The greatest time to go gorilla trekking is in Uganda, which is renowned as the gem of Africa because of its temperate climate and lush green flora. It is also one of the best places to visit these endangered mountain gorillas. And because of these magnificent mountain gorillas, Uganda has been named the best place for tourists to visit in Africa.
In addition, the climate has a distinct weather pattern. Furthermore, it is encircled by Lake Victoria, Africa’s second largest lake, which offers both Ugandans and tourists cool, refreshing air while also being close to the equator. However, there are two distinct rainy seasons in Uganda: the long rainy season, which begins in mid-March and lasts until May, and the short season, which begins in October and lasts until November.
Therefore, June, July, August, and September are the best months to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking. If those months don’t suit you, you might choose to go gorilla trekking in Uganda in December, January, and February, which are all rather pleasant.
The average temperature in Uganda rises to 21.5 degrees Celsius, and at night it can drop to about 54 degrees, which has an impact on altitude. Uganda receives between 1000 and 2000 millimeters of rain annually. However, the majority of safari vacations in Uganda’s protected national parks are supported by the country’s clear skies throughout the year. The weather patterns have changed as a result of climate change, making it more difficult to forecast the travel seasons.
Since there may be less rainfall and more sunshine in most tourist destinations, most visitors to Uganda, whether on a gorilla trekking safari or for game viewing, choose to travel around May through September through February. December is one of the busiest and most exciting months of the year in the entire national park.
It is suggested for travelers who intend to come during one of the above months to reserve their lodging in advance to prevent disappointments. Additionally, although December can be a busy month, many Ugandans and other foreigners always plan to take vacations to national parks during the Christmas season.
In low season, you can choose to visit Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, which is acceptable to most visitors because lodging costs are lower and national parks may be less crowded. Because there are fewer people and fewer hotels booked during peak season, February and September are also regarded as ideal months for safari vacations in Uganda.
Although people’s work and travel are impacted by Uganda’s rainy season, travel is still possible; it may rain in the morning and then clear up in the afternoon, allowing you to carry on with your activities uninterrupted. During the rainy season, when national parks are open, mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking are also possible.
The price of a permit for gorilla trekking
The cost of a Uganda Gorilla trekking permit is USD 800 per day for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost USD 1,500 per person per day, whereas those in Congo cost USD 400.
Gorilla trekking is possible in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Most lodging establishments lower their prices during the off-peak months of March through May and October through November in an effort to draw more tourists. Gorilla permits may also be discounted during these times, which will draw more people to Uganda.
Regarding this, Uganda’s environment is cool due to its elevated terrain, therefore it’s crucial to observe the most favorable trekking circumstances if you intend to embark on a gorilla trek. The two dry seasons of January to February and June to September are the ideal times to travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking, even with the low season costs.
The dry season, which runs from February to March, September, and early October, is ideal for those looking to travel to Uganda to see game. This is due to the fact that many wildlife species are gathered around bodies of water in certain national parks.
Although bird watching may be done all year round, it is best done from November to April when the migratory birds are in the country, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In order to avoid leaving with many disappointments, we encourage travelers to avoid scheduling their safari vacation during the rainy months of April and May.
