March sits at the beginning of Uganda’s long rainy season and is one of the months with the most permit availability for gorilla trekking. The combination of rainy season conditions — which deter some visitors — and the positioning of March between the February dry season and the April peak rains means that both permits and lodge accommodation are more accessible in March than in any of the peak months. For visitors who can be flexible on conditions and prefer lower competition for permits, March is an underappreciated window.
What March Offers
March in Bwindi is the beginning of the rains rather than the peak. The forest trails are still reasonably manageable early in the month before the April rains intensify. The vegetation is fresh and green. The gorillas are active and accessible. Photography conditions are different from the dry season — more overcast light, some mist in the mornings — but not worse. For visitors who find the dry season’s harsher light and browner vegetation less appealing, the early-March green season has distinct advantages.
The gorilla permit costs $800 USD for international visitors in 2027. March permit availability is generally good on moderate advance notice — one to two months for most dates. Lodge pricing at some properties reflects the shoulder season. Contact us to check March 2027 availability and to build the itinerary that works for your spring travel window.
