What's on in Bwindi (Bwindi Impenetrable), Uganda through the year

Busy — Second dry window, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Second dry window (1 Dec – 20 Feb (usually))

Busy — Second dry window, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Second dry window (1 Dec – 20 Feb (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  The long rains

  1 Mar – 31 May · usuallyMonsoon

  The forest floor turns to mud and a trek that takes two hours in June takes five. The gorillas do not move far in the rain, which is the consolation; getting to them is the problem.

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Rule

  Low-season gorilla permits

  1 Apr – 31 May · usually

  The Uganda Wildlife Authority discounts the gorilla permit in April, May and November, which are the wettest months here. Trekking is capped at eight people per gorilla family per day and permits are paid in full at booking. Source ↗

Still on: The long rains (1 Mar – 31 May (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: The long rains (1 Mar – 31 May (usually)), Low-season gorilla permits (1 Apr – 31 May (usually))

Busy — Drier trekking months, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Drier trekking months

  1 Jun – 31 Aug · usuallyDry seasonCrowdedBook early

  The drier stretch, when the trails hold and the trek is a walk rather than a climb through mud. Permits for these months go furthest ahead, and the lodges around Buhoma and Ruhija fill with them.

Busy — Drier trekking months, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Drier trekking months (1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually))

Busy — Drier trekking months, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Drier trekking months (1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  The short rains

  15 Sep – 30 Nov · usuallyMonsoon

  The second wet spell. Trails get slippery again, the forest is at its greenest, and lodges cut rates for anyone willing to take the chance on the walking.

• Festival

  World Gorilla Day at Buhoma

  20–26 Sep · usuallyMajor festival

  The park marks the 24th at Buhoma with rangers, trackers and the communities living against the forest edge. A working day out rather than a spectacle, and worth timing a trek around. Source ↗

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: The short rains (15 Sep – 30 Nov (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: The short rains (15 Sep – 30 Nov (usually))

Busy — Second dry window, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Second dry window

  1 Dec – 20 Feb · usuallyDry seasonCrowdedBook early

  The other firm-trail window, and the one that collides with the festive booking rush. Mornings are clear before the mist comes back up the valley in the afternoon.