Many people will wonder about the best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is a destination that can be visited all year round given that it has got pleasant climate that make almost every adventure activity possible throughout the year. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Park is therefore open for tourism throughout the year. This national park is an assortment of many interesting tourism activities, which tourists can participate in at any time of the year.
The dry season is also the peak season where the demand of gorilla permits and the lodging facilities is so high; this means the tourists are advised to book for the trekking permits at least 5 months in advance to avoid disappointment. Though they say that every good thing has a certain flaw, gorilla trekking in the dry season is not exceptional because no matter how the hiking conditions tend to be favorable, this season does not offer clear views because of the hazier air associated with the dry season.
The rainy season from April to May and October to November is not preferred due to the unfavourable conditions that are not favourable in the trails since they tend to be so slippery and muddy hence making tracking challenging. The season is also associated with a lot of mist and hailstorms that make it challenging to sight the wildlife and birds from a far distance. The season offers clearer views than the dry season since after the rains, the clouds disappear and the mist lifts up unlike the dry season that is associated with hazy air. Not only that, the scenery is breath-taking and the vegetation greener during the rainy seasons.
One of the advantages the tourists enjoy for tracking gorillas during the rainy season is that it’s good for bird watching since it’s during this season that the migratory bird species like the brown chested Lapwings can be sighted within Mgahinga National Park.
Though the tourists traveling to Mgahinga National Park should put in their mind that the predictions of weather/ climate cannot be 100% correct due to the high rate of global warming, because even you expect it to be a dry season, the place can receive rain hence tourists get disappointed because they didn’t prepare for it. However, the tourists traveling to Mgahinga National Park should put in their mind that it’s vital to wear a rain proof back pack, rain jacket, rain proof hiking boots, long trousers and the long sleeved shirts before venturing into the jungle regardless of the seasons. This also allows you to get prepared for the unexpected.
Much as Mgahinga National Park can be visited at any time of the year, maximum tracking experiences can be achieved when the tourists visit during the dry season because tracking conditions during the wet season are not favorable.
Mountain gorillas of Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla Park can be best tracked from December to March and from June to September. This is the dry season in Uganda and tracking during these months is less hectic as there is easy movement in the forest trails, which is not the case during the wet season when the tracking trails are muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga?
Gorilla trekking is an all year adventure hence you can visit at any time you like. However, the maximum satisfaction is achieved if the activity is conducted during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September because this is when the hiking trails are not/less slippery and muddy.
When is the best time to go hiking in Mgahinga National Park?