Updated
April is usually the wettest month for gorilla trekking in Uganda, in the middle of the long rains that run from about March to May. Expect heavy showers most days, often in the afternoon, and muddy, slippery trails. In return, the gorilla permit costs US$600 instead of US$800, permits and lodges are much easier to book, the forest is at its greenest and you share it with fewer visitors. Treks run every day and the gorillas are found as reliably as in any other month; the walk is simply harder.
Weather in April
Bwindi and Mgahinga lie close to the equator but high in the hills, so temperatures change little through the year: roughly 10–15°C in the early morning and low to mid 20s°C in the afternoon. What changes is the rain. In April, heavy storms are common, sometimes lasting hours, and mist hangs in the valleys. Mornings are often clearer, and many treks finish before the heaviest rain. Read about weather at Bwindi and checking the forecast.
What trekking is like
The same trek that is a steady walk in July can be a slippery scramble in April. Red clay paths turn to mud, streams rise and steep slopes need care, so the walk may take longer than in the drier months.
The gorillas are still tracked every morning and are sometimes found nearer the forest edge, where there is plenty of fresh growth. Rangers keep groups moving carefully, and porters are especially useful this month, carrying bags and giving a hand on steep sections for about US$15–20. See our guide to trekking in the rain.
Why April can be a good choice
The permit costs US$600 in April, May and November, saving US$200 per person, and many lodges offer lower green-season rates. Availability is good, so you can often book a few weeks ahead and choose your sector, and groups can more easily trek together. The forest is lush, birds are active and many are breeding, and lodges are quiet. If you are comfortable with mud and rain, April offers good value. See our guide to permit availability.
Drawbacks
Treks are harder and dirtier, and photography is more difficult in rain and dim light. Some dirt roads become slow, so road transfers can take longer, and low cloud can delay small aircraft to Kihihi and Kisoro, so build in buffer time. Game drives in savanna parks are still worthwhile, but grass is long and some tracks may be muddy. If you have limited fitness or mobility, the drier months are kinder.
What to pack
Bring a good waterproof jacket and waterproof or quick-drying trousers, broken-in waterproof boots with deep tread, gaiters, gardening gloves, a rain cover and dry bag for your camera, and spare socks. A light fleece helps in the cool mornings. See our gorilla trekking packing list, and compare April with May or our main guide to the best time for gorilla trekking.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you do not mind rain and mud. Permits are cheaper and easier to get, and the forest is quiet and green.
US$600 for foreign non-residents, instead of US$800.
Yes. Treks go ahead every day; only dangerous conditions would stop them.
No. Trackers find them each morning as usual, though the walk can be harder.
