Before the pandemic, over 1.5 million international tourists visited Uganda every year. For many, it may not be one of the top destinations on their wishlist, while for others, an African safari is everything they’ve ever dreamed of.

No matter where you fall in the above demographics, one thing’s true: Uganda’s worth visiting at least once in your lifetime! This country is rich in diverse landscapes, from mountain rainforests to savannas. And within these biomes are exotic creatures you don’t want to miss.

When is the best time to visit Uganda though? You’ll want to have good timing to make your holiday worth every penny, after all.

Read on to find out more about the nation’s seasons so planning a trip is easier!

January to February

These 2 months are dry, so you won’t have to worry about rainy and muddy treks, as it doesn’t rain often. There’s also thinner vegetation, so it’ll be easier to see wildlife. They won’t have as many hiding places!

At the end of February and beginning of March, it’ll be optimal for game viewing. This is the end of the dry season and wildlife will congregate around waterholes.

However, the downside to visiting at this time is it can be very hot. Not only that, but it can also be dusty, which is bad for allergy sufferers. Conditions are also often hazy, so visibility isn’t great on certain days.

March to May

From March to May is a long wet season. It won’t be as hot as in January and February, so the temperatures are more pleasant and the heat isn’t as intense.

There’s more rain during this time, which results in lush greenery in Uganda. This is a double-edged sword, as it can make it harder to spot wildlife. The increase in water also causes animals to go to higher ground, so this also makes it more difficult to see them.

The air is nice during this time though, so you’ll have fantastic visibility. Not to mention, there are also migratory birds that come, so it’s excellent for avid birdwatchers. Plus, many animals give birth in March, so you’ll get to see the miracle of life and some cute babies.

June to August

You’ll get a long dry season from June to August. Considering that it’s summer, this is when you’ll experience the hottest weather in Uganda.

Because there are few rainy days and animal spotting is best (they migrate to the waterholes), most tourists visit during this period. So it can be challenging to book accommodations and activities, both in terms of availability and prices.

During this time, the vegetation is thinner, as the lands have dried out. While this makes it easier to spot animals, the landscape is quite brown and the air quality isn’t great because of the dust.

If you’d like to go hiking though, conditions are perfect in these months. There’s little to no mud, so the terrain is easier to traverse.

September to December

Once you reach September, the temperatures start cooling, so it won’t be as stifling hot. During this short wet season, the landscape turns green again, and the dust disappears. It’ll rain off and on, with plenty of thunderstorms in November.

Between September and early October, this is another fantastic period for game viewing. Again, this is the end of the dry season, which will result in wildlife gathering at water sources. However, it’ll be tougher to spot wildlife later on, due to thicker vegetation and the abundance of water on higher grounds.

December can be a nice time to visit, as the rains will taper off here. Game viewing is excellent, and migratory birds make their way back to Uganda this month, which is nice.

You Have Several Options for the Best Time to Visit Uganda

Most people agree that the best time to visit Uganda is during its 2 dry seasons. These are the periods between December to February and June to September, and they’re the best times to visit if you want to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

The first dry season is quite short, so you’ll have less flexibility to book your holiday. However, the longer dry season is extremely popular, so it’ll be more difficult to book excursions and other activities. If you opt to vacation during the second dry season, then we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment.

If you want to avoid the crowds and want to travel on a tight budget, then we’d suggest visiting in April. It’s the wettest month of the year, which means many roads are closed during this time. However, there are fewer tourists and there are massive discounts on things like hotels and tours.

An alternative to April is September through November, as those months are quite wet as well.

For something in the middle, try December. It’s not very wet or hot, there’s plenty of wildlife to see, and it’s not too busy or expensive.

Treat Yourself to a Uganda Vacation 

Now that you know more about the different seasons, you can figure out the best time to visit Uganda for your preferences and budget.

Regardless of when you choose to visit, you’ll have an amazing time seeing the sights of the beautiful country. And if you’re fortunate to book a holiday here repeatedly, try to come at various times in the year to see how nature changes. It’ll make unforgettable experiences!

If visiting Uganda sounds interesting to you, then get a quote for our bespoke safaris and tour holidays. We’ll take you through the best parts of the nation!