Written by the Paramount Gorilla Expeditions team, based in Uganda, on the green season safari and why the off-season can be worth it.
The green season, roughly November and April to May across much of East Africa, is often called the off-season, but that label undersells it. Landscapes are lush, birdlife is at its richest, many animals have young, and camps are often priced below their busiest months. The trade-offs are real, and this guide names them honestly.
What you gain on a green season safari
- Lower prices. Many camps reduce their rates outside the peak months, though how much varies by property, so we confirm exact prices in your quote.
- Fewer vehicles. You may have a sighting to yourself that would draw many vehicles in August.
- Lush scenery and dramatic skies, which photographers love.
- Birding. Migrant birds overlap with residents. See birding in East Africa.
- A lower gorilla permit rate of about $600 has been reported in Uganda for April, May and November, which we confirm before you book.
The trade-offs
- Some tracks can become muddy or impassable after heavy rain.
- A few camps close for refurbishment in the wettest weeks.
- Taller grass can make distant game harder to see.
- Forest treks are muddier and slower.
Predators are still active, and wildlife still gathers near rivers and swamps.
Green season months at a glance
- April and May: the long rains. The lowest prices and fewest vehicles, but the most mud, and some camps close for a few weeks.
- November: the short rains, usually brief showers. A good-value month with lush scenery.
- Early March and early June: shoulder weeks either side of the long rains, often a sensible compromise.
For gorilla trekking, the green season means muddier, slower forest trails, so hiring a porter is especially worthwhile. See gorilla trekking fitness.
Who a green season safari suits
- Repeat visitors who want a different experience from a classic dry-season trip.
- Photographers who prefer dramatic skies and green backdrops over dust.
- Travellers who want better camps for the same budget.
Our advice
We steer first-time visitors towards the dry season and repeat visitors towards the green season, but neither is a compromise on wildlife. See safari weather 101, the best time to visit Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for details by country, and what a safari costs.
Plan a green season safari
Official park fees are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Kenya Wildlife Service, TANAPA and the Rwanda Development Board. We confirm the current fees for your dates in every quote.
For lodges in the quieter months, see our best lodges in Bwindi.
For the gorilla permit saving in the green months, see our Uganda gorilla permit discount guide.