When planning for a gorilla trip, you need to think beyond securing a permit. The one other important factor that you need to also put into consideration or ask yourself is when is it ideal for you embark on this life changing experience in Uganda? Well, Uganda is that one destination in Africa that you can pay a visit at any time of the year given its favorable climatic conditions and its strategic location astride Equator. Other significant factors that make this country the whole year round destination is its expansive and scenic Lake Victoria and many other water bodies and rare weather patterns.
Equally, seasonality shouldn’t be left out when it comes to primate adventure! Uganda features 2 main wet seasons with long one that starts from mid-March to end of May while the short one begins from October to November. Also, two dry seasons are experienced in Uganda-short and long. The short dry spell is usually experienced from December to February and the longest begins from June to September. Gorilla treks in Uganda are conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park and given the kind of habitat where these creatures live, the mean temperatures experienced range from 21.5 to 27 which is maximum and minimum temperatures rise from 7 to 20 degrees Celsius. Looking at rainfall amount received, over 2390 mm of rainfall is received every year and the fact that it lies near equator and considering the kind of habitat, you have to expect it to rain at any time. Mgahinga National Park stands between altitude 2227 and 4127 meters and comes with cool equatorial kind of climate thus offering very pleasant and ideal weather conditions.
If you are planning to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, the dry season is usually considered as more preferable by most trekkers. This season is characterized by minimal rainfall amount and the ground remains relatively drier making it more ideal for one to hike through the dense vegetation and steep slopes while you are in search for mountain gorillas. December is also considered as the busiest month of the year not only in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park but across all the parks. Because of this, visitors are always advised to book for their permits early enough as well as accommodation facilities. On the other hand, paying a visit during the low season is equally find as others look at low cost for accommodation options. Normally, during low season, cost for lodges reduces as way to attract more visitors. To get the best of this adventure, the dry season can be best and depending what you are looking at if your consideration is fewer people, then the low/wet season can be the best for you. A wet season doesn’t denote that there are no safaris completely. In most cases, it can rain and later the sun comes out. However, while planning for a gorilla trek, it is important that you identify the easiest trekking conditions regardless of the low rates during low season. This means that June to September or December to February are the best months and period for you to take part in this lovely primate adventure. The challenge with a dry season is that it is a period when there is little food for these creatures to feed on and hence they are forced to move in long distance in search of what to eat in the course of the day and this means longer hours of hike. Whereas the wet season is characterized by heavy rainfall which comes with plenty of forage for mountain gorillas to depend thus making to keep within the park area and less time is spend while searching for them in the wild.
On the other hand, whether you wish to track gorillas during dry season or wet season, it is important that you consider which items are ideal to pack for your safari. The fact that rains can come at any time of the day due to the kind of habitat where these creatures thrive from, you advised to pack appropriately starting with water proof hiking boots, water, energy giving snacks, long sleeved shirts or t-shirts, camera with no flashlight, hat, rain jacket or poncho, sun screen, water proof daypack, trousers, insect repellent, walking stick that you can find at the park headquarters or at a lodge.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done at any time of the year and when planning for this rare experience, it is important that you put into consideration the wet and dry season. The dry season is preferably the best as it comes with little rainfall amount thus making easier for one to wind through the jungles of Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
