1. When Is The Best Time To Visit Uganda
Uganda has 2 seasons, the wet and dry seasons or what you would call the rainy and sunny seasons. But since the country straddles the Equator, you can expect all-year-round good weather that is ok for safaris.
However, the best time to visit Uganda is in the drier months of June to September and December to February if you want to enjoy wildlife without worrying about being disrupted by heavy rains and mud.
You also have to note that this is Uganda’s peak season which means that prices can go a little higher and you’ll run into a number of tourists compared to other months.
But do not let this shun you away from visiting, Uganda hasn’t suffered from mass tourism which means that you won’t be competing for space with other tourists even during the peak season.
However, during the wetter months of March to May and October to November, which is the low season, the prices of accommodation and some activities like Gorilla trekking get subsidized making it a good time for those who want to travel for cheap.
So in my opinion, taking into account the weather, activities, and prices, the best time to go to Uganda is in the drier months of June to September or December to February.
This is simply because you won’t lose any time because of rain and wildlife viewing is at its best.
To give you a better understanding of Uganda’s weather all year round, here is a chart showcasing both the average temperatures and rain throughout the year.
2. What Are The Best Places To Visit In Uganda?
Uganda might be small in size, but this little gem has a lot to offer. From breathtaking landscapes, and amazing wildlife to interesting and various cultural sites, there are a number of places to visit in Uganda.
On top of enjoying incredible game drives and the various National parks, a visit to Uganda will help you see the source of one of the 7 natural wonders of Africa, The River Nile.
I will not be going into details about the places to visit in Uganda but rather the summary.
But if you what to check out the details, you can read my post about the best places to visit in Uganda. Below are some of the places you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park for Gorilla tracking
Queen Elizabeth National park for an amazing safari
Murchison falls National park to see the glorious Murchison falls
Jinja to see the Source of the Nile
Lake Victoria
Kibaale National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking
Lake Bunyonyi
Mt. Elgon – check out the guide to climbing Mt. Elgon
Kampala – check out the best things to do in Kampala
Mt. Rwenzori and so many others
3. Should You Hire A Tour Company Or Not
This is a hard one to answer but I’ll do my best. Uganda is one of those countries where you can travel independently without any problems.
But since national parks are scattered in far places of the country with no direct means of public transport, you might hit a roadblock but this does not mean that it’s totally undoable and not to mention that it’s cheaper.
On the flip side, hiring a tour company or a travel agent will relieve you from all the stress of making research, and booking stuff but rather just sit back and let the tour company handle everything for you. But this also doesn’t come cheap.
So my advice is that if you’re a backpacker that travels on a budget, do not hire a tour company but rather plan your trip independently and rent a car if needed.
It’s totally doable and I hope that these travel tips to Uganda help you during your planning process. But if you can afford it, then hiring a tour company is worth it.
