What Time Of Year Is Best For Gorilla Trekking?

The climate, gorilla trekking conditions, and tourism seasons are more or less the same in both Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla-trekking is a year-round activity, but there are some important considerations when timing your trip.

Here's our run-down on the best time of year to go gorilla trekking:

The climate and trekking conditions are more or less the same in both Rwanda and Uganda.

The overall best weather is during the two dry seasons, which run from June-September, and December-February. You can still expect some rain during these periods, but conditions are generally more comfortable and the trails less muddy.

Of the two, June-September are the driest; with light showers during December-February.

The rainy seasons, from March-May and September-November, can be very soggy. March-May brings the heaviest rains, and the going can be tough – especially in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is generally steeper, muddier and more dense than in Rwanda.

That said, gorilla tourism remains open year-round. It will be much quieter during the rainy/off season and you might find some good deals. A pro tip is to time your visit for the “shoulder” period either side of the rainy season, when prices are lower, crowds are lighter and the rains might be easing off.

Permits and accommodation during the peak summer months of June-August sell out a long way in advance. If you’re set on visiting during the peak months you may need to book at least a year in advance.

Since you’re going all the way to East Africa, you’re hopefully also making time for the rest of the region:

July-August is normally peak wildebeest river crossing season in neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, when the herd makes its epic (and dangerous) crossings of the Mara River.

December is the main Mt Kilimanjaro climbing season in neighbouring Tanzania.

In Rwanda, the annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony takes place every September. A more solemn occasion is Kwibuka, a series of events held in April in commemoration of the 1994 genocide. Visitors are welcome at both events.