Best Time to See Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda this 2023/4
The Best Time to See Gorillas in Uganda is during the 2 dry seasons: long and short dry season. Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Best Time to Go is also the same periods as Uganda.
The longest dry season and Best Time to See Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda runs from June, July, August to September, and the short dry months begin from December, January to February.
A visit to either Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla trekking during these months guarantees visitors excellent trekking experience as they encounter mountain gorillas in the wild.
The Best Time to See Gorillas in Africa
From June to September;
June, July, August and September are months that mark the start of the peak/high season. They are the best months of the year to organize a Luxury Gorilla Tour in Uganda or Rwanda, but ensure that you have your trip and permits booked early enough to avoid last minute stress.
June to September is characterized by favorable weather conditions making it easier for tourists to enjoy their gorilla treks in Bwindi National Park, Volcanoes National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The hiking trails are walkable – not muddy and the vegetation is clear thus allowing visitors to view mountain gorillas and taking awesome pictures without being obstructed.
December, January to February;
December, January to February – these are hot months of the year, also another Best Time to See Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga and you enjoy up close and personal with mountain gorillas in the natural rainforest.
During these months, the sky can be clear with little or no rains but more sunshine. If you would like to enjoy treks without experiencing any muddy condition, then February is undoubtedly the best month of the year for you to consider visiting Uganda to see gorillas.
Uganda experiences average temperature rise of 21.5 degrees celsius and at night, temperatures drastically drop 12 degrees celsius. Day/night temperature rise is influenced by altitude of the area.
Rainfall record of 1000 and 2000mm is received annually, but this varies depending on the season. Click here to see detailed weather conditions in Uganda.
Rwanda on the other hand experiences 16 °C / 61 °F to 27 °C / 81 °F during the months of December, January and February. View Rwandan weather readings here.
Benefits of Trekking Gorillas During Dry Season;
The dry season is of course the best time to see gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda or even Congo. It is during this period when trekkers can easily spot mountain gorillas considering the sparse vegetation cover.
Because of the sparse vegetation, it is easier seeing these large apes as they move. The ground is drier and makes it easier walking through the park while you search for a family or group of mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park.
The disadvantage with the dry season is that there is limited food supply. Because of food scarcity, gorillas tend to move far looking for what to eat and this means, long day trek to locate them.
Visiting Uganda Gorillas from March to May (The Rainy Season).
March, April & May mark the start of wet or rainy season. They are the first phase of rainy season, also breeding season for most wildlife and excellent period for birders. It is during the wetter months that the parks experience high growth rate of vegetation and this means gorillas plus other species have abundant forage to depend on.
Mountain gorillas are vegetarians, and during the rainy months, they won’t move to distant places looking for what to feed like it is during the dry season. The other phase of wet or rainy season begins from October to November –this is regarded as the short rainy/wet season.
The disadvantage with the rainy season is that heavy rains are received and the ground can become muddy, thus making it challenging walking through the park in search of gorillas. The vegetation is dense and it can obstruct you when taking photographs of mountain gorillas.
This is though one of the best time to see migratory birds of these areas and butterflies.
Travel Tips for African Gorilla Safaris;
Whether you choose to travel to see gorillas in Uganda during the dry or wet season, expect rains at any time of the day. This is considering the nature of gorilla habitats that are largely covered by vast tropical rainforests.
Avoid bright colored or shouting colors if you plan to visit Africa for gorilla trekking. Find environmentally friendly or blending clothes to wear on a gorilla trek –bright colored clothes can scare away gorillas.
What to Pack for a Gorilla Trekking Safari?
You can make your gorilla trip memorable by packing the right gear. These include a rain jacket, daypack, long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, safari hat, bottled drinking water, insect repellents, snacks, long trousers, a good camera, gardening gloves, waterproof hiking boots, walking stick –get one at the park offices/safari lodge, and others.
See the detailed guide of gorilla trekking packing list.
Where to see Mountain Gorillas?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the only two places to visit to see gorillas in Uganda. The two beautiful parks are all situated in the far Southwestern Uganda, and getting there takes between 8 and 9 hours by road.
In Rwanda, mountain gorillas can be found in Volcanoes National Park which is just 2-hour away from the Kigali city. Read More about the location of mountain gorillas.