Best time to
visit Uganda

Uganda is a year-round destination with no migratory wildlife, enabling game drives to happen throughout the year. Because the country lies directly on the equator, its calendar does not follow four seasonal changes. Peak season in Uganda is from June to September, which is often considered to be one of the best times to visit. Uganda hasn't yet been hit by mass tourism, so even during peak season, you shouldn't find too many crowds. That said, if you plan on gorilla trekking we still advise you to book well in advance.

Did you know?

Around ¼ of Uganda's land surface is made up of rivers and lakes.

lakes and small traditional boats in Uganda next to green vegetation

gorilla holding baby gorilla and eating fruit in Uganda

The weather
in Uganda

Even though Uganda doesn't follow four seasonal changes, there are wetter and drier months throughout the year. Uganda receives the most rainfall from March to May, making trekking particularly muddy and treacherous. Wildlife can still be seen, but as animals hide amongst the thick vegetation, they become much harder to spot. No matter what time of year you visit, the temperatures all over Uganda considerably drop at night, so make sure you pack enough warm clothes for the evenings.

October to November is the second wettest time of the year. While this might put you off, it can be an excellent time for gorilla trekking as permits can be found much cheaper. That said, make sure you bring waterproofs!

Best time for gorilla
trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can happen at any time of the year, however the dense, misty forest will always be a little wet so don't forget your waterproofs. During the rainiest months (March-May & October-November), gorilla trekking permits can often be bought for a fraction of the standard price. You can still see gorillas lurking in the misty forests, however, your trek will probably be a little slower and slippier. The best times to go gorilla trekking in Uganda are from January to February, or June to September.

Read more about gorilla trekking

mountain gorilla in uganda walking in the jungle

Four seasons in Uganda

Autumn

March-May

The autumn months are the wettest in Uganda. While this may not be the best time for sightseeing, wildlife can be seen all year round. Gorilla trekking permits and accommodation are also often at their cheapest. This is an excellent time to visit Murchison Falls as the northeast of Uganda has a much drier climate during the rainy season.

Winter

June - August

Winter is Uganda's peak season and its busiest time of the year. The weather is generally dry and warm every day. We advise you to book well in advance if you are planning to travel at this time of the year as winter is often seen as the best time for wildlife viewing.

Spring

September - November

Spring is low season in Uganda due to the heavy rainfall in October and November. However, the scenery is spectacular at this time of the year and there is still an excellent chance of spotting wildlife, especially newborns. The savannahs are a lush green and prices are generally lower.

Summer

December - February

Summer is another fantastic time to visit Uganda. The weather tends to be mostly dry from the middle of December onwards. Wildlife viewing is particularly successful as the dry weather lures wildlife out of the vegetation into the open watering holes - perfect for game drives and boat safaris. Summer is also an excellent time for bird watching.

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Festivals & events
in Uganda

Uganda has an exceptionally vibrant culture and attending events and festivals throughout the year is an excellent way to experience it. The Ugandan calendar is packed with music, art and cultural events, with a party seemingly happening almost every weekend. Maybe you want to plan your holiday around one of these festivals? Or perhaps you want to avoid the crowds altogether? Either way, it bodes well to know the dates that the countries most significant events fall on. Here's our pick of some of the best festivals and events in Uganda.

Bayimba International

Festival of Music & Arts

Lunkulu Island

(August)

Undoubtedly one of Uganda's most popular events, the Bayimba International Festival of Music & Arts spans over four days. The focus of the event is on fine art, however, you'll find various performances, stalls, and shows of music, dance, poetry, acrobatics, theatre and film.

two uganan people performing music and dance for bayimba international festival of music and arts in uganda

Festival on the Nile

Jinja

(End of Jan-Feb)

The Festival on the Nile celebrates the diverse cultures of the people living along the River Nile. You'll find music, dance and theatre performances as well as traditional storytelling and lots of delicious local food to try. There's also a street parade showcasing traditional tribal dress.

B-Global Indigenous

Hip-Hop Festival

Kampala

(End of September)

This six-day event is an educational celebration of hip-hop in Uganda. The festival was created to celebrate and preserve hip-hop in this country and use the music to empower and educate Uganda's youth. Expect hip-hop workshops, DJ scratching demonstrations, dance battles, graffiti displays, fashion shows and motivational speakers.

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Nile Gold Jazz Safari

Kampala

(October)

The Nile Gold Jazz Safari is Uganda's annual celebration of all things Jazz. Jazz musicians travel from all over the world to perform in Kampala, attracting both locals and tourists to the area each year. You'll also hear a fair bit of funk, RnB and rock too. Performers change each year, but you can be guaranteed to hear some fantastic music.

This is Uganda

Kampala

(December)

'This is Uganda' is an annual festival which celebrates the diverse cultures found throughout the country. There's a heavy influence of female artists, and lots of performances of dance, poetry and music. There's also a chilled lounging area for some quiet time, drinking and socializing.

group of people playing traditional african drums at this is uganda festival in uganda

Nyege Nyege Festival

Jinja

(September)

This four-day international music festival is a giant party celebrating peace, joy and respect. It's a place where underground musicians emerge to showcase new music, productions and collaborations. Find DJs, singers, bands and entertainers gracing the stages of the Nile Discovery Beach in this four-day epic party.

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people at a music festival watching a concert at nyege nyege festival in jinja uganda

Rolex Festival

Kampala

(August)

A rolex is a popular street food in Uganda, made by combining chapati and eggs. This festival celebrates this adored food and has turned into one of the biggest events of the year. Restaurants from all over showcase their versions of the famous dish alongside live entertainment, games and performances.

Ekyooto cultural festival

Kampala

(9-11th August)

Uganda's international culture festival attracts hordes in the thousands and spans across three days. Celebrate Uganda's diverse culture through workshops, traditional storytelling and musical performances. This is the perfect place to learn about the traditions, cuisine, history, fashion and dances of Uganda.