Bwindi’s weather is usually mild and damp, but its altitude, between about 1,160 m and 2,600 m, means visitors can meet hail, heavy downpours, cold nights and thick fog, especially in the rainy seasons from March to May and September to November. Hail falls a few times a year in the higher sectors, and night temperatures at Ruhija can drop to around 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. None of this stops treks, but it changes what you should pack.
Hail and storms
Afternoon thunderstorms build over the hills on many days in the rainy seasons, and at these altitudes hailstones can reach the ground before melting. Hail is usually small and short-lived. Under the canopy you are well sheltered; on open ridges and roads you are not. Storms also bring heavy rain that makes trails slippery and can wash out sections of murram road, delaying transfers.
Cold and fog
Mornings are cool everywhere around Bwindi, and Ruhija, the highest sector, can be cold at night, particularly after rain. Fog often fills the valleys in the early morning and lifts by mid-morning, though on grey days it can linger. Trackers find gorillas in fog by following signs, so treks go ahead, but visibility and photography suffer.
How to prepare
Pack a waterproof jacket, a warm fleece, a hat and quick-drying layers, and keep a dry change of clothes at the lodge. Allow extra time for road transfers in the wet months. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Bwindi weather, trekking in the rain, Bwindi’s micro-climates and the packing list.
Frequently asked questions
Occasionally, a few times a year, mainly in the rainy seasons and at higher sectors.
Nights at Ruhija can drop to around 8 to 12 degrees Celsius.
Yes. Treks run in rain and fog; only extreme conditions cause delays.
A waterproof jacket, fleece, hat and quick-drying layers.
