When to Visit Uganda? Best Time to go to Uganda
Uganda has a warm climate all year round but there are specific times in the year that are best for tourists to visit this pearl of Africa. Uganda is located on the equator and this makes its climate stable and this explains why seasonal temperature variations in Uganda are insignificant. One main factor that a tourist tending to visit Uganda should consider is the rainfall pattern, especially if he/she plans on hiking in the Rwenzori mountains.
The wettest months in Uganda are; April May, October and November and camping totally becomes hard since one has to be packing up the tent in the rain so often. Hiking in these months becomes practically impossible and some unsurfaced roads may be impassable.
It should be noted that 90% of the visitors that visit Uganda, the main aim of their visit is to track mountain gorillas and consequently most of them follow an established circuit between Kampala and the mountain gorilla parks in the southwestern Uganda. Southwestern Uganda is the area with the greatest density of natural attractions and associated infrastructure. From Entebbe international airport, many head west to Fort portal, an area where the main attraction is chimpanzee tracking in the forested Kibale National Park, and then enjoy a 3-5 night visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. In the south of QENP, there is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which offers no less than four seperate gorilla tracking locations.
It is a long journey from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Kampala and a relaxing overnight break advised at any of the lovely hotels and lodges near Lake Mburo National Park. This itinerary can be covered in seven days but if one wishes he can spend more than seven days looking at the serene environment of Western Uganda.
Exploring Fort portal and Rwenzori area takes days while Lake Bunyonyi and the Virunga volcanoes are worthwhile diversions near Bwindi.
Visitors who intend to reach the true East African wilderness will want to head north to the Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park. However, this leads to an increase in the travel time and expenditure.
For visitors with time for a day trip can wind up their visit by heading to the East from Kampala to visit the famed source of the Nile at Jinja and experience a menu of adventure sports offered along the Nile corridor north of the town such as; bungee jumping ,whitewater rafting, , quad biking and kayaking.
Best times for the various tourism activities
Gorilla Tracking: Also known as the leading tourism activity in Uganda, gorilla tracking is best done during the dry season. In Uganda, these dry seasons are mainly during the months of January and February and this is the time when the highest gorilla safaris are registered in Uganda. Gorilla tracking is best done during the dry season because the gorillas come out in search for water making it easier to track.
Birding: In Uganda, birding is best carried out between the months of November and April. This is because during this period, different species of birds migrate from different countries to Uganda. Birding becomes boring during the extremely wet months of April and May.
Game Viewing: Game viewing in Uganda’s savannah parks is best done at the end of a dry season. This is because during the dry season, different mammals tend to gather around water sources to take some water. The activity is best done during the months of February, March, September and early October.
Mountain Hiking: Mountain hiking is best done during the dry season. This is because, climbing the mountains when the slopes are wet is too hard and discouraging.