When to go · Uganda
Uganda, month by month
The best months for Uganda: Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatDry: good trekking, green hills; Liberation Day 26 Jan.South-west highlands: best weather · Western parks: best weather · Lake Victoria basin: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGreatStill dry and warm; best for Kidepo and Murchison.South-west highlands: best weather · Western parks: best weather · Lake Victoria basin: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedRains begin; trails get muddy but treks run.South-west highlands: rainy · Western parks: fine · Lake Victoria basin: rainyCrowds: Low · 4 festivals or holidays
- AprilMixedWettest month; gorilla permits discounted to about US$600 — check.South-west highlands: rainy · Western parks: rainy · Lake Victoria basin: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayMixedRain eases late; low-season permits and lodge offers.South-west highlands: rainy · Western parks: rainy · Lake Victoria basin: rainyCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- JuneGreatDry season starts; Martyrs' Day (3 Jun) jams Kampala roads.South-west highlands: best weather · Western parks: best weather · Lake Victoria basin: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
- JulyGreatPeak trekking; book permits 4–6 months ahead.South-west highlands: best weather · Western parks: best weather · Lake Victoria basin: best weatherCrowds: High
- AugustGreatPeak trekking and chimp season.South-west highlands: best weather · Western parks: best weather · Lake Victoria basin: best weatherCrowds: High
- SeptemberGoodMostly dry, occasional showers.South-west highlands: fine · Western parks: fine · Lake Victoria basin: fineCrowds: Medium
- OctoberMixedShort rains; Independence Day 9 Oct.South-west highlands: rainy · Western parks: rainy · Lake Victoria basin: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberMixedWet; discounted gorilla permits — check.South-west highlands: rainy · Western parks: rainy · Lake Victoria basin: rainyCrowds: Low
- DecemberGreatDry again from mid-month; Christmas lodges fill.South-west highlands: best weather · Western parks: best weather · Lake Victoria basin: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Uganda, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
Jan: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 2
Feb: 1
January: Dry: good trekking, green hills; Liberation Day 26 Jan.
February: Still dry and warm; best for Kidepo and Murchison.
Uganda: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-west highlandsBwindi, Mgahinga, Lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Best |
| Western parksQueen Elizabeth, Kibale, Fort Portal, Rwenzori | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Best |
| Lake Victoria basinEntebbe, Kampala, Jinja | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet | Best |
| North and north-westMurchison Falls, Kidepo Valley | Hot | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | OK | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |