The Peak season lasts from late April through the fall, with July through September being the most popular sportfishing months. Spring and summer are when the warmer southern waters push north.

Travel in Uganda is possible throughout the year, but the dry months are considered the best time to travel to the country. These months are also best for gorilla trekking. Although Uganda’s climate can be generally described as tropical, it still differs in different parts of the country, and the temperatures in the higher regions of Mount Elgon and the Ruwenzori Range can drop well below freezing.

In most regions of Uganda, you can expect an average of 1,000 to 2,000 millimeters of rainfall, but the rainy season and its duration may vary within the different regions. In general, it can be said that long rains occur from April to June and shorter rainfall can be expected between October and December. During this time it seldom rains all day and brief, strong showers are followed by mostly sunny weather. In the Lake Victoria basin, higher humidity with showers almost all year round can be expected due to the high water evaporation of up to 75-80%. Humidity is significantly lower in the remaining part of the country. The dry season lasts from June to October and from December to March.

Note the seasons for when planning your Uganda trip:

Long wet season: April – June

Short rainy season: October – December

Drying time: June – October, December – March.

What to Pack

Safari wear should be comfortable and casual. Evenings and early mornings can be chilly so warm sweaters are recommended. Flat, comfortable sports or trekking shoes are most suitable for walking should you intend to join any walking safaris. We recommend you bring warm clothes, including a fleece or a light woolen sweater and socks, apart from typical safari gear. During the day it can get quite hot, so don’t forget your sunglasses and a high SPF sunscreen, as well as a sun hat with a small brim. Some specialist trips, i.e. mountain climbing, require extra items of clothing and footwear. Many hotels, lodges and camps have swimming pools so you are advised to bring swimsuits. Due to limited space in the vehicle and in light aircraft, we advise you to keep your luggage to the minimum. We suggest you pack your luggage into a small bag of no more than 15 kgs – the luggage limit for local flights issued by the airlines. Almost all safari lodges and camps provide same-day laundry service.