Uganda is a fantastic destination all year round. But depending on what you plan to do – like safari drives or gorilla trekking – some months offer better weather conditions than others. Uganda lies on the Equator and has a warm subtropical climate. Daytime temperatures average between 25 and 29°C (77 and 84°F). Night-time temperatures frequently drop below 20°C (68ºF), offering a nice reprieve on hot days. Humidity is pretty much always high.

The general consensus is that it’s best to visit Uganda during one of the two dry seasons. The short dry season is roughly from December to February (or early March). The long dry season is roughly from June to September. Given its subtropical climate and position on the Equator, however, it might be more accurate to talk about Uganda’s drier seasons.

The drier seasons in Uganda are December to February and June to August. These are good months to visit to avoid the rains. December to February is very hot, however, so June to September is the best time for dry weather and cooler days.

The eastern portion of the country is a little drier than the rest. This area doesn’t tend to be visited quite as much by tourists, though it has many gems to offer like impressive game parks, Sipi Falls, coffee farms, and Mt Elgon National Park.

The south-western border region is mountainous and covered in misty jungle. Notably you have Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Virunga Mountains, and the Rwenzori Mountains. Bwindi is one of the places where you can go gorilla trekking, and we discuss the best time for this below. The Virunga’s consist of a chain of free-standing volcanic mountains and also has mountain gorillas.

Jinja is a town in southern Uganda on the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. The Victoria Nile flows out of Lake Victoria alongside Jinja and is considered by many to be the start of the Nile. There’s a garden in Coronation Park marking the start of the Nile that you can visit. Jinja has become the adventure capital of Uganda.

The period from June to August offers the most comfortable weather in Jinja. But if you really don’t like heat, then maybe opt to visit between April and December. January to early March is the hottest months, with temperatures reaching around 29ºC in the middle of the day. But mid-December to February are the driest months, so that’s when you’re least likely to experience rainy days.

You can go gorilla trekking in Uganda at any time of the year. Permits are sold for gorilla trekking in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park all year round. That said, gorilla trekking in Uganda’s wet seasons can be a very muddy and slippery experience, so maybe opt for one of the dry seasons if possible.

The best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking is from mid-December to early February or from June to September.

It’s worth pointing out that the forests where mountain gorillas live are never actually dry, even in the so-called dry season. Both Bwindi and Mgahinga experience rain and mist to some degree throughout the year, and they’re always wet. They’re rain forests, after all. So, know that whenever you go gorilla trekking, it will be a muddy experience. You’ll want to bring quality trekking boots and maybe even gaiters.

The very best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking (June to early September) coincides with the school holidays of the Northern Hemisphere. Note that if you want to go gorilla trekking during these peak seasons, you need to book well ahead of time to ensure you get a permit date that fits in with your travel plans.

The best time to visit Uganda for chimpanzee trekking is, conveniently, the same as the best time for gorilla trekking: December to February, and June to September. The best times for chimpanzee trekking are the dry seasons, which are December to February, and June to September. As you’ll be walking in forest, the dry seasons mean a less slippery walk. You’re also less likely to have a rainy day.

Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda is arguably the country’s best reserve. That’s what all Ugandans think, at least, and one should always listen to locals!

Kidepo is an enormous park that has varied scenery and a high density of animals. One of the reasons for its flourishing wildlife populations is that the local people defended them in the past from poachers.

July and August are the very best months for seeing as many animals as possible in Kidepo Valley National Park.

June and July are arguably the best months for safari as the days are cooler and animals become easier to spot. As always, the best time to go on safari depends on what you most want to see. Generally speaking, the dry months are lauded as the best, as that’s when you’re likely to see the most animals.

The best season to visit Tanzania is during the long dry season, which falls from July to September. These are considered the best months for safaris, the Great Migration, trekking, and beach holidays in Zanzibar. Of course, these months are peak travel season.

Tanzania has two distinct rainy seasons: April to May (the ‘long rains’) and November to December (the ‘short rains’). Generally, the country’s ‘long rains’ produce tropical downpours in the afternoons and some safari camps may close. The ‘short rains’ bring about the occasional brief shower.

Most safari areas in Tanzania enjoy warm days and cool evenings year-round. While temperatures drop to below freezing on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the country’s Indian Ocean coast and lakeside regions are hot and humid.

The best time for a Tanzania safari will depend on where you want to go and what you want to see. For first-time safari goers, the best time to go to Tanzania is usually during the dry season, as wildlife is easier to track and spot. Whether you’re visiting Tanzania for the first time, understanding the difference between the safari high season vs low season is a great place to start.

The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the river crossings cannot be predicted, although they generally occur between May and September. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day!

If it’s a tropical beach holiday that you’re after, January is one of the best times to visit Tanzania’s coast. Experiencing Zanzibar for a vacation consists of powder-soft sand beaches, azure waters, and total relaxation. For the Wildebeest Migration, the first month of the year usually sees the herds move into the southern Serengeti to give birth to their calves.

It’s hot and humid during February, and it’s the start of calving season when thousands of wildebeest give birth to their young and predators lie in wait. Approximately 500,000 wildebeest calves are born during this period. The plains are full of new life, taking their first teetering steps.

It’s extremely hot in Tanzania in March, early in the month it tends to be dry, although the ‘long rains’ have in previous years come early. The landscape turns an otherworldly green which is a strong contrast to the brown texture of the terrain over the summer months. The Ngorongoro Highlands receives short and sharp rainfall in the late afternoon, leaving the mornings pleasant. March is also considered a prime month to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro.

April is by far the wettest month of the year and while the rains predominantly come in the form of afternoon thundershowers, it’s not unusual to have big storms at night, as well as plenty of grey days. The western and southern parks have the highest humidity of the year, but accommodations and Tanzania tours offer great value for money if you choose to travel during this time.

The beginning of May is still very wet, but things do start to dry out towards the end of the month as June welcomes in the dry season. During this month, the Great Migration is trekking from the southern Serengeti to the western corridor.

June is dry, busy and is considered the best time of year to visit for Tanzania luxury safaris. The rains have come to an end, the savannahs are starting to change from green to yellow, and wildlife sightings improve as the vegetation slowly recedes. The Wildebeest Migration may have stopped at the Grumeti River, building up numbers before they attempt their death-defying crossings.

July is when peak safari season is in full swing and is the best time to travel to Tanzania for ideal weather and excellent game drive opportunities, as well as pairing up a Kenya and Tanzania safari.  The Great Migration should have reached the northern parts of the Serengeti, getting ready for its main event: crossing the treacherous waters of the Mara River into Kenya. Read more to find out about a Kenya vs Tanzania safari.

August is still considered peak season with tourist crowds flocking to the northern safari circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti) and Zanzibar. Wildlife viewing is sensational, and the herds of the Great Migration should have started to cross the Mara River.

In September, tourist crowds begin to dissipate and there is still no rain, meaning humidity levels are low bringing fewer mosquitoes. September is another prime month for hikers wanting to conquer Kilimanjaro and for those in search of high numbers of elephants; the Tarangire National Park is where you will find them en masse. Plus, this month is the start of the fishing season in Tanzania’s great lake regions.

October sees the building of thunderclouds and the arrival of the first rains. Mahale Mountains National Park during this month is the best time to travel to Tanzania for chimpanzee encounters, and Lake Tanganyika is at its warmest. If you want to climb Mount Meru, this is the best month to visit Arusha National Park.

November is possibly one of the most underrated months for a safari in Tanzania. There will be rain, but it’s usually only periodic thundershowers in the afternoon. The northern parks of Tanzania are generally great for game viewing year-round, and this month is a good time to discover some off-the-beaten track destinations.

December falls in the middle of the ‘short rains and the beginning of the month is usually quiet compared to the two weeks over Christmas and New Year. December is the perfect month for bird watching as the migratory birds start to arrive – particularly in the Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks. The Great Migration has returned to the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. It’s the ideal time for a Serengeti Safari in Tanzania witnessing feasting in preparation to calve and bringing new life on their year-round circular journey.