Bwindi and the Virungas sit on the equator at altitude. There is no hot season and no cold season — there is a wetter half of the year and a drier one, and even that is a matter of degree. It rains in the rainforest in every month.
The two dry seasons
June to September is the long dry season and the busiest time to trek. Trails are firmer, walks are quicker, and lodges fill from March onwards. Mid-December to February is the shorter dry season, hot and bright, with a Christmas peak and then a lovely, quiet late January.
The two wet seasons
March to May brings the heaviest rain, particularly April. October and November are wet but far gentler. In both, rain tends to arrive in the afternoon, treks still leave at 08:00 every morning, and lodge rates fall sharply.
| Month | Conditions | Crowds | Book permits by |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, bright, warm. Excellent trekking. | Moderate after mid-month | 6 months |
| February | Driest month in most years. Our quiet favourite. | Moderate | 6 months |
| March | Rains begin, usually late in the month. | Low | 3 months |
| April | Wettest month. Muddy, green, cheap. | Low | 2 months |
| May | Rain easing. Best low-season value. | Low | 2 months |
| June | Dry season starts. Reliable trekking. | Building | 9 months |
| July | Peak. Firm trails, cool mornings. | High | 12 months |
| August | Peak. Rwanda often sold out. | High | 12 months |
| September | Dry, quieter than August. Very good. | Moderate | 9 months |
| October | Short rains begin. Afternoon storms. | Low | 3 months |
| November | Wet but underrated. Lush and empty. | Low | 2 months |
| December | Dries out mid-month; busy at Christmas. | High late | 10 months |
What the season actually changes
- Walking time. In the wet season gorillas often feed lower on the slopes, which can make the trek shorter, not longer. The counterweight is deeper mud.
- Photography. Overcast wet-season light is flat and even, which suits black fur far better than dry-season contrast. Green is at its best in May and November.
- Roads. The murram roads into Ruhija and Nkuringo get slippery. A 4x4 stops being optional.
- Price. Only lodging and vehicles move. Permits never do.
Other things worth timing around
Kwita Izina, Rwanda's gorilla naming ceremony, takes place in Volcanoes National Park each September and is worth planning a trip around. In Uganda, the Bwindi birding is at its best in the wet months, when the Albertine Rift endemics along the Ruhija road are most active.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for gorilla trekking?
June to early September and mid-December to February are the driest and most popular. If you want the same forest with fewer people and cheaper lodges, late February and early March are excellent, and November is far better than its reputation.
Can you trek gorillas in the rainy season?
Yes. Treks run every day of the year and permits are the same price. Rain usually falls as heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day drizzle, and the gorillas often feed lower down the slopes, which can mean a shorter walk. Bring gaiters and accept that you will be muddy.
Is there a low season discount?
Permit prices never drop in Uganda or Rwanda. Lodges discount heavily in April, May and November — often 20–35% — which is where low-season savings actually come from.
Next
Keep planning
- Permits and costs — including low-season savings
- How hard is the trek? — wet-season terrain in detail
- What to pack — gaiters, waterproofs and camera kit
- Gorilla tours — itineraries that suit each season
Enquire
Start planning your gorilla trek
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