Both Uganda and Rwanda lie on or close to the Equator and therefore seasonal differences in temperatures are fairly minor. Uganda and Rwanda receive international travellers all year round, as even during the rainy season there are reasons to visit these countries. One advantage of the rains is to settle the dust and allow visitors incredible views of the Ruwenzori Mountains in Uganda or the spectacular Volcanoes in Rwanda. I have spoken to several owners of hillside lodges and they all agree that April is one of the best months for clear mountain views. Add to this the fact that you are travelling in tough 4 wheel drive vehicles and you will find that the rainy months April-May and October-November present few logistical problems. It is also important to note that although this is the rainy season it rarely rains all day and wildlife activities can therefore be fitted in between the odd shower.

Obviously for people keen to trek in the mountains having the best weather conditions possible for walking is important for safety and comfort. Therefore clients looking to trek in the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon or in the Virungas will travel to Uganda and Rwanda in the dry season. Even in the dry season there is always a risk of a heavy downpour, but these are normally short-lived and cause little disruption to itineraries.

For many clients their main physical activity will be the Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Obviously they also will want to avoid rain, but very sunny conditions can bring their own problems. Not only does strong sun make the trekking more demanding and potentially risk clients getting sunburnt or dehydrated, it can also make photography a little tricky. If you find the Gorillas in fairly open terrain, as I did in both Uganda and Rwanda, bright sunshine on the dark coats of the Gorilla can make it difficult to get the right exposure level. However, if you are tracking a group that is located in the much thicker and darker primary forest and the weather is cloudy, you will find that low light levels are a problem.

For clients wishing to travel in the dry season there are a few subtle differences to take into account depending on what wildlife you are keen to observe. For general wildlife viewing at the savannah parks such as Murchinson Falls and Queen Elizabeth, the best month is March just before the rains when vegetation is lowest. But Lion viewing is better when the new grass is a bit longer after the rains (August/September), as they favour the cover of a few choice locations from which to ambush their prey. Certainly travelling straight after the rains (July or December) will ensure less dust for the long car transfers between locations and that is certainly an advantage when vehicles have no air-conditioning.