19 Aug It’s Peak Season in Uganda. Here’s What You’re Missing.
July to August is peak season in Uganda, and the place is buzzing with tourists on safaris and adventure holidays. The sun is out, and everyone is enjoying themselves.
We thought we’d talk you through the highlights of our best-selling safari, and what you can expect from a safari in peak season.
Why travel now?
Uganda is blessed with two peak seasons a year. These coincide with our dry seasons; December–February and June–September, which are ideally timed with European holiday seasons, making Uganda the perfect summer or winter getaway.
The wildlife in Uganda is abundant and can be seen all year round in our vast and varied national parks – truly wild places. But animal behaviour and habitats vary seasonally, and this is just one reason why a local safari guide adds so much to your experience. They always know where to find the wildlife, and they can tell you so much about it.
What about the cost?
Prices do vary throughout the year and can be more expensive in peak season (along with international flights), but our service at Venture Uganda Travel is bespoke, so we can always use our local knowledge to work to your budget and create the perfect holiday for you.
We have plenty more advice to share about travelling to Uganda in peak season on a classic safari, so read on and, please, get in touch if you have any questions or would like to discuss your adventure, whatever time of year you’d like to travel.
Gorilla Tracking in July and August
Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat, in a World Heritage Site, is an absolute privilege and truly a pinch-me experience. Trek through the rainforest with your guide, admiring the rich flora and fauna as you hike your way to your incredible mountain gorilla family.
Imagine spending an hour with these beautiful creatures, getting a glimpse into their world: the massive silverback eating juicy foliage or the infants playing together under the watchful eye of their parents. It’s an experience like no other.
If you would like to track gorillas during the peak season, don’t wait to get in touch. Permits sell quickly, and local accommodation soon gets full so we need plenty of lead time to secure them for you – especially if your travel dates are fixed.
You’ll find the rainforest a bit damp and humid in any season, and it can be slippery underfoot in places. Please remember to bring some good walking shoes, socks to tuck long trousers into (to stop the ants getting into your pants!), and please hire a porter to support the local community who help to protect the gorillas.
Read more in our Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Tracking
Boat Cruises to See the Wildlife Down at the Water’s Edge
During the dry seasons, when some water sources and mud wallows dry up and the vegetation changes, the waterways become a vital hub for the local wildlife, as they gather at the rivers and watering holes to drink or cool off in the hot African sunshine.
This makes boat cruises the perfect way to spot magnificent animals like elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and many beautiful water birds. Whether it’s the River Nile or the Kazinga Channel, cruising along the water is a relaxing and unforgettable way to see wildlife up close.
Let us know if you’d like to add a boat cruise to your itinerary.
Why This Peak Season Is Great for Birding in Uganda
Uganda is home to over 1,000 bird species, and July–August is one of the best times of the year to see them.
For many birds, this is nesting season, and their breeding plumage makes them easier to spot. It’s the perfect opportunity to see the much sought-after Green-breasted Pitta as it displays in Kibale Forest. Many intra-African migrants, like the Blue Swallow, will be in Uganda in July/August, so you can add them to your checklist, too.
We have expert bird guides and site guides ready to help you find a huge range of birds and any particular target species on your wish list.
And don’t forget all the other popular species that can be seen year-round, like the fascinating Shoebill found in the swamps and wetlands, or the Ugandan national bird – the Grey-crowned Crane. Many will be discovered in the same locations as the Big 5 and other mammals, so if you’re coming along with general nature lovers rather than birders, there will be something for everyone.
Why not check out some of our birding blog posts to find out more.
Uganda at Sundown
In peak season you’ll enjoy adventures during the bright, sunny days, and in the evening we have some wonderful ways to wind down as the African sun begins to set.
Picture yourself relaxing onboard a boat, drifting slowly downriver, enjoying drinks and nibbles as you watch the sun sink over the Ugandan wilderness.
Or imagine a table and chairs set up in a wonderful bush location, with friendly staff ready to serve you with a delicious dinner, a glass of chilled wine or a cold beer, while you relax and watch the animals disappearing off into the distance. This activity can be so romantic for couples or honeymooners, or the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.
And after dark, the adventure continues as the nocturnal world comes to life. Enjoy an evening game drive in the park, in search of animals such as bush babies, smaller cats, or even pangolin.
If you want to make the most of your evenings in the wild, just let us know. We’ll be happy to include these unforgettable experiences in your itinerary.
Cool Off in the Adventure Capital of East Africa
What better way to cool off in the heat of peak season than splashing about on the River Nile? Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or prefer to potter along the riverbanks, Jinja, East Africa’s Adventure Capital, is the place to be.
You’ll be spoiled for choice with the number of thrilling adventure activities available. Have fun in the sun with white-water rafting and kayaking in the rapids, paddle boarding, tubing, water biking, or kayaking along riverbanks while watching the birds and monkeys in the trees.
Back on land, in the neighbouring villages, go horse riding, quad biking, or mountain biking. And for the truly brave, why not try bungee jumping over the river — a dip in the Nile is surely the ultimate way to cool off?
You can also follow in the footsteps of famous explorers and visit the Source of the Nile, where the river rises out of Lake Victoria.
Speak to us about keeping cool in peak season.
Uganda’s Famously Peasant Climate
Uganda is known for its pleasant climate all year round.
Although we are on the equator, our high altitude makes it lovely and hot without being scorching, so even during the peak season, the temperature is never too hot to enjoy yourself.
If you want to make the most of the sunshine, many of the lodges here have beautiful pools where you can relax and unwind, perhaps with a good book, or cool off in the refreshing water after an exhilarating game drive. The pools are also fun for the kids, making it ideal for families.
We love sharing our favourite lodges, so please ask us for recommendations and we’ll help you find the perfect place to stay.
Escape the Crowds & Go Off the Beaten Track
If you want to travel to Uganda in peak season but avoid the crowds, we have a couple of suggestions for you.
Why not spend some time in Kidepo Valley National Park in the north-eastern corner of Uganda? Fly or drive there depending on the rest of your itinerary. This vast park is home to lion, elephant, zebra, giraffe, various antelope, hippo, buffalo, and many more species, as well as an array of fabulous birds.
Explore the park on game drives and safari walks, and then visit local communities like the Ik or Karamajong tribes and participate in activities to learn more about their fascinating culture.
Another suggestion is to track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the Rwanda/DR Congo border instead of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mgahinga has only one gorilla family and is slightly further off the main western safari circuit, so it can be quieter. You can also track golden monkeys here, explore the forest with the Batwa tribe, or relax at one of the beautiful regional lakes.
We have a range of private visits set up with local communities to enable them to welcome visitors and make a little money from tourism, such as a coffee or mango farm visit, bark cloth making, and sensitive school visits. You won’t find any other visitors here.
We have lots more Ugandan nooks and crannies for you to visit, so please let us know if you’d like a peak season safari away from the crowds.
Secure Your Peak Season Safari
Want to book ahead for next year’s peak season? Speak to us to secure an incredible safari trip for summer 2026, or find out how we can accommodate you at other times of the year.