Best Time to Visit Uganda & Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking (2026/2027 Guide)
Knowing the best Time to Visit Uganda & Rwanda for gorilla trekking is essential in budgeting and planning a great safari. Trekking mountain gorillas is highly thought of as an experience of a lifetime, therefore understanding when to trek Mountain gorillas is very important.
However, the best time to Visit Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking is not specific, These countries can be visited all year round, with temperatures barely changing throughout the seasons. However, a Safari in Uganda & Rwanda is at its best during the two dry seasons between December and February and between June and August, when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Game spotting in national parks is also good at this time, as well as between February and March and from September through to early October when large numbers of wildlife can be seen at waterholes. Uganda is also fabulous for bird spotting all year round. Visit Uganda Wildlife Authority website for more details.
When to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: Dry vs Wet Season.
Uganda’s mountain gorillas are trekked in the tropical rain forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both located in southwestern Uganda. In Rwanda, mountain gorillas are seen in the Volcanoes National Park in the northeast of the country. Mountain gorillas in both countries are trekked all year round, but knowing the best time to travel for gorilla safaris is very helpful as each season has it’s own advantages and disadvantages.
Rwanda and Uganda are blessed with climates made up of two rainy seasons, the short one in October and November and a longer one from mid March to May. The remaining months are dry although the current variations in weather patterns make it difficult to forecast the seasons.
Peak Season: Best Time for Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.
Peak Season (Best weather): June to September and December to February are the driest, most comfortable months for trekking. These Months are of less rainfall and sometimes even no rains at all. Most travelers choose to travel during this season because of the dry weather and also because of this there is a high demand for the gorilla permits at this time. This means travelers have to book their permits well in advance and pay the total cost as permit booking fees.
Dry season is perfect for trekking mountain gorillas, the mountain gorillas are found in the temperate weathered regions with raised landscapes, this means the climate remains cool all year round – perfect weather for length treks.
Naturally mountain gorilla trekking in both season are not expensive, it only depends to the country where you choose to trek them and level of accommodation you choose. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is slightly cheaper than that of Rwanda. This allows every traveler to meet his or her budget especially travelers intending to go beyond the gorillas for different experiences, they find it cheaper to combine other attractions with gorilla trek.
Low Season: Best time to Visit Uganda and Rwanda for Budget Gorilla Tours and Safaris.
Best for Budget: March – May (heavy rains) and October – Noverber, which offer lower prices and fewer crowds. This is the best time especially for people travelling to see wildlife. Many people have enjoyed traveling to see the gorillas during the low season. During this time, gorilla trekking permits cost $600 unlike in the high season where the gorilla permit cost $800. Also, lodges usually offer discounted rates during the low season, especially in April, May, and November, which makes the trip less expensive. The low season is known for its heavy rains between the months of March, April, May, and November. This rainfall discourages many prospective travelers.
Lodge costs are more favorable during the low season than during high season, since the occupancy rate is low, and low prices are set to attract budget travelers. With the discounted lodge rates and fewer people trekking to see mountain gorillas in the low season, the few people who go enjoy more exclusive interactions with gorillas.
However, despite the advantages during this season, rains make gorilla trekking difficult. The grounds become slippery and muddy, along with the showers and droplets, making the experience uncomfortable and uninteresting for less experienced walkers.
Tips for Gorilla Trekking: Despite the rain both in Rwanda and Uganda, Gorilla trek will continue!
There has never been a whole day lost to the rain. This means that the sun shines shortly after the rain falls, enabling trekkers to continue with the activity, albeit slightly wet!
In both Uganda and Rwanda, the best time to visit mountain gorillas is from the morning hours to half a day. Gorilla Trekking is done every day, regardless of whether it’s raining or shining. For all the years that gorilla trekking has been done, no single day has ever been canceled due to bad weather.
Trekking to see Uganda’s gorillas in the low season brings you the best experience as the number of travelers is few, which makes the gorilla families less congested by visitors.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?
- Uganda gorilla trekking vs Rwanda: In Uganda, the cost of purchasing a gorilla permit is $600 for foreign non-resident visitors, while resident visitors pay $500 during the low season. During the peak season, a gorilla trekking permit costs $800, unlike in Rwanda, where the cost for a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500, valid for a day and for a maximum of one hour with gorillas.
- Accessibility: Rwanda is more convinient, with only a 2-3 hour drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, compared to 8-10 hours from Entebbe to Bwindi in Uganda.
- Trek Difficulty: Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park generally has easier, more open terrain, whereas Bwindi in Uganda is known for steeper, denser, and more challenging jungle terrain.
- Gorilla Families: Uganda holds roughly half the world’s population, offering more families and permits per day. Rwanda offers more luxurious and slightly more predictable experience.
- Other Activities: Uganda is better for combining with a wider safari (chimpanzee, game drives), while Rwanda focuses on high-end luxury, fast tracked, or short trips.
Top advice/Which is Right for You?
- Book permits early: Book your Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits atleast 6 months in advance for peak season to avoid inconvinience.
- Choose Rwanda if: You want a luxurious experience, have limited time, or prefer a shorter, less strenuous trek.
- Choose Uganda if : You are on a budget, prefer a wilder, more challenging jungle experience, and want longer safari that includes other wildlife.
We hope you are guided on when to trek gorillaas in Uganda or Rwanda for one of the most life-altering experiences you can have; mountain gorilla trekking is a once-in-lifetime experience that is a must for any bucket list, regardless of the season.