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From Kigali: 1-Day Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
1 day
Full price per person$1,200Apr · May · Nov$1,000 with a $600 permit
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Month-by-month guide · 5 sections
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Month by Month
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is the drier season, June to August and December to February, when trails are firmer: near Kisoro, July averages 38 mm of rain on 7 days. April, May and November are the wettest — April averages 173 mm on 23 days — but permits cost $600 instead of $800 in 2026. Gorillas can be trekked all year.
Updated Oct 2026 · Prices checked Oct 2026
Jun–Augdriest months
Dec–Febthe second, shorter dry spell
38 mmJuly rain near Kisoro, 7 days
173 mmApril rain, 23 days
$600permit in Apr, May, Nov 2026
22–23 °Cdaytime, lows 9–11 °C
0112 months
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda at a Glance
Uganda has two wetter and two drier seasons. Rain falls in every month, but the trail and the price change a lot.
Drier seasonWetter season$600Low-season permitBars: rain in mm · number: rainy days
Swipe for all 12 months → · tap a month for details
Selected monthJanuaryDrier season
Short dry spell after the December rains; holiday crowds thin out mid-month.
Tip Good trails; book a few months ahead.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthFebruaryDrier season
Still in the drier spell, with showers becoming more frequent late in the month.
Tip A good alternative to peak summer.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthMarchWetter season
The long rains begin; trails get muddy and permits are easier to find.
Tip Full price permit, wetter trails — April is cheaper.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthAprilWetter season
The wettest month near Kisoro. Permits cost $600 and can’t be rescheduled.
Tip Cheapest month — pack gaiters and a good rain jacket.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthMayWetter season
Rains ease through the month; the $600 permit still applies.
Tip Late May: low price, slightly drier.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthJuneDrier season
The dry season starts; firmer trails and demand rises fast.
Tip Book 3–10 months ahead.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthJulyDrier season
The driest month near Kisoro — about 7 rainy days. The busiest time of year.
Tip Best trail conditions; book the permit first.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthAugustDrier season
Still dry, with more showers towards the end of the month.
Tip Peak demand continues — book early.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthSeptemberWetter season
The short rains return. In Rwanda, the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony falls in early September (4 Sep in 2026).
Tip Combine with Rwanda for Kwita Izina.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthOctoberWetter season
Wet, with about 20 rainy days; operators still count it as busy.
Tip Full price — consider November instead.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthNovemberWetter season
One of the wettest months, and the last $600 month of the year.
Tip Cheapest month of the autumn.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Selected monthDecemberDrier season
Rains ease into the second dry spell; Christmas and New Year make it busy.
Tip Book early for the holidays.
Daytime 22–23 °C and early-morning lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro in every month; colder at night in Ruhija.
Rain: Kisoro monthly averages (mm, rainy days), weather2travel · seasons: SafariBookings · permit: Uganda Wildlife Authority 2026 rates · “Busy” reflects when operators say permits sell out first
02Four seasons
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda by Month
Best conditionsJune–August
The driest stretch: July averages 7 rainy days. Firmer, less slippery trails — and the busiest months, so permits go first.
Book 3–10 months ahead.Wet, then cheapSeptember–November
Rain builds through October; November is one of the wettest months but has the $600 permit.
November: cheapest permit of the autumn.Second dry spellDecember–February
Drier than the wet seasons but with more rainy days than June–August; holidays make December–January busy.
Good for Christmas trips; book early.WettestMarch–May
April is the wettest month near Kisoro. Muddy slopes, fewer visitors, and $600 permits in April and May.
Best for budget and quiet trails.03Save $200
Low-Season Deals: Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda on a Budget
Three months bring the gorilla permit down by $200 — the biggest saving you can make on the trip.
Dry season$800
- June–August, December–February
- Firmer trails, more sun
- Peak demand — book far ahead
- Permits can be rescheduled (with a fee)
Low season$600
- April, May, November 2026
- Rain on most days, muddy slopes
- Quieter lodges and trails
- Low-season permits can’t be rescheduled at all
Low-season permits for foreign residents cost $500. The standard permit stays $800 in 2027.Permit rules and refunds →
04Runs all year
Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda for Any Month, Best Time or Not
Any of these runs year-round; in April, May and November ask the operator whether the permit inside the price drops to $600.
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From Kigali: 2-Day Gorilla Trek in Bwindi
2 days
Full price per person$1,298Apr · May · Nov$1,098 with a $600 permit
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PERMIT INCLUDED
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Forest and Shoebill
3 days
Full price per person$2,200Apr · May · NovAsk about the low-season price
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056 answers
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda FAQ
When is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
June to August and December to February — the drier months, with firmer trails. Gorilla trekking runs every day of the year.
Can you trek in the rainy season?
Yes. Treks go ahead in rain; trails are muddier and you’ll want gaiters, gloves and a good rain jacket.
Which months have discounted permits?
April, May and November 2026: $600 for foreign non-residents and $500 for residents. These permits can’t be rescheduled.
When do permits sell out?
June–October and December–February go first; operators advise booking 3–10 months ahead for those months.
Is it cold in Bwindi?
Mornings and nights are: lows of 9–11 °C near Kisoro, colder in Ruhija. Days reach about 22–23 °C.
Is December a good month?
Yes, with caveats: it’s drier than the wet seasons but averages 19 rainy days near Kisoro, and holidays make it busy.
Sources: weather2travel (Kisoro climate averages) · SafariBookings · Uganda Wildlife Authority · operator guides
Keep planning
More gorilla trekking Uganda pages
$600 permits in April, May and November
Trekking runs every month — pick dry trails or the lower permit price.
Live availability
Check Dates for the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Prices and dates come straight from GetYourGuide.