Uganda and Rwanda sit on the equator, and they do not have four seasons. They have two dry spells and two rainy ones, and none of them is a bad time to travel. They simply suit different trips.
The long dry season, June to September
This is the busiest and most reliable time. Trails are firmer, game drives are easier and the grass is shorter, so animals are easier to spot. Gorilla permits sell out early, so book well ahead. We would choose this window for a first safari with young children or for a trip built around savannah wildlife.
The short dry season, December to February
Warm, clear and a little cooler in the highlands at night. It is a lovely time for gorillas and chimpanzees, and for Murchison and Queen Elizabeth. Christmas and the New Year are busy, so plan early.
The rains, March to May
These are the heaviest rains of the year, and some roads and trails turn slippery. In return you get green hills, fewer visitors and easier access to permits and lodges. Gorillas and chimpanzees are still found every day, and the light for photography can be spectacular after a storm.
The short rains, October and November
Showers are usually brief and fall in the afternoon. It is a good month for birds, with migrants still in the country, and for quiet lodges at friendly rates.
Our own pick
If you can choose, aim for January and February, or June to September. If you cannot, travel when you can. Pack a rain jacket in any month and the forest will do the rest. Tell us your dates, and we will say plainly what to expect and where to go.
Read our guides to Uganda and Rwanda, see sample safaris or tell us your dates.