When is the best time to visit Uganda

You will be surprised to know that the best time to travel to Uganda is the whole year round. This African country has a tropical savannah climate, which means it is warm in all seasons. On the other hand, it hardly rains, so you can choose any month to visit the country.

When to travel to Uganda

The mild and uniform climate of Uganda makes it a country which is suitable for visiting at any time of the year. The average temperatures range from 20ºC to 30ºC. This is mainly due to the altitude; however, in the north the dry climate is drier, with an average temperature of 33°C. In the south and on the shores of the lakes, the temperatures are more moderate, with an average of 20°C and more rainfall.

On the other hand, Uganda has two dry seasons, one which runs from December to February and the other from June to August. Another thing to keep in mind is that, in the northeast region of the country, near southern Sudan, the climate is semi-arid. Although Uganda can be visited all year round, there are months which it is better to avoid.

If you want to find the best time to visit the country, we advise you to travel between June and September. The temperatures are not so high and it hardly rains. From October to the end of November, on the other hand, there are more possibilities of rains, but you have the advantage of having more facilities to see the gorillas.

However, many travellers agree that the best time to travel to Uganda is at the end of December, or also towards the end of February. In this period the weather is generally dry and warm. Another good time for your trip is in the period from mid-June to mid-August.

Given the above, we will analyse the best time to travel to Uganda and visit its incredible and numerous national parks.

Best time to travel to northern Uganda

Within the large number of parks and nature reserves which this country has, to the north is the Kidepo Valley National Park, and to the northeast the Matheniko Reserve. To visit these wonders of nature, besides the fact that you can do it practically throughout the year, the north is rainier.

During the second dry season of Uganda (June to September), the rains will be less torrential. In the north, however, the rainy season is longer, so it goes from the end of March to the middle of October. If, therefore, you want to avoid the rains, you had better travel to this region between November and February, the first dry season of the year.

Best time to travel to western Uganda

So that you can visit the Kibale National Park, the Mount Elgon National Park and the Sipi waterfall, among many other wonders in the east of this country, do it between June and September, or also in January and February. In these months the weather will be ideal for discovering everything which this Ugandan region has to offer you.

From March to June, especially April, it is the rainiest season in the entire country. Therefore, March, April, May and June are the worst months to visit this region. Even if you have a good temperature, the rains will make it difficult for you to see the animals or even travel from one place to another.

Best time to travel to northern Uganda

To the west of the country, we have the Murchison Falls National Park and the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, among many other natural wonders. You can visit both parks at any time of the year, although it is better to avoid the rainy season.

Therefore, once again, it is advisable to avoid the months from March to June if we want to take advantage of our trip. The rest of the year the climatic conditions will accompany you to make safaris, treks, and see the animals in their natural habitat.

Now you know the best time to travel to Uganda, you have no reason not to prepare for your trip. This country is well worth several visits, but for a first contact remember: avoid the rainy season!

Best time to travel to southern Uganda

Natural treasures such as the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mutanda Lake, Mburo Lake National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Fort Portal, or the Mgahinga Gorillas National Park to the southwest, the famous Victoria Lake, or the Ssese islands to the southeast, are in the south of Uganda.

The best time to trek and see gorillas in this region is between December and February and also from mid-June to the beginning of September. Avoid the month of April if possible, as this is when it rains the most in this region.