When is the best time to go gorilla trekking?

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safaris are customized safari tours that take visitors for the memorable gorilla trekking experience in East Africa. Gorilla trekking has gained more popularity offer the years and is on most travelers’ bucket list when planning an African safari. Although this safari activity is surely exciting, it becomes even more memorable in case you time it well when all the ideal condition are in play. You might therefore wonder, When is the best time to go gorilla trekking? The best time to go gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons. The first long dry season happened between June and October, this is the most popular and best recommended time to go on a mountain gorilla trekking safari in all East Africa destinations. The second and short dry season happened between December and February, this time is also great for mountain gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda.

Mountain gorilla trekking involves hiking and navigating through thick tropical rainforests to observe mountain gorillas. Since they are an endangered primate species with a few thousand left in the world most travelers are interested in seeing them. Most travelers have revealed that the experience might just be better than the normal wildlife safaris to see the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant).

To better experience this activity however, one need to understanding the best time for gorilla trekking, this will increase your chances of sighting the giants, and probably guarantee you a much easier and safe experience.

With that said, some months of the year may offer the best conditions favorable for a gorilla trekking safari tour. Therefore, when planning your Uganda gorilla holiday tour or Rwanda Gorilla Tour, we recommend choosing the moths that offer the best trekking condition. Gorilla trekking can however be done all year round.

Best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda

Most East African countries receive two seasons and that is the dry season and the wet season. Both seasons are come with advantages and disadvantages when it comes to gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. When is the best time to go gorilla trekking? The best time to visit Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking is during the long dry season between June and October. That said, let us delve deep into different gorilla trekking seasons.

Peak gorilla trekking season (long dry season)

The peak gorilla trekking season also known as the high season for safaris in Uganda ans Rwanda is basically used to refer to the month between June and October and December and February. The peak season is know for receiving a high number of visitors from all over the world, thanks to its favorable conditions. It is usually associated with good weather, accessibility and visibility in the forest.

During this long dry season (June to October) which is also the peak season for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, all gorilla trekking National Parks receive less showers making trekking in the forest much easier with dry grounds.

It is also associated with clear visibility in the forests since most plants tend to drop some of their leaves. Mountain gorilla trekking during these months guarantees high success and easy trek in the forest compared to the wet season when there are heavy downpours and slippery trails in the park.

 Low gorilla trekking Season (wet season)

The low season is usually the wet season. Although most traveler try to avoid this season, it is the best for photographers and bird enthusiast since the forest is always in full bloom. Although the wet season might pose a more challenging trek compared to the trek during the dry season, there is still guarantee of satisfaction and sighting of the mountain gorillas in their habitat during this time.  The low season (off-peak gorilla trekking season) usually happens during the wet month of the year across all the three gorilla trekking countries. Low season for gorilla trekking usually experiences heavy downpours in National Parks, making trekking more difficult and the trails more slippery. The low season usually runs from late February to May.

Although these months are not considered the best time for gorilla trekking, it does not mean that trekking is impossible during this period. You can still go on a gorilla safari in these low-season months and enjoy a rewarding experience in both Uganda and Rwanda. In fact, trekking during the off-peak season comes with several advantages. One of the main benefits is that accommodation prices are usually lower, making the trip more affordable. There are also fewer tourists in the parks, which creates a quieter and more personal experience with nature. This period is also ideal for photography lovers, as the rainy season brings lush green vegetation that provides beautiful and dramatic backgrounds for photos and filming. Overall, even though the conditions may be wetter, the experience can still be very enjoyable and memorable.