Best Time to Visit Uganda Gorillas | Premium Africa Safaris

When is the best time to visit Uganda gorillas? Visiting gorillas in Uganda is every traveler’s dream, but first, knowing the ideal or best time or month of the year to encounter them is essential. To starters, gorillas in Uganda are best visited during the peak dry season.

The dry season offers excellent weather conditions for tourists to enjoy a face-to-face interaction with Uganda gorillas in their natural habitat compared to any season. Traveler’s Guide to Best Time to Visit Uganda Gorillas by Premium Africa Safaris.

Visit Uganda Gorillas during the Dry Season

The dry season in Uganda’s gorilla trekking parks falls around June, July, August, and September. These are long, dry months of the year and are characterized by clear skies, less rainfall, and drier hiking trails.

The conditions are generally great, making it easier for tourists to embark on a successful search for mountain gorillas.

The temperature range around June to September is about 17 to 27 degrees Celsius, translating into low and high, respectively. The rainfall amount received is around 84mm.

Why Visit Uganda Gorillas during the Dry Season

Long dry season: The dry months experience longer sunshine than any period of the year in Uganda. Conditions like these favor gorilla trekking in Bwindi-Mgahinga Forest.

Minimal slippery walking trails. With the low rainfall received, the hiking pathways remain relatively drier, making it safe for tourists to wind through the forest in search of mountain gorillas.

Enhanced hiking conditions. Visiting gorillas in Uganda around the dry season comes with improved conditions. It is easier to walk through the forest with the floor being less muddy.

Clear gorilla views. It is during the dry season when the vegetation cover in Bwindi or Mgahinga can be sparse as some trees shade off leaves. Tourists get a chance to enjoy clear views of gorillas as they are in their natural habitat.

Breathtaking landscape views. With thinner vegetation and long sunshine, visitors are guaranteed exceptional landscape views of the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Visit Uganda Gorillas in the Wet Season

Visits to see gorillas in Uganda can also be done during the wet or rainy season. The wet season is also referred to as off-peak months/season and is ideal for tourists on budget gorilla tour.

The rainy or wet season in Uganda’s gorilla trekking destinations falls from March to May and again around October to November. The advantage about visiting Uganda gorillas in the wet season or the low season is that you can secure discounted gorilla permits.

Where to visit the Uganda gorillas

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the only National Parks in Uganda for you to visit mountain gorillas. Bwindi and Mgahinga are in Southwestern Uganda and feature among the world’s popular destinations for gorilla safaris in Africa.

While in Bwindi and Mgahinga, the focus is primarily on seeing mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are listed as an endangered species and also fall under the Eastern gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits at the edge of the Albertine rift valley and extends 331 sq. km. This park was created in 1991, featuring largely a vast rainforest where over 120 mammal species.

A journey to Bwindi comes with endless adventures that guarantee lasting memories. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also been officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

The park supports a range of globally threatened species and besides gorillas, expect to find l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, African elephants, and a total of 335 species of birds.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park is only done in the 4 sectors or regions/areas, including Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. Each of these trailheads features already habituated families.

Visit Mgahinga gorillas. Situated in Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda, is a spectacular Mgahinga National Park, also a remarkable destination for you to find mountain gorillas. This park only covers 33.7 sq. km and is easier to navigate through as you search for the gorillas.

Compared to Bwindi, with about 25 habituated gorilla families, Mgahinga is dominated by only one habituated gorilla family (Nyakagezi).

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is most preferred by tourists with a desire to embark on an intimate gorilla trekking experience in Uganda or Africa.

The Nyakagezi gorilla family, which is in the lush Mgahinga, takes a maximum of 8 pax per day.

Beyond gorillas, Mgahinga is unique due to its golden monkeys. The presence of already habituated golden monkey troops makes it even possible to combine thrilling mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking.

Golden monkey and mountain gorilla treks can be combined with volcano hiking. Mgahinga is a unique national park that falls in the Virunga region. The Virunga area is popular for its 8 chain volcanoes, with 3 of them lying in Mgahinga.

Mgahinga, like Bwindi, also hosts a range of amazing bird species. Top unique birds in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include dusky turtle doves, crowned cranes, Kivu ground thrush, black kite, and Rwenzori turacos.

The park also supports birds such as Lagden’s bush shrikes, handsome francolins, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, and more. Mgahinga features different enriching birding trails, each introducing you to diverse habitats with unique bird species.

Gorilla Permits to Book in Uganda

Before visiting gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga, all tourists must have booked a gorilla permit. The standard gorilla permits in Uganda cost US Dollars 800 per person for foreign non-residents. USD 700 (foreign residents). USD 600 per person for the Rest of African tourists and Ugandans/East African citizens; 300,000 shs.

Discounted gorilla permits in Uganda are also available for tourists in need to see gorillas in Bwindi/Mgahinga in April, May, or November.

The cost of discounted Uganda gorilla permits ranges from USD 600 per person for foreign residents. Expect to save a lot not only on gorilla permits but also on accommodation and transportation.

What to carry on a tour to visit Uganda gorillas

Prior preparation is key when planning gorilla safaris to Uganda. The packing list should comprise only essential items and mind about the airline’s standard weight for luggage.

The items you can consider packing before you visit Uganda gorillas include a valid visa, passport, first aid kit, a camera, a sweater, long trousers, a daypack (should be waterproof), and a rain jacket. As you choose the colors, please consider environmentally friendly attire.

Are you guaranteed to see Uganda gorillas?

The chances of seeing Uganda gorillas are higher than in any other destination. First, Uganda is a safe destination and has an abundant mountain gorilla population. Over half of the world’s recent 1063 mountain gorilla population resides in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park.

Tips for Seeing Uganda Gorillas

Explore the essential tips for you to successfully visit Uganda’s gorillas in the wild. The travel tips below are ideal for all tourists with the dream to visit Uganda’s gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

1. Contact Flawless Adventure Planners to book your gorilla safari.
2. Book a gorilla permit in advance, and we can assist you.
3. Reserve your accommodation options in advance.
4. Get the package that suits your budget.
5. Ensure that you are above 15 years to visit Uganda gorillas.
6. Understand the set gorilla trekking rules early.
7. Pack well –begin with essentials to be on the safer part.
8. Understand the weather patterns of Uganda (dry and wet seasons).

4 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari (Bwindi or Mgahinga)

Day 1: Arrival & Relax in Hotel
Day 2: Drive from Entebbe to Mgahinga or Bwindi
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Visit (optional)
Day 4: Return to Entebbe by road or air

Final thoughts

Knowing the best time to visit Uganda gorillas is essential. It is the first step to take in planning a successful gorilla trekking safari to Uganda. Contact us to plan and book an affordable gorilla safari with Flawless Adventure Planners.