Best Time to Visit Uganda

Kampala and the rest of Uganda

Uganda sits right on the equator, so there's no winter or summer. What changes is rain. Most of the country has two wet seasons and two drier ones, and that shapes almost every trip.

Our data covers Kampala, the capital. It's best in January and February, and again in July. February is the hottest month at 30°C, but that's still warm rather than harsh. April is the wettest by a long way, at 189 mm. Roads get slick, and boda-bodas (motorbike taxis) are no fun in a downpour.

The main seasons

The long rains run roughly from March to May. A shorter wet spell comes around October and November. The dry stretches are December to February and June to August.

If you're heading out of the city, the dry months matter even more. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga means steep, muddy trails, and they're far easier when it's dry. Safaris in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls national parks also work better then. Animals gather near water, and the tracks stay passable.

Prefer green scenery and quiet lodges? The wet months can still be rewarding. Just expect some slow drives and a few cancelled plans.

Holidays, events and crowds

High season matches the dry months, especially June to August and December to February. Permits for gorilla trekking sell out fast then, so Kampala's best months are also the busiest for the parks. Low season is March to May, when lodges often drop their rates.

Christmas and New Year are busy, and many Ugandans travel home to their villages. Buses and roads out of Kampala fill up. Independence Day on 9 October is a national holiday, and so is Martyrs' Day on 3 June. On Martyrs' Day, huge crowds of pilgrims walk to Namugongo, on the edge of Kampala. Expect heavy traffic and full guesthouses nearby.

If you want one simple plan, aim for January or February. You'll get a good chance of dry days in the city and easier trekking afterwards.