A densely forested, with the undulating lush sceneries of Uganda, only means that it rains more often than naught. Even though it pours, and it does, the aftermath is habitually perspicuous, and invitingly  cerulean, with rainbow at the horizon, the silver lining.   

However, if the key intention is to enjoy a rather non-feverish Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking experience, then its better to go during the dry seasons on calender. That said, you will realize that whereas the dry seasons are perfect for exceptional experience, they are pretty exorbitant on most accommodation rates across the board.

High Season: June to September. Superb weather for wildlife spotting. You’ll need to have booked your Gorilla permits way in advance.

Low Season: March, April, May, October, November.  During this season it pours sporadically, thus less crows, and you are likely to get great deals on accommodation and amenities.

Good Weather: From June to July & January to February. There is light showers, therefore budget friendly too.

Worst Weather: March, April and May. You are better-off keeping off during these seasons, unless you must.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

This’s ecologically diverse habitat is a must visit destination, not only in Uganda but in the world. Indisputably, half of the Earth’ rarest and majestic Mountain Gorilla, including the habituated ones, call this rainforest park, a natural primal home. Accentuated by a banquet  of sprawling valleys,  and ridges raising to over 2500 meters above sea level, the park is a haven to over 110 species of mammals. The most distinguished residents in the park includes the intelligent chimps and  the sonorous Mountain  Gorillas. Other mammals in this sanctum include, the Olive baboons and atypical L’Hoest’s monkey families.

In particular, the guided group safari adventures and excursion into this park are the Gorilla Trekking experiences.

The park is carefully zoned, each section presenting terrains with exceptional trekking experience, hurdles, and thick thickets to penetrate. Hence, that requires an appreciable personal physical fitness, grit and attitude for raw adventure.

The access points includes the Rusahga and Nkuringo Gats, located in the north or the Buhoma and Ruhija Gates in the southern part of the of the Bwindi impenetrable forest.

The Gorilla trekking expeditions, and the meeting of these human-like verging creatures, is touted as a life-changing experience!  A trek that might take an hour to over five hours, of course, based on the location of the Gorilla families being tracked. These primates do swoosh around quite a bit, looking for pastures within their territory, and when you finally see and meet them, for USD 600 ( USD 1500 in Rwanda ) in park fees, you will be allowed to spend unto an hour,  only.

Accommodation Here: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge

Kibale National Park

As a rainforest, Kibale National Park is one of the most ecologically diverse zones, prolific with numerous varieties of birding life  than anywhere in the world. The ecosystem here is home to over 300 rare bird species, and 700 preeminently habituated chimpanzee tracking, and for research.

The Reserve is a few kilometers from Murchison Falls National Park, which is logistically easier for a combined eco-tour safari.

There is Herculean concentration of  primates in this park than you will find anywhere else in the world. These include, the rarely seen L’Hoest monkeys, other species of the Red & Blue colobus monkeys, Grey Mangabeys, Black faced vervet Monkeys, Baboons, galagos and, pottos as well as bush-babies.

The Park if has further been popularized by the celebrated , Jane Goodall Foundation, who have done conservation and research into the environmental protection and indeed habituation programmes for the Chimpanzees.

Accommodation Here: Kibale Forest Camp, Papaya Lake Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale

Murchison Falls National Park

Compared to other Uganda’s Park, Murchison Falls  National Park is colossal. Thanks to the meandering river Nile that bursts its volume of waters through a narrow crevice in the Great Rift valley steep plateau. The cascading river and the waterfall plunge, creates beautiful scenic view, besides the resultant new flora and marine ecosystems created downstream.

Whats more, the Park situated on the northern side of River Nile, is a renowned as a wildlife habitat, populated by herds of African Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions, reticulated Giraffes, Waterbucks, Zebras and birding life.

Accommodation Here: Fort Murchison Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is one of Uganda’s most celebrated park, and should always be included in any safari adventure to Uganda. Sandwiched between shores of Lake Edward and the foothills of the snow-capped Rwenzori mountain ranges, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers unraveled scenic views and sprawling wildlife.

However, what makes this  park particular exceptional is the pride of Tree-Climbing Lions domiciled in the low-lands of Ishasha Savannah. This rare Lions share this idiosyncratically adapted characters with other similar pride only found at the Lake Manyara National Park in the South of Tanzania.

Accommodation Here: Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge

Whereas Tented Camps and Lodges in and around the Parks are mostly self-sufficient and largely eco-friendly with strict ban on plastic bags usage.

We advise that you bring along a few personal effects at the very least, but also wise to travel light because of limitation on luggage weights on most local flight transfers up to 15kgs Max.

Indeed, going on a bucket-list that is African safari adventure, imply that you keep those intimate memories to last a millennia. What is the  best way of doing this than bringing along a pair of binoculars and most certainly, quality camera reinforced with zoom lenses, and back-up batteries to ensure you etch special moments of your Safari.

Uganda, like other East African Countries is near the equator, therefore the sun is at peak when the weather is sweltering, thus wear light and comfortable. However, the early mornings and late evenings are particular chilly therefore bring right clothing for this and a light waterproof garment for any unexpected deluge. 

Consequently, you ought to bring your cool sunglasses, “Safari Hat”, sunscreen, sturdy walking pair of shoes, your most needed personal effects like medication if need be, and mosquito repellents. A swimming costume will become handy for a dive in the camp’s pool, hot on the heels of a thrilling game drive. 

I dare say though, you should bring along a nice book when use of internet in the African Savannah is no longer sensible nor desirable.

The Uganda’s transport network (either by Road or Air) between parks and sites of interest and exploration is appreciable. In fact,  it’s much possible to hire private  driver and guide to enjoy exploring most locations in Uganda by a land cruiser Jeep or  by 4×4 safari automobile.

Depending with your budget for safari, it’s quick and easy chartering private aircraft or booking scheduled flights from the Uganda’s over 40 airports and airstrips, either for site seeing or transiting between wildlife parks.

Passport requirements: All travelers to the Republic of Uganda MUST readily have bonafide and signed passport valid for at least Six Months beyond your expected departure date from the country.

VISAS Issuance: Depending on your nationality or country of passport, you might need or might in fact be visa except, you would need to check on this prior. 

Interestingly, it’s possible to obtain an East Africa single Entry Visa that would allow you to enter rove within Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. There are optional ways of getting it issued to you, including online application and at any point of entry to the aforementioned East African countries.