Best time to visit Bwindi for Gorilla trekking

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of the country – home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi is the best gorilla trekking National Park in Africa with almost half of the remaining mountain gorilla population living here. The tropical rainforest of Bwindi offer exceptional gorilla encounters all year however, some month are more preferable than others. Here is all you need to know about the Best time to visit Bwindi for Gorilla trekking

The jungles of Bwindi experience a tropical climate and therefore regular weather patterns are hard to predict, and you should expect some mist and short downpours even during the dry season. This cannot however stop you from experiencing the world’s celebrated wildlife experience – “Mountain Gorilla trekking” in Bwindi.

.

It is important to note that Uganda is one of the countries crossed by the equator and this means temperatures are generally mild and constant throughout the year. Generally, temperatures in Uganda hover at around 23°C during the day and drop to roughly 11°C at night. There is no need to worry since Uganda’s climate is one of the best for African Safaris. Usually at the higher altitude regions, temperatures are generally low compared to the low altitude regions. The rains are usually consistent all year, but considerably less intense from June to August and again between December and February.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

The Best time to visit Bwindi for Gorilla trekking is usually during the dry season. The dry season makes the trekking experience more awful as the trails become more passable, the vegetation is less thick and the weather is generally favorable for safaris in Bwindi. The dry season can also allow you to combine your gorilla trekking with other experiences in the other National Parks. This is because the dry season in Uganda generally is a perfect time for most tourist activities and experiences in most National Parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park, among others

The rainy seasons in Uganda run from March to May and then again from October to November. This is a less recommended time to visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking however, the best time for photography in the park.

The dust is settled and the lush greenery offers the best backgrounds for photography. It is important to note that during this rainy period, the forest trails can be slippery and harder to pass, there are more mosquitoes, and the misty and wet conditions may cloud some of the spectacular views. This is also a popular time to go bird watching as the rains bring migratory birds to the park.

Some lodges may be closed during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists in the country; however, many remain open and provide low-season discounts. Although the cost of a gorilla permit remains the same year-round, you’ll probably trek in smaller groups in the off-season. No matter when you visit, gorilla permits must be reserved well in advance.

Acacia Safaris is the best tour operator that will help you craft your Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. Our experience in planning gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda is surely unbeatable. We have been planning gorilla trekking safaris for over 23 years. We also offer extended tours to Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Plan your life-changing safari to Africa with us and have lifelong memories.