When to go · Western Uganda, UG
When to visit Kibale Forest
January through June is the sweet spot for Kibale Forest. Days run 17-30°C with under 48mm 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
29°
22mm
Feb
30°
21mm
Mar
28°
85mm
Apr
27°
115mm
May
27°
85mm
Jun
27°
48mm
Jul
28°
37mm
Aug
27°
82mm
Sep
27°
124mm
Oct
27°
138mm
Nov
26°
136mm
Dec
27°
71mm
Best to worst, by weather.
- Excellent
- January, February, June, July, November
- Good
- March, April, May, August, September, October, December
- Busy
- June, July, August
- Quiet
- October, November
Peak demand in Kibale 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
29°C days, 22mm rain. The window.
February
30°C days, 21mm rain. The window.
March
28°C, 85mm rain. Warm but workable. April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
April
27°C, 115mm rain. Pack a shell. April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
May
27°C, 85mm rain. Pack a shell. April is the wettest month. Murchison Falls roads turn to mud and some camps close for maintenance.
June
27°C and 48mm rain. Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
July
28°C and 37mm rain. Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
August
27°C, 82mm rain. Pack a shell. Bwindi permits sell out four months ahead in dry season. Book before February for August trekking.
September
27°C, 124mm rain. Pack a shell.
October
27°C, 138mm rain. Pack a shell. Afternoon storms, mornings often clear. Gorilla permits easier to grab and lodge rates drop fifteen to thirty percent.
November
26°C and 136mm rain. Afternoon storms, mornings often clear. Gorilla permits easier to grab and lodge rates drop fifteen to thirty percent.
December
27°C, 71mm rain. A solid pick.
Pack for the window
Lightweight technical fabrics. SPF, sunglasses, a sun hat that won't blow off. High-SPF, even when it's cool.
Ready to put it on the calendar?