Best Time to See Gorillas in Uganda in 2027

Written by the Paramount Gorilla Expeditions team, based in Uganda, on the best time to see gorillas in Uganda.

Gorilla Trekking in 2027

The two dry seasons come round every year, so the months below apply to 2027. Permits for the dry months go first, so fix your dates early.

The best time to see gorillas in Uganda is during the two dry seasons, June to September and December to February. The forest trails are drier, the slopes are easier to climb and the trek is more comfortable. But the gorillas live in the forest all year and do not migrate, so treks run in every month, and the wetter months of March to May and October to November bring fewer visitors and a greener forest.

That means "best" depends on what matters most to you: comfort underfoot, a quieter forest, or flexibility on dates. This guide explains what each season is really like so you can choose with confidence.

Why you can trek gorillas in Uganda all year

Unlike the Serengeti wildebeest, mountain gorillas do not travel long distances in a seasonal cycle. Each habituated family stays within its own forest range in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and trackers go out every morning to find where the family spent the night. Permits are sold for every day of the year.

The season therefore changes the experience of getting to the gorillas, not whether you will see them. Gorillas also keep to their own routine in the rain: a family may simply shelter under the forest canopy until a shower passes.

The dry seasons: June to September and December to February

These are the most popular months, and for good reason.

• Drier, firmer trails. Bwindi is a steep rainforest, and dry ground makes the climbs and descents noticeably easier.
• Easier travel. Roads and tracks to the trekking sectors are in their best condition.
• More comfortable for most travellers. If this is your first trek, or you are travelling with older family members, the dry months are the gentler choice.

The trade-off is demand. Permits and lodges for these months are the first to sell out, and the forest is at its busiest. If your dates fall in the dry seasons, book your gorilla permit as soon as your dates are fixed.

The wetter seasons: March to May and October to November

The rains are heavier in April and May, and again from October to November, although rain can fall in a rainforest at any time of year.

• Fewer visitors. The forest is quieter and permits are usually easier to find at shorter notice.
• A greener, fresher forest. Many travellers find the rain-washed forest the most beautiful.
• Possible savings. Uganda has reported a lower permit rate of about $600 in April, May and November, compared with $800 in the rest of the year. Rates are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can change, so we confirm the current figure for your dates.

The honest downsides are mud, slippery slopes and slower going. You will need a waterproof jacket, good boots and gloves, and we recommend hiring a porter, which also supports a local family. The journey by road can also take longer after heavy rain.

Best time to see gorillas in Uganda, month by month

• January and February: dry, with the dry season tapering off through February.
• March: the rains begin to build.
• April and May: the wettest months, with the quietest forest.
• June to September: the main dry season and the busiest months for permits.
• October and November: the rains return, strongest in November.
• December: drier again, and busy over the festive season.

Weather in the mountains is never perfectly predictable, so treat these as patterns rather than promises.

How to choose the best time to see gorillas in Uganda

• You want the easiest trek: choose June to September, or January to February.
• You want a quieter forest and may save on the permit: look at April, May or November, and pack for rain.
• You are combining gorillas with savanna parks: game viewing in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls is generally easier in the drier months, which is one more reason the dry seasons suit combined trips.
• Your dates are fixed by school holidays or work: you can still trek. Tell us your dates and we will plan around the weather.

What to do next

Once you have a rough month in mind, the next step is the permit, because that is the part that sells out. Our guide to how and when to book gorilla permits explains the timing, and the permit cost comparison shows what you will pay in Uganda and Rwanda. If you are unsure how fit you need to be, read how fit you need to be for gorilla trekking.

For a ready-made plan, see our 6-day Classic Gorilla Trekking Safari or the 8-day Uganda Primates safari, or read the full Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda guide. Every trip is tailor-made, so tell us your dates and we will suggest the best way to fit them around the seasons.

See also: Uganda Birding & Gorilla Safari.

Plan the best time to see gorillas in Uganda

Keep planning with our Uganda safari destination guide. Gorilla and park permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the Uganda Tourism Board publishes official visitor information. We confirm the current fees for your dates in every quote.

For the conservation story behind the permits, read how many mountain gorillas are left.

Planning around the season? See our best lodges in Bwindi for where to stay.

For a longer time with a shy family, read our gorilla habituation experience guide.

For the months with a lower permit price, see our Uganda gorilla permit discount guide.