When Is the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda?
Best Time to Visit Gorilla Tours in Uganda: Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year round, but the country experiences two distinct climate patterns: dry seasons and wet seasons. The best recommended time for gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. During these months, the forest trails are far less slippery, making the trek easier and more enjoyable. Many tourists who go on gorilla safaris in Uganda do so during the dry season, particularly around Christmas time, due to the minimal rains experienced at this time of the year.
Climate of Uganda
The climate of Uganda is tropical and warm because of the minimal rainfall and small changes in temperatures throughout the seasons. Average temperatures range between 25°C and 29°C, dropping to a minimum of around 12°C in higher altitudes. The country receives annual rainfall of between 1,000 and 2,000 millimetres. For gorilla trekkers, the key takeaway is that the dry months offer the most comfortable conditions for hiking through dense rainforest.
Where Gorilla Trekking Takes Place in Uganda
Uganda gorilla tours are conducted in two protected national parks, both located in southwestern Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi is particularly famous because it is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.
In fact, mountain gorillas can only be seen in three countries worldwide: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Rwanda, they are found in Volcanoes National Park. In Congo, visitors can track them in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi‑Biega National Park (the latter is home to eastern lowland gorillas, not mountain gorillas).
Advantages of Visiting During Peak Season (Dry Months)
The peak season for gorilla trekking runs from June to September and December to February. These months are the perfect time to navigate the forest trails of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The paths are drier, the vegetation is less muddy, and the overall trekking experience is more pleasant.
However, there is a downside: gorilla permits are in high demand during peak season. Only 80 permits are available each day across all gorilla groups in Uganda. Therefore, travellers should book their gorilla permits well in advance, sometimes several months ahead, before arriving for a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda.
Visiting During Low Season (Rainy Months)
Travellers can still visit Bwindi National Park during the rainy season for gorilla trekking. The low season, March to May and September to November (note that November overlaps with the tail end of the dry season, but it is typically considered a low‑season month for discounts), has its own advantages. One of the biggest benefits is the availability of permits.
Unlike the dry season, permits are often available even at the last minute. Additionally, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced discounted low‑season rates for gorilla permits. Visitors who choose to trek during the rainy months should come prepared with the right essentials, including waterproof gear and sturdy boots, because the trails can be muddy and slippery.
How Much Does a Gorilla Permit Cost?
Standard gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $800 per person for non‑foreign visitors (often referred to as “foreign non‑residents”), $700 for foreign residents, $500 for the rest of Africa, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens.
During the low season, the Uganda Wildlife Authority offers discounted rates applicable in the months of April, May, and November. Low‑season permits cost $600 for non‑foreign visitors and $500 for foreign residents.
For those seeking a deeper experience, gorilla habituation is also available in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector. Habituation allows visitors to spend up to four hours with gorillas that are still being acclimatised to human presence. The current habituation permit costs $1,500 for non‑foreign visitors.
Important note: The Uganda Wildlife Authority has announced new rates for gorilla habituation that will take effect from 1st January 2027. The new costs will be $1,800 for non‑foreign visitors, $1,600 for foreign residents, and $1,000 for the rest of Africa. Travellers planning a habituation experience from 2027 onwards should budget accordingly. It is strongly recommended to book all gorilla permits through a reputable tour operator to ensure validity and proper planning.
Essential Items to Pack for a Gorilla Tour
Visitors should carry several useful items on a gorilla trek. These include a waterproof day pack, long‑sleeved trousers and shirts, rubber hiking boots (or sturdy waterproof boots), thick stockings, warm clothes for early mornings, garden gloves (to protect hands from stinging nettles), energy snacks, bottled water, a hat, sunscreen, rain gear, and a camera with fully charged batteries and no flash.
Accommodation Near the Gorilla Parks
Both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offer a wide range of lodges and hotels with good amenities. The choices include luxurious campgrounds (Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge), mid-range establishments (Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge and Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge), and budget-friendly places (basic camping grounds and guest houses). The cost depends on the traveller’s financial situation and their preference for comfort. Most lodges can arrange transfers and permit logistics.
How to Get to the Gorilla Parks
Gorillas can be found at both of these locations in southern Uganda. The road trip from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mount Mgahinga National Park is approximately eight to nine hours by vehicle. Most visitors spend a night en route in either Mbarara or Kabale.
Alternatively, visitors can choose to fly from Entebbe International Airport using Aero Link Uganda or other domestic carriers. For Bwindi National Park, the nearest airstrip is Kihihi Airstrip. For Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kisoro Airstrip is the best option. Flight time is roughly one hour and fifteen minutes. From the airstrip, a safari vehicle transfers guests to their lodge.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best time to visit gorilla tours in Uganda depends on a traveller’s priorities. For the easiest trekking conditions and the highest chance of dry trails, the dry seasons of June to September and December to February are ideal. For budget‑conscious visitors or those who prefer fewer crowds, the low season months of April, May, and November offer discounted permits and greater availability, as long as visitors come prepared for rain. Either way, tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda’s misty forests is a life‑changing experience that stays with a traveller forever. The time to book is now.
