Best time to do gorilla trekking safaris simply describes the seasons when its easiest to do gorilla trekking because of different climatic factors. The best time to visit gorillas is in dry seasons all year round but there are specific months that are favorable to visit these apes. Uganda has got climate changes with moderate rainfall compared to both rainy seasons and dry seasons. It has a warm tropical climate with an average temperature ranging from 25°C to 29°C with an average annual rainfall ranging between 1,000m to 1500millmeters high.
The best time to do gorilla trekking is in dry seasons, from the months of June –August, and December to February when the habitant of these mountains is dry enough and easier to access through the forest. Because within these seasons the amount of rainfall is little and the trails in the forests are dry and easy to navigate. During the Christmas seasons, it’s when most travelers enjoy going on gorillas trekking safaris and therefore it’s repeatedly done in the peak seasons.
Gorilla visiting can be carried out in two national parks of Uganda .i.e. Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga National Park and both national parks lay in the Southwest region of Uganda.
The advantage of going for gorilla trekking in the low seasons is that accommodations tend to be cheaper to attract more tourists compared to other seasons which have a lot of people. And the fact that there are a number of permits in abundance in these wet seasons makes it easier to acquire them compared to the high peak seasons. Therefore sometimes, the low seasons which are usually wet seasons can also be the best time to do gorilla trekking for the budget travelers. These seasons vary from the months of March, April, May, October, and November.
Gorilla trekking permits cost USD 600 per person per day and one is advised to book gorilla permits as early as possible for quick reservation and arrangement because permits are on sell on a daily basis.
Differentiation Between Drier Seasons and Rainy Seasons
The dry seasons are those months where the rainfall is minimal and there is a prolonged dry sunny spell when temperatures rise abnormally. These seasons are dusty in the urban areas of the country and are the best time to travel in Uganda for many safaris including the gorilla trekking safaris because the pathways in the forests are dry and easy to access. These seasons run from the months of June to August and December to February.
The rainy seasons are the months of the year when there is a high rainfall pour and the grasses turn greener in these months across the country. Temperatures drop during these months and travelers reduce. Some people take advantage to make this their best time to do gorilla trekking since the whole safari is generally cheaper. These months are March to May and September to November.
Things to carry when you decide your best time to do gorilla trekking include long-sleeved shirts, light-weight clothes with warmness, hiking boots, insect repellents, clear cameras for photography, mineral water, some energetic snacks and many more.
Some of the accommodations facilities to sleep at when you go on gorilla trekking safaris include Travelers Rest hotel, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorillas lodge, Gorilla safaris lodge, clouds hotel e.t.c
