The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife viewing and chimpanzee trekking is June – September, and January – February, although game viewing and wildlife adventures can be all year round.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated on the rift valley floor in the southwestern region of Uganda. The park is largely covered in the Kasese district, which is approximately 400 kilometers and about 6 hour’s drive from Kampala, the capital city. It sits on an area of 1,978 km², which extends from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest, including the Kazinga channel that connects the two lakes.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to about 95 species of mammals and 612 species of birds which gives it a very diverse wildlife population, thus making it Uganda’s most famous national park and traveler’s destination.
The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is during the dry seasons.
The Dry Season – Best Time To Visit Queen Elizabeth
The dry months are the best time to go for wildlife viewing and chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This season includes months from June to September, and then January to February, which are the drier months of the year.
During this time the animals are much easier to see because they are drawn to the water sources. It is the peak season, especially from June to August, so there will be quite a number of visitors to the park. This is the best time to go on game drives and view wildlife. You can also take guided nature walks or go on chimpanzee-tracking expeditions. You will need warm clothes though, for the early morning game drives and nights, because it tends to get really colder.
However, during the wet season chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, and game driving tends to be difficult due to slippery roads.
The Wet Season
October to December and March to May usually mark the rainy seasons. During this season the scenery in and around the park is extremely beautiful. The vegetation is green and lush and captures the true picture of the tropics. There are migratory birds from Europe and Northern Africa in the park during this season, which makes it the best time for bird watching. Because the park is less crowded during this season, it makes it easier to watch wild species, as well as enjoy discounts offered by various lodges. However, it is also the low season for the park, and some lodges might even be closed especially between March and May. Warm clothes and rain gear are a necessity during this time.