BEST TIME TO VISIT QUEEN ELIZABETH FOR A UGANDA SAFARI

Best Time, Seasons & Months To Go On Safari In Queen Elizabeth?

Like most locations in Africa, Queen Elizabeth National Park has two wet rainy seasons and two dry seasons. When helping you organize your safari travel in Uganda, the consultant at AfricanMecca Safaris will remind you that climate change has resulted in unpredictable weather patterns all over Africa. Chances are that you may encounter conditions unusual for the season. In any case, throughout the entire year you can expect consistently warm daytime temperatures ranging from 28 C (82 F) to 30 C (86 F), while nighttime temperatures may hover between 16 C (60 F) and 17 C (62 F).

Different Monthly Seasons At Queen Elizabeth - Dry, Hot, Wet Rainy & Cool

1. Dry Months, Best Time & Peak Season For Queen Elizabeth: June, July, and August. Note September is peak season but is also part of the wet rainy season.
2. Dry & Wet Rainy Months, Very Good Time & High Season For Queen Elizabeth: End of December, January, and early parts of February.
3. Wet Rainy Months, Good Time & Mid-Peak Season For Queen Elizabeth: March and September are both rainy periods though September is also a peak period with high number of visitors into Queen Elizabeth. These months are also the start of the lush green season.
4. Wet Rainy Season, Least Best Time & Low Season For Queen Elizabeth: April, May, October, and November.
5. Hot & Cool Months: There is only 1-2 Celsius degrees variation in temperature in between months at Queen Elizabeth. January, February and September are the hottest months with highs of 30ºC (86 F) during the day and lows of 17 C (62 F) at night while June and July are the coolest months with highs of 28 C (82 F) during the day and lows of 16 C (60 F) at night. All other months have a range from 28 C (82 F) to 30 C (86 F) during the daytime while nighttime temperatures average from 16 C (60 F) and 17 C (62 F).
6. Best Time For Birdwatching Safaris In Queen Elizabeth: The best time for birding safaris in Queen Elizabeth Park is from the end of May to September. The migratory birds arrive in November and leave by April. The peak rainy months of April and November bring abundance of food that leads to a lot of avian activity though trails can be slippery, and also roads and airstrips can be challenging to navigate.

Key Takeaways

• Maximum daytime temperatures ranging from 28 C to 30 C with nighttime temperatures hovering between 16 C and 17 C
• Best times to visit is during the two dry seasons, the long dry season lasting from May to August and the short dry season from mid-December to February
• Dry seasons best for viewing wildlife since the vegetation is sparse and animals converge to the water sources to drink
• Wet seasons also great for a tour because of the region’s fabulous beauty with an explosion of fresh vegetation and discounted room fares
• Winter months in the park coincide with the summer months in the northern hemisphere when schools are closed, and families can plan vacations

Visiting Queen Elizabeth During the Dry Seasons - Is It The Best Time To Go On Safari Based On Climate, Temperatures & Weather Conditions?

The long dry season is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth Park in western Uganda, and starts from June and continues through July and August. The short dry season is a very good time to visit too, and this starts from mid-December into January ending around late February. These two dry periods in Uganda are the best times to have a safari holiday in Queen Elizabeth. You will find that the weather generally is dry, with a few light showers once in a while. The vegetation is sparse and locating wildlife is easy, since animals will need to visit the water sources to drink. There are also fewer bugs during the dry period, and navigating roads takes less time. The highest day time temperature of 30ºC (86 F) peaks during the dry season month of February while the night time lows averages at 17ºC (62 F).

Wet Seasons In Queen Elizabeth Park & How To Plan Activities During The Rainy Period?

The long wet season in Queen Elizabeth National Park begins its rains in March, peaks in April and goes through the end of May. The short rains, on the other hand, begin sometime in September and continue right up to the middle of December. The peak happens in parts of October and all of November. Few discerning safari vacationers choose these green seasons to visit the reserve because of its sheer natural beauty. The rains bring a marvelous burst of fresh vegetation, though you may find that locating wildlife in the greenery takes longer. Further, since water is readily available, the animals will lessen their visit to the lakes or the Kazinga Channel to drink as there will be plenty of rainwater available in the interior waterholes . Navigating roads does take longer, but you can expect discounted prices on the room rates.

Should you choose to visit in the wet season, take note that it does not rain continuously throughout the day. There are spells when the weather is clear and the sun is shining brightly. It may also rain in a few specific pockets, leaving other areas dry. Your guide may reschedule your game drives, boat trips and nature walks around the weather conditions.

Other Considerations When Planning Your Safari Dates For Queen Elizabeth Park

You may also note that Queen Elizabeth National Park sees fewer tourists in the wet rainy seasons. Most guests prefer to visit during the long dry season, which coincides with the summer months in North America and Europe and also the Great Wildebeest Migration of the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Masai Mara (Kenya). Schools are typically closed in the summer, and it’s a good time to plan a trip to introduce kids to the wonders of wildlife and the importance of conservation. The harsh winters of the northern hemisphere (North America and Europe) and the December holiday season coincide with the fusion of dry-wet months in Uganda. For this reason, you could plan your safari in this period and spend time with your family in the beautiful environs of Queen Elizabeth Park.