Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of Africa’s most profound and unforgettable wildlife adventures — an encounter that bridges the wild and the human in a single, silent gaze. Uganda shelters over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, living deep within the dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both nestled in the country’s southwestern highlands.

Home to over 459 gorillas, with over 21 habituated groups for trekking, Bwindi is the most popular destination for gorilla trekking in Africa, boasting four major trailheads – each with a particular number of gorilla families to trek. Mgahinga, on the other hand, offers a more personal and intimate gorilla trekking experience with one habituated gorilla family for trekking – the Nyakagezi group. Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga is no casual stroll; it’s a journey into the beating heart of nature, where tangled vines, birdsong, and distant chest-beats announce that you are in the territory of the Great Apes.

Each trek begins at dawn, and as the mist lifts, you follow the trained rangers through dense foliage in search of your allocated gorilla family, where you will have an hour to watch and observe them calmly feeding or grooming beneath the canopy. The experience is humbling, unforgettable, and deeply emotional. Yet, timing is everything; Understanding the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda helps you plan a comfortable, rewarding, and safe gorilla safari.

Uganda’s climate shifts between dry and wet seasons, and these patterns strongly shape your Uganda gorilla trekking experience. As a result, the country offers a mild, inviting climate year-round, thanks to its equatorial location and high-altitude landscapes. Days in Bwindi and Mgahinga forests are warm and humid, while nights bring a refreshing coolness. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is largely shaped by rainfall patterns; the dry seasons leave forest trails less muddy and easy to navigate, perfect for trekking gorilla families. And while the wet seasons may drench the forest, they turn it into a lush, emerald paradise, perfect for nature lovers and photographers. However, trekking becomes more challenging due to muddy and slippery paths.

Choosing the right season ensures an unforgettable adventure, making your gorilla trekking experience in Uganda safe, comfortable, and truly magical.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – Season by Season

Uganda has two dry seasons: the long dry season from June to September and the short one from December to February, and two wet seasons: the long one from March to May and the short one from October to November. Each season offers a unique trekking gorilla experience, whether you prefer dry forest trails and clear skies or solitude in a lush, rain-soaked forest.

Dry Seasons

June to September (Peak Tourism Season)

This period marks the long dry season and is the most popular time for gorilla trekking in Uganda. During this time, the skies are bright, the forest is drier, and the trails are firm and easy to navigate — perfect conditions for photography and hiking. The gorillas are easier to track because the thick vegetation in Bwindi clears slightly, offering better visibility through the forest.

During this period, Uganda experiences little rainfall, with temperatures averaging around 23 – 27°C (73 – 80°F), and because it coincides with the summer school holidays in Europe and North America, it’s also the peak season for international travelers. However, because this is peak season, demand is high: permits sell fast, lodges fill up, so booking in advance is essential.

Highlights of the Peak Tourism Season

• It offers ideal trekking conditions in the gorilla national parks and great visibility
• Excellent photography opportunities with golden morning light
• Perfect season to travel for families, honeymooners, and first-time gorilla trekkers

December to February (Short Dry Season)

The year closes and begins with another favorable window for gorilla trekking in Uganda. This short festive dry season brings warm, pleasant weather, fewer rains, and easier hiking conditions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. It is an especially good time for international travelers looking to escape the northern winter.

Because it falls within the festive holidays and Christmas season, this period feels more relaxed than the peak season (June – September, yet still vibrant. Forest trails are less muddy and still navigable, the scenery is rich and green after earlier rains, and the gorillas are highly active. Moreover, since December is particularly festive, many lodges offer special experiences during Christmas and the New Year, making your overall Uganda trekking safari merry.

Highlights

• This period offers comfortable weather and lighter crowds in Uganda’s gorilla national parks, compared to the peak tourism season.
• Boasts a lush post-rain scenery ideal for photography and birdwatching
• Also, an excellent period for holiday travelers and adventure activities such as hiking Mgahinga’s Virunga Volcanoes (Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura).

Wet Seasons

March to May (Low Tourism Season)

This period marks the long rainy season in Uganda, and it brings heavy rainfall and, therefore, more challenging trekking, but with distinct advantages. Forest trails can be muddy and slippery, making hikes more challenging, but the rewards are great. The mountain gorillas also tend to feed at lower altitudes during this time, making it easier to find them, thus shorter treks and less climbing.

This is the quietest time in Uganda’s tourism calendar, offering more or less crowds in Bwindi and Mgahinga, privacy on the trails, and discounted lodge rates. Moreover, the forest teems with life, from colorful birds and butterflies to beautiful orchids. For the adventurous traveler or photographer who loves dramatic landscapes, this season is magical in its own wild way.

Highlights of the Low Tourism Season

• Availability of discounted gorilla permits and lower rates on accommodation
• Gorilla families feed from the lower slopes, making it easier to trek them.
• Great for travelers who seek solitude, birdwatching, and nature photography.

October to November (Short Rains)

This period marks the return of light rains after the long dry spell from June to September. Rain showers usually come in the afternoon, leaving mornings in Bwindi and Mgahinga forests fresh and misty — a photographer’s dream. The vegetation thickens again, and the forests glow with emerald energy.

Gorilla trekking can be slightly tougher, but the atmosphere is enchanting, with fewer tourists, the raw beauty of the forest, and intimate gorilla encounters. Many travelers consider this season an underrated gem – not as wet as the long rainy season from March to May, and much quieter than the peak months.

Highlights

• Afternoon showers become more frequent; trails may get muddy again.
• Fewer crowds in the gorilla national parks, making encounters more intimate.
• Lodges and camps offer lower rates and discounts, while gorilla permits are somewhat easier to secure.
• Ideal for photographers chasing moody forest scenes, rich textures of mist and foliage, as well as birdwatchers looking for rare species.