Safari guides · Uganda
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorillas: Month by Month
Gorilla trekking runs all year in Uganda. Here is how the seasons, permit demand and the UWA low-season months change your trip, so you can pick the right month for you.
The best time to visit Uganda for gorillas is during the drier months, June to September and December to February, when forest trails are firmer and the weather is more settled. These are also the busiest months, so permits sell out first. If you would rather have fewer people and greener forest, April, May and November are quieter, and in 2026 UWA introduced a lower low-season permit rate for those months. Gorilla trekking runs every day of the year, so there is no wrong month, only different trade-offs.
Uganda's seasons in brief
Uganda sits on the equator, so it does not have a summer and winter in the European sense. Instead, the year moves between drier and wetter spells. Broadly:
- Drier months: June to September, and December to February.
- Wetter months: March to May, with the heaviest rain usually in April and May, and the shorter rains around October and November.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a mountain rainforest, so it can rain on any day, even in the dry season. What changes is how often, and how muddy the trails get.
Month by month for gorilla trekking
| Months | Conditions | Permit demand | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| January to February | Drier, good trekking | High | 3 to 5 months |
| March | Rains returning | Moderate | 6 to 10 weeks |
| April to May | Wettest months, lush forest | Lower. UWA low-season months | 4 to 8 weeks |
| June to August | Drier, most popular | Very high, sells out | 4 to 6 months |
| September to October | Mostly dry, rain building later | Moderate to high | 8 to 12 weeks |
| November | Short rains | Moderate. UWA low-season month | 6 to 10 weeks |
| December | Drier, holiday peak | Very high | 4 to 6 months |
The lead times are what we see when buying permits for our own guests. They are a guide, not a promise. If your dates are fixed, the safest move is to ask us to check availability before you book flights.
The dry seasons: June to September and December to February
Most travellers choose these months, and for good reason. Trails are firmer underfoot, which matters on Bwindi's steep slopes, and game drives in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls are easier on drier tracks. The trade-off is demand. July, August and the December holidays are when permits are hardest to get, often selling out four to six months ahead. Lodges near the trailheads fill at the same time.
December to February is a popular winter escape for travellers from Europe and Canada. June to September matches summer holidays in Europe and North America. If you are coming from Australia, plan well ahead for July to September.
The low-season months: April, May and November
In its letter of 26 February 2026, UWA introduced a discounted low-season gorilla permit for April, May and November, with immediate effect. The standard rate from 1 January 2027 is $800. UWA has not yet said whether the low-season rate continues into 2027, so we confirm the rate for your month in writing before you pay.
What the low season gives you:
- Fewer trekkers and quieter lodges.
- Lush, green forest, which many photographers love.
- More flexibility with dates.
What to weigh up:
- More rain and muddier trails. A porter, at $15 to $20 paid on the day, is a real help.
- Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled, according to UWA's letter. Be sure of your dates.
- Some unpaved roads are slower after heavy rain, so we build in time.
Does the season change what you see?
Gorillas live in the forest all year, and rangers and trackers locate the families every morning, so the season does not decide whether you meet them. What changes is how long the walk might take: a trek can last from about one hour to six hours depending on where the family has moved. That is true in every month. Read how difficult is gorilla trekking to prepare.
Best month for different travellers
First-time trekkers
June to September or December to February, booked well ahead. Drier trails make the walk easier to enjoy.
Families with teenagers
School holidays fall in the busiest months, so book early. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15, with no exceptions. See our family safari guide.
Value seekers and repeat visitors
April, May or November, once we have confirmed the permit rate for your month.
Women travelling together
Our women-only Women's Circle on Wheels runs from 10 to 24 February 2027, a drier month. It costs €3,500 per person including gorilla trekking, or €3,000 with a guided nature hike in Bwindi instead.
How far ahead to book for 2027
A simple rule: the busier the month, the earlier you book. For July, August and the December holidays, start planning as soon as you know your dates, ideally four to six months ahead. For January, February, June and September, three to six months is sensible. For the quieter months, a few weeks can work, but leaving it late narrows your choice of sector and lodge.
Remember that UWA now only holds a permit once it is paid in full. Deciding early and paying early is the surest way to get the date you want. Our gorilla permit booking guide explains each step.
Packing for the season
In the drier months, a light waterproof jacket, long sleeves and good boots are enough. In the wetter months, add waterproof trousers, gaiters and a dry bag for your camera. Gardening gloves help in any month for grabbing branches on steep slopes.
Pairing gorillas with the rest of Uganda
Many travellers combine the gorilla trek with chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Those trips work all year. These packages are a good starting point for any month:
- 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Batwa and Lake Bunyonyi
- 5-Day Wildlife, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking
- 7-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Tour
For a wider view of the seasons for game drives and birding, see our best time for a Uganda safari guide. Whatever the month, pack for rain: our gorilla trekking packing list covers it.
Planning from abroad? Our country guides cover flights, currency and timing for your trip: from the USA, from the UK, from Canada, from Australia, from the Netherlands, from Germany, from Belgium and from Scandinavia.
Questions before you book? Send us a message on WhatsApp at +256 789 487 378, email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com, or use the Plan your journey form. We reply within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
For drier trails, June to September and December to February. For fewer people and a possible lower permit rate, April, May and November. There is no month when trekking stops.
Can you trek gorillas in the rainy season?
Yes. Treks run every day of the year. Bwindi is a rainforest, so pack rain gear in any month and expect muddier trails in the wetter months.
When do gorilla permits sell out?
July, August and the December to January holidays fill first, often four to six months ahead. Book three to six months ahead for any peak month.
Is the low season cheaper for gorilla trekking?
In 2026 UWA introduced a lower gorilla permit rate for April, May and November. Ask us whether it applies to your 2027 dates. Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.
Is February a good time to see gorillas?
Yes. February falls in a drier, popular period. Our women-only Women's Circle on Wheels journey runs from 10 to 24 February 2027 and includes gorilla trekking on the €3,500 option.