When to visit Uganda: Weather and Climate of Uganda

Uganda is characterized by relatively tropical climate, with temperatures ranges of between 21- 25 degrees Celsius, with mountainous and swampy areas being much cooler; for example on top of Mount Elgon and Rwenzoris which is usually covered by snow and temperatures can drop to up to 10 – 15”C. The hottest months of Uganda in most regions tend to be December, January to February, and evenings are always chilly after the day’s heat where temperatures can range between 12 degrees-16”C.

Apart from the northern region, many regions in Uganda have annual precipitation ranging between 1,000 mm and 2,000 mm, with heavy rains experienced in the months of March and May and between October and November. It is in these months when road transport can be difficult due to heavy floods that cause most roads to be almost impassable in various remote areas of the country.

The best time for Gorilla trekking in Uganda is during dry seasons, between months of January, February and June to September, while Uganda wildlife safaris can be best done at the end of dry seasons, where wildlife viewing can be possible and when animals are concentrated around water sources.

Required clothing when visiting Uganda

Not much clothing restrictions is required to visit Uganda, however light weight clothes with a warm cover up for the evenings are recommended.

Strong and good walking shoes are recommended especially for forest hikes, and trekking excursions and long sleeved shirts to protect against bush insects.

Ensure as much as possible to come along with warm clothings as areas near lakes, forests and mountains tend to get too cold, with temperatures dropping up to as low as 10 degrees Celsius.

However light clothings are also much needed for the hotter regions of this country, where temperatures range between 25 – 30 degrees Celsius.

The Geography of Uganda: Where is Uganda?

Uganda is a land locked country located in the African continent within the East African region. Lying between the eastern and western arms of East African Great rift valley, Uganda covers a total of 197,100 square kilometers of land and 43,938 square kilometers of water, making it the 81st largest nation in the world with a total area covering 241,038 square kilometers.

Uganda shares boarders with her neighbors including; South Sudan to the North, Kenya in the East, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda and D.R. Congo to the South west and west respectively.

Uganda’s latitude and longitude coordinates are 1.1027° N, 32.3968° E. and uses a currency called shillings (/=).

Visit Uganda: what to see!

Uganda is extremely well endowed with nature’s wonders, including animals, birds, mountains, plateaus, lakes and rivers, forests and plantations, culture and people, amazing scenery and many others.

The most remarkable of all are the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park, nestled in the south western region of Uganda near the border of Rwanda and Congo; this park is a natural gem that hosts almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, with another half divided between Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park in Rwanda and D.R Congo respectively.

Apart from Bwindi national park, Mgahinga Gorilla Park is also a proud home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda, with one habituated family, Nyakagezi which is also open to tourists for trekking.

Uganda also hosts the human’s closest relatives, the chimpanzees which inhabit the forested areas of Fort portal in Kibale forest national park, home to the largest population of primates in Uganda. Other places which host chimpanzees in Uganda include the Budongo forest reserve, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, and the Semuliki valley reserve.