Bwindi Forest National Park Uganda Weather

Bwindi Forest National Park Uganda Weather : Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most important national park in Uganda and the best gorilla trekking destination in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of the few destinations in the world where one can come face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The thick forests of Bwindi are a home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas that is why it is regarded as the best place on earth to track mountain gorillas. In addition to the gorillas, Bwindi Forest also boasts other 9 primate species including chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboon 350 bird species, 310 species of butterflies, 51 reptile species and many endangered species.

Bwindi Forest is the most diverse forest in East Africa with more than 1000 flowering plant species of trees and 104 species of ferns.

Location of Bwindi Forest

Bwindi Forest also known as Bwindi impenetrable National Park is located in Southwestern region of Uganda approximately 540 kilometers from Kampala, on the edge of the western rift valley and mostly accessible by road.

Bwindi Forest lies in the Kabale, Kanungu and Kisoro districts of Uganda.

Weather in Bwindi Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a tropical climate which makes it difficult to predict regular weather patterns, the is situated close to equator and because of this proximity the temperatures are very consistent throughout the year hovering around 23°C in the day and drops to roughly 11°C at night.

Temperatures tend to be lower at higher altitudes within Bwindi impenetrable national park.

In Bwindi impenetrable national park, Rain falls throughout the year are short down pours are possible even during the dry season, the park’s annual rainfall ranges from 1,400 to 1,900mm but it is generally lower during the dry season months of June to August and December to February.

Quick Facts on Weather in Bwindi Forest

Bwindi Forest is known to be cold in the morning and at night with average annual temperatures ranging from 7˚C – 20˚C.

The coldest period in Bwindi is June and July

Bwindi Forest enjoys two seasons that are rainy seasons and dry seasons

Rainy seasons are from March to May and September to November, short and the heaviest rains are received in March to May and November experiences long hours of soft drizzle.
Dry seasons are from December to February and mid – June to mid – August.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park receives total annual rainfall of up to 2390 mm, average temperatures range from about 16˚ C to 25˚C.

When To Visit Bwindi impenetrable National Park for Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year in Bwindi impenetrable national park, however the trekking conditions are more difficult during the rainy seasons which runs from March to May and October to November.

The dry seasons in June to August and December to February offer the best conditions for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In these months, skies are clear and the trekking trails are less muddy and navigable.

Note: it can rain any time of the year in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park

Bwindi Forest is situated in the far South-eastern region of Uganda and can be accessed by two transport means that are by air or by road.

By air – this is the fastest way to get to Bwindi Forest National Park for a safari experience, there are a number of daily flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip for travelers connecting to Buhoma or Ruhija sectors in the north of the park, there is also an option of flying to Kayonza airstrip.

For visitors traveling to the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo, Kisoro is the best place to fly to.

It is approximately 2 hours’ flight from Entebbe to Bwindi Forest, then followed by a short drive of around 1.5 – 2 hours.

By road

This is a journey of 9-10 hours from Kampala, the route passes through fantastic scenery and driving through a country which often gives you the best impression and understanding of the country side of Uganda.