Always remember that while some animals have become accustomed to the presence of people they are still wild animals. Keep your distance. It is illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention, or to agitate and scare an animal, or deviate from designated roads for that closer photograph. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points. Close all windows and zippers when you leave your room or tent and spray it with insect repellant.
Many prospective travelers who would like to Visit Uganda wonder about the WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT UGANDA? According to most tour operators, this question is one of the frequently asked questions to many people hoping to visit Uganda- African Jungle Adventures has come up to answer this Question. According to climate and location, Uganda can be visited all year round. Temperatures in Uganda range between 24 to 28 degrees celisius – cooler at night – Uganda receives two rainfall seasons – one season in October and November- this is the shorter rainy period and longer rainy season from mid March to May.
Some travelers visiting solely for Uganda Safaris fear visiting the country in the rainy periods but decided to come from May to September and December to February- this is the period when many tourists flood Uganda.As stated by Winston Churchill, Uganda is indeed the “pearl of Africa” due to many attractions like drainage, Wildlife and relief among others.
Top National Parks in Uganda
The most visited Uganda National parks include
- Kidepo Valley National Park,
- Murchison Falls National Park,
- Kibale Forest National park,
- Queen Elizabeth National Park,
- Semliki National Park,
- Lake Mburo National Park,
- Mgahinga National park
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.
The most amazing or exciting or likely or seen tourist attraction in Uganda include;
- the mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga national park,
- Wild Chimpanzee in Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest and Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth national park,
- Watching the big five including elephants, Hippos, Buffaloes, crocodiles and Giraffes.
Some tourists decide to visit Uganda in the last week of December to celebrate the festive season on the safari- Christmas and the first day of the year. Being a peak season, accommodation should be booked in advance but the rates vary basing on the nature of the Lodge or Hotel. Luxury lodges charges more than deluxe and Budget accommodation. From first march to 31st May then 1st October and 30th November are also good time to visit Uganda – this is a low season but worth undertaking Uganda safaris due to the fact that Gorilla permits are discounted in this period, accommodation rates are also lowered, Car hire rates are also lowered among others.
In low season, Uganda Gorilla permits are discounted to US$ 300 for East African residents, US$ 350 for foreign residents and UGX 150000 for Ugandans. This is a great advantage as Rwanda does not offer discount even in low season- Rwanda Gorilla tracking permit remain at US$ 750 throughout the year.From 1st January to 25th February, 1st June – 30th September and from 1st – 31st December is the Uganda peak season as far as safaris are concerned. This is a period when accommodation rates are hiked and mountain Gorilla permits are sold at US$ 600 each.
Advance booking for Gorilla permits, golden monkey permits and chimpanzee permits is needed due to very high demand. This is when many safari vehicles are seen in the savanna parks doing game drives especially in Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison, Lake Mburo National park and Kidepo Valley National park among others.
Lastly if you are looking to cheap gorilla trekking it is advisable to visit the country during the off peak months of March, April, May and October, November. The Uganda Wildlife Authority also puts on offers promotional gorilla permits for sale at USD 350 for foreign visitors during the months of April, May and November.