Weather in Uganda

Uganda can be visited year-round due to its equatorial location, but two dry seasons offer the most pleasant conditions for wildlife viewing and trekking. The longer dry season runs from June through August, when the vegetation thins, animals concentrate around water sources, and gorilla trekking permits are easier to secure. This is generally considered the prime travel window and the period when highland trails in the Rwenzori and Bwindi are most accessible, though it does attract the highest visitor numbers.

The shorter dry season from December through February is equally rewarding, with excellent wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks and a somewhat quieter atmosphere on the main tourist circuit. The two rainy seasons — March to May and September to November — bring lush landscapes, fewer tourists, and lower accommodation rates, though some roads become difficult to navigate and the forest undergrowth thickens during gorilla treks. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest is good year-round, as these primates remain active regardless of rainfall.