What’s the Best Season to Travel to Uganda and Rwanda?

Traveling to Africa: When Is the Best Time to Go? As travel designers who live and work in the region, one of the questions we hear most often is:

What’s the best time of year to travel to East Africa?  

The most honest answer is: it depends. And especially today, with an increasingly unpredictable climate, the seasons no longer behave as they did ten or fifteen years ago. What used to be reliably dry months can now surprise us with heavy rains. That’s why we want to explain what the seasons in Uganda and Rwanda are really like, so you can make a decision based on realistic expectations and enjoy your trip without surprises.

The Classic Seasons: Dry and Rainy

Traditionally, Uganda and Rwanda have two dry seasons—December to February and June to September—and two rainy seasons—March to May and October to November.

During the dry months, there is less rainfall and it’s easier to enjoy outdoor activities like safaris, hiking, or gorilla trekking. In the rainy seasons, roads can become more challenging and some activities require more flexibility. Up to this point, everything seems straightforward. But today’s reality is different: the climate has changed, and with it, the way we travel.

Our Experience: The Climate Has Changed

A decade ago, we could plan trips almost with a calendar in hand. Today, it’s no longer that predictable.

In recent years we’ve had to adjust itineraries on the go because of unexpected rains or sudden temperature changes. I remember perfectly a day last August: we were traveling with a group in southwest Uganda during the dry season. We had planned a relaxing afternoon by the pool after a safari. But an intense storm changed everything—not only could we not swim, but the sky stayed cloudy for almost a week, with constant drizzle.

And it wasn’t an isolated case. In Rwanda we’ve had rain in January and clear days in May, which is supposedly one of the wettest months. All of this has taught us that, beyond the seasons shown on maps, the African climate no longer follows the rules it used to. Nature is still breathtaking, but it’s important to come with an open mind: here the sky can change in minutes, and that’s also part of the adventure.

So, When Do We Recommend Coming?

Even so, some patterns remain. December to February and June to September are still generally the best months if you prefer to avoid rain. Roads are usually dry, safaris are more comfortable, and jungle hikes are less slippery. They also align with European holidays, which helps travelers coming from Spain or Italy.

From March to May, the landscape becomes intensely green and nature flourishes. It’s a beautiful, quieter time—perfect if you like traveling without crowds and don’t mind the occasional downpour. In October and November, short rains cool the air before the next dry season, and sunsets are often spectacular.

That said, the key is flexibility. Sometimes a heavy shower lasts half an hour and the sun comes out right after; other times it might rain for two days straight. What matters is having adaptable itineraries, and that’s where we have plenty of experience. If we need to move an activity or change a route, we always find an alternative that’s just as special.

Practical Tips

• Rain gear: Even in the dry season, bring a light rain jacket and a change of clothes. We always carry a poncho in the jeep.

• Check local forecasts: Weather apps are not always accurate in rural areas. We review conditions daily on the ground.

• Trust local guides: If schedules need adjusting, guides will handle it with experience—and a smile.

• Don’t let rain ruin your trip: Some of our best photos and moments have been right after a storm, when the light turns softer and the landscape colors glow.

A Trip Is More Than the Weather

We know many travelers dream of the “perfect trip” to Africa: blue skies, golden sunsets, and animals crossing the savannah. And yes, that can happen. But there may also be gray mornings, muddy roads, or elephants that take a bit longer to appear.

Traveling to Uganda and Rwanda means immersing yourself in living, unpredictable, wonderful nature.

And that’s precisely the magic: every sunrise is different, every cloud brings a new color, every day a new story.

At WildEast African Travels, we’ll help you experience all of it with open eyes and an open heart.

Get ready for the wildest adventure of your life.