon | June–Aug, Dec–Mar | Firmer trails and clearer summits |
| Nyungwe | June–Aug, Dec–Feb | Easier forest trails |
| Akagera | June–Sep, Dec–Feb | Game concentrates near the lakes |
| Lake Kivu and Bunyonyi | All year | Pleasant year-round. Dry months have clearer skies. |
| Peak (dry) season | Green (wet) season | |
|---|---|---|
| Months | June–September, December–February | March–May, October–November |
| Weather | Mostly dry and sunny, with cool mornings | Afternoon showers, lush landscapes |
| Trails | Firmer, easier trekking | Muddier, more slippery |
| Wildlife | Animals concentrate at water | More spread out, with newborns and excellent birding |
| Crowds | Busier | Quieter |
| Prices | Standard or higher | Lower lodge rates, and US$600 Uganda gorilla permits in April, May and November |
| Booking | 4–12 months ahead | Often weeks ahead |
Because Uganda and Rwanda sit on the equator, temperatures depend more on altitude than on the month. The savannah parks (Queen Elizabeth, Murchison, Akagera, Kidepo) are warm to hot, around 25–32 °C by day. Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali are pleasant at 20–28 °C. The gorilla highlands of Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes are cool at 15–23 °C by day, with cold nights near 7–12 °C. Mountain summits drop below freezing. Pack for all of these on a typical circuit.
Rain patterns in East Africa have become less predictable in recent years, with occasional heavy rains in the "dry" months and dry spells in the rainy seasons. We watch forecasts and road conditions closely and adjust routes when needed. Flexible planning, good rain gear and a relaxed attitude make any season rewarding.
Uganda and Rwanda have a bimodal rain pattern, meaning two rainy seasons a year. The "long rains" run roughly from March to May, and the "short rains" from October to November. Between them are two dry seasons: a longer one from June to September and a shorter one from December to February. The pattern shifts slightly by region. Northern Uganda, including Kidepo, has a single long rainy season from about April to October. The highlands of Bwindi, the Rwenzori and Nyungwe get rain in every month. Even in the wet seasons, most days have sunshine, with rain falling mainly in the afternoon or overnight.
See gorilla permits and how to book.
There is no bad time to visit Uganda and Rwanda. If you want the easiest trekking conditions and don't mind booking early and sharing parks with more visitors, choose June to September or December to February. If you prefer lower prices, fewer people and lush scenery, and you don't mind some rain, choose April, May or November. Either way, the gorillas, chimps and wildlife are there all year. See our tours and tailor-made safaris.
June–September and December–February for dry trails. April, May and November for the cheaper US$600 Uganda permit and fewer visitors.
Not at all. Rain usually falls in short bursts, landscapes are lush, and prices and crowds are lower.
April, May and November, with discounted gorilla and chimp permits and lower lodge rates.
Yes. December is one of the driest months and popular for gorilla trekking and game drives, especially around Christmas, so book early.
Yes, for travellers who don't mind rain: US$600 gorilla permits, lower lodge prices, lush scenery and very few visitors.
During and just after the rains, roughly March–May and October–December, many antelopes and other species give birth.
April is usually the wettest month in much of southern and western Uganda, although rain varies by region and year.
Yes. July is in the main dry season, with firmer trails, but it is one of the busiest months, so book permits early.
All year at Mabamba near Entebbe. Early mornings give the best chances, and water levels in the dry months can concentrate birds in the channels.
Yes. January is dry, warm and excellent for gorillas, chimps and game drives.
Yes. Gorilla trekking runs all year. Rain makes trails muddier, but sightings are just as good, and permits are cheaper in April, May and November.
Tell us your dates, budget and interests. We reply within 24 hours with a costed itinerary.
