Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

People often ask which month is best for gorillas. The honest answer is that the gorillas live in the forest all year, so treks run in every season. The better question is what kind of trek you want, because the season changes the walk far more than it changes the animals.

Uganda's seasons in brief

Uganda sits on the equator, so there are two rainy seasons and two drier ones. Roughly, the heavier rains fall from March to May and again from September to November, while June to August and December to February are drier. Rain in the mountains is less predictable than the calendar suggests, so treat these as tendencies rather than rules. Our month-by-month seasons guide covers the whole country.

The drier months

Trails are firmer and less slippery, which matters on the steep ground of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Views are clearer, and fewer showers interrupt the hour with the gorillas. These are also the busier months, so permits and rooms fill earlier. If you want a specific lodge or sector, book well ahead.

The wetter months

Rain makes trails muddy and views softer, but the forest is lush and there are often fewer visitors. Good boots, gaiters, a rain jacket and patience make these months very doable, and you may find it easier to secure a permit for your preferred date. Mud is the main challenge, which is why we suggest hiring a porter.

Which sector and which family

Gorilla families live in different sectors, and the walk to each one varies from a short stroll to a long climb. You are allocated a family on the morning of the trek based on fitness, preference and availability, so the same month can bring very different days. Read what a gorilla trekking day is really like to prepare.

Choosing between Bwindi and Mgahinga

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one habituated group that sometimes crosses the border, while Bwindi has many more groups. For most first-time visitors Bwindi gives more flexibility. Our guide to Uganda versus Rwanda gorilla trekking explains the wider choice.

Pair the trek with the right activities

In the drier months the roads and parks are at their easiest, so a gorilla trek combines well with game drives in Queen Elizabeth and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. In the wetter months the forests and lakes are at their greenest, so birding and a restful stay at Lake Bunyonyi make better companions. Either way, leave a spare night near the trailhead in case the weather turns.

Whatever the season, book early

Gorilla permits are limited and issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (opens in a new tab). Prices are set in US dollars and revised periodically, so always check the current tariff. Choose your dates first, then ask us to check availability and build the rest of the trip around them. Our 3 day Bwindi gorilla trek from Mbarara shows a simple plan.