When to go · Western Uganda, UG
When to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
January through July is the sweet spot for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Days run 13-23°C with under 104mm of rain across the window, before the peak-season surge.
The year at a glance
- Excellent
- Good
- OK
- Avoid
How we score weather
How we score months: each starts at 50 and earns or loses points across three signals. Temperature in the 18 to 26°C comfortable band adds 30; 14 to 17°C adds 15; warm 27 to 30°C adds 10. Past 30°C or below 14°C the page starts taking points back, with a 30-point hit at the extremes (below 5°C or above 33°C). Rainfall under 60mm adds 15, 200mm costs 25, over 300mm costs 40. Sunshine over 240 hours adds 10; under 80 hours costs 20. The result lands in one of four bands: Excellent (80+), Good (60-79), OK (40-59), Avoid (under 40). Crowds and prices come from the events calendar, separately, so weather and busyness stay readable as two different signals.
Jan
22°
78mm
Feb
23°
104mm
Mar
23°
189mm
Apr
22°
246mm
May
22°
137mm
Jun
22°
81mm
Jul
23°
46mm
Aug
23°
135mm
Sep
22°
219mm
Oct
22°
281mm
Nov
21°
289mm
Dec
22°
200mm
Best to worst, by weather.
- Excellent
- January, February, March, May, June, July, August, December
- Good
- April, September, October, November
- Busy
- June, July, August
- Quiet
- October, November
Peak demand in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest starts in January. Lock flights and the room you actually want by September, or you'll pay for what's left.
What's worth timing
Closure · Mar-May
Long rains
April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
Wildlife · Jun-Aug
Gorilla trekking dry season
Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
Shoulder · Oct-Nov
Short rains
Afternoon storms, mornings often clear. Gorilla permits easier to grab and lodge rates drop fifteen to thirty percent.
Wildlife · Dec-Feb
Short dry season
December to February tracks are firm and gorilla sightings reliable. Christmas week books out earliest.
Month by month
January
22°C days, 78mm rain. The window.
February
23°C days, 104mm rain. The window.
March
23°C and 189mm rain. April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
April
22°C, 246mm rain. Pack a shell. April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
May
22°C and 137mm rain. April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
June
22°C and 81mm rain. Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
July
23°C and 46mm rain. Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
August
23°C and 135mm rain. Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
September
22°C, 219mm rain. Pack a shell.
October
22°C, 281mm rain. Pack a shell. Afternoon storms, mornings often clear. Gorilla permits easier to grab and lodge rates drop fifteen to thirty percent.
November
21°C, 289mm rain. Pack a shell. Afternoon storms, mornings often clear. Gorilla permits easier to grab and lodge rates drop fifteen to thirty percent.
December
22°C days, 200mm rain. The window.
Pack for the window
Light layers, with one warm piece for evenings. High-SPF, even when it's cool.
Ready to put it on the calendar?