If you are planning a journey to meet mountain gorillas in East Africa, one of the most important questions is: What is the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking? Uganda is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, protected inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Because these rainforests are humid, mountainous, and seasonal, choosing the right month helps travelers enjoy clearer trails, easier hikes, and perfect photography conditions.

This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking, including weather patterns, high and low seasons, permit demand, visibility, and recommended months. And for travelers coming from Rwanda, Gorilla Trek From Kigali offers easy transport to Bwindi or Mgahinga, making the experience faster, smoother, and more affordable.

Why the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking Matters

Uganda is a year-round gorilla destination, but weather changes affect trail conditions, forest visibility, and tour pricing. Understanding the seasons helps you decide the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking based on your preferences—dry trails, green landscapes, or low-season discounts.

Travelers choose their trekking dates based on:

 Weather and rainfall
 Hiking difficulty
 Photography conditions
 Gorilla permit availability
 Lodge pricing
 Travel schedule

Although you can see gorillas in any month, certain times offer better comfort and easier trekking.

Quick Summary – Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking

Both parks—Bwindi and Mgahinga—follow this weather pattern.

June – September: Best Overall Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking

The long dry season is the most popular and considered the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking. Travelers enjoy:

 Dry and firmer hiking trails
 Lower humidity and less slippery ground
 Clear forest visibility
 Perfect weather for photography
 Great wildlife viewing across Uganda’s national parks

Because this is high season, gorilla permits and lodges sell out fast, especially in July and August. Booking early is recommended.

Best For:

 Families
 Seniors
 First-time trekkers
 Wildlife photographers
 Luxury travelers

If you are seeking the easiest conditions, June–September is the best time.

December – February: Great Weather and Fewer Crowds

The short dry season also offers excellent trekking conditions, and many travelers prefer it because it is less crowded than mid-year. This period is warm, bright, and comfortable.

Why travelers choose December–February:

 Good weather but less busy
 Great views inside the forest
 Excellent photography lighting
 Smooth combination with safaris in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls

This is also a great time for those who want permits without long waiting lists.

March – May: Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking on a Budget

This is the long rainy season. Some travelers avoid it because trails can become muddy and wet, but there are powerful advantages:

 Lodges offer discounted rates
 The forest is lush and beautiful
 Fewer tourists
 Easier last-minute gorilla permits
 Gorillas sometimes feed near the lower slopes, meaning shorter hikes

For travelers who don’t mind a little mud, this is a cost-friendly and rewarding time to trek.

October – November: Beautiful Green Season Trekking

The short rainy season brings scattered showers, but not as much rain as April or May. Many photographers consider this one of the most beautiful months for the rainforest.

Advantages include:

 Rich green scenery
 Misty mountains and dramatic skies
 Good chance of available permits
 Quiet forest and fewer trekkers
 Comfortable temperatures

If you want a peaceful trek, October–November is a good time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking.

Weather and Temperature

Even in the dry season, Uganda’s forests are tropical—rain can fall any day. However, dry seasons provide more stable weather. Temperatures are mild year-round:

🌡 Daytime: 20–28°C
🌡 Night: 10–15°C in highland areas

This makes gorilla trekking comfortable any month of the year.

Gorilla Sightings Are Guaranteed

No matter what month you visit, Uganda maintains a 99% success rate for gorilla sightings. Each day, expert rangers and trackers locate the gorilla families before visitors begin trekking. Whether it is sunny or rainy, sightings are almost always successful.

So even though travelers ask about the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking, the truth is: you can see gorillas all year.

Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking Based on Travel Style

 For easiest trails:
 June–September
 December–February

 For lowest prices:
 March–May
 October–November

 For photographers:
 June–September (bright sunlight)
 October–November (rich green rainforest)

 For last-minute bookings:
 March–May
 October–November

Traveling from Rwanda – Gorilla Trek From Kigali

Many travelers choose to trek gorillas in Uganda but start their journey in Rwanda. With Gorilla Trek From Kigali, you can:

 Drive from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga in just 3–4 hours
 Avoid the long drive from Entebbe
 Save time and money
 Get seamless border crossing support
Book a 2-day or 3-day Uganda gorilla safari easily

This makes Uganda trekking accessible even for travelers who land at Kigali International Airport. In this case, the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking follows the same dry and green season schedule—but Kampala travel and long internal flights are avoided.

Accommodation Availability

Dry season months (June–September and December–February) have high demand, so booking early is important. In rainy seasons, lodges offer better deals and last-minute space.

Both Bwindi and Mgahinga have:

 Budget lodges
 Midrange eco-lodges
 Luxury safari lodges
 Community-run accommodations

Permits – Best Time to Buy

Gorilla permits in Uganda cost:

 $700 per person (foreign non-residents)
 $600 (foreign residents)
 UGX 250,000 (East Africans)

Permits sell out quickly in June–September, so early booking is recommended. In rainy seasons, it’s easier to get last-minute permits.

Final Recommendation – Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking

If you want the best weather, easiest treks, and best visibility, choose:

June–September
December–February

If you want low rates, fewer tourists, and lush scenery, choose:

March–May
October–November

Because gorilla encounters are successful all year, the real choice depends on your preference for weather, price, and trail conditions.

Conclusion

So, what is the Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking?

 Dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer the easiest trekking
 Rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) offer budget deals and beautiful green scenery

If you’re traveling from Rwanda, Gorilla Trek From Kigali makes reaching Bwindi and Mgahinga fast and convenient any month of the year.

Whether you visit in sunshine or mist, trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda is a powerful, emotional, bucket-list experience.