The country is known for its fine sunny and rainy weather which often does not require the wearing of warm clothing except on some chilly nights in the mountainous areas in western and eastern Uganda. Uganda is on the sunny side most of the year, especially in the central region. Rainfall comes in torrents when delayed, especially when the expected patterns are delayed for some months.
Distinctive wet and dry seasons are typical of most Ugandan areas. For example in the southern, half of Uganda there is rainfall from March to May and in September to November. The rest of the periods are dry. There is a well-distributed rainfall pattern around the Lake Victoria Crescent, with storms and unpredictable rains falling during seasons when there is no rain elsewhere in Uganda.
Areas such as Karamoja in the northeast are dry possibly because of the dry winds blowing in from Somalia. There is very little mean variation in the weather in Uganda except for the mountain areas. The copious rains and bright sunshine are most responsible for successful rain-fed agriculture where grains, fruits and vegetables grow in abundance. Uganda’s weather is most likely a major factor contributing to the fine taste of its foods and quality of cash crops like vanilla, coffee arabica (the finest in the world) and tea although Uganda’s horticultural export industry has just started blooming.
When to Visit Uganda
The rainy seasons tend to be from March to April and October to November, but this varies in different areas and it can rain any time of year, especially in the forest and mountainous areas. Travel can be slower in the rainy season but the views are often better. Gorilla tracking can be muddier but it can certainly be done. In the mountainous areas it is much colder than on the plains and the rainfall is greater.
The temperatures on the plains tend to be between 21°C and 30°C and in the mountainous areas they can go down to 10°C in certain months. So our advice is to travel when it is most convenient and usually the rain, which is often for short periods, is part of the great experience.
A tourist may avoid tracking in the “official” rainy season only to find that it pours throughout his visit during another period! For this reason camps and lodges are not closed during the rainy season as they do in savannah countries. It is important to be well equipped at all times and follow your guide’s advice.
Safaris that include a visit to the gorillas are subject to availability of permits at time of booking. Please check with us for availability before you travel.
Book your gorilla permit in advance to avoid disappointment. Gorilla permits are in high demand, because of the stiff competition for them, and therefore are booked with payment on the basis of first come first served. To track gorillas each person must have the day gorilla permit which n62w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69Book Titleeeds to be arranged and paid for in advance, and if you are bringing a group of 10 or more, it is highly recommended that you book preferably at least 10 months for the high seasons – June-September and December-February; or latest 4-6 months in advance for the low seasons – October-November and March-May. Contact us for the latest status of availability, even for last-minute bookings.