November is one of Uganda’s quieter months for gorilla trekking. It falls in the short rainy season, which runs from October through November, and the wet conditions put off many visitors who have heard that the dry season is the best time to trek. As a result, permit availability in November is higher than in the peak months, lodge prices at many properties are lower, and the sense of the forest belonging to you — rather than sharing it with the maximum possible number of visitors — is more pronounced. If you are flexible on timing and willing to pack rain gear, November offers a version of the gorilla trek that the July-August visitors do not experience.
The Rain Is Not the Problem You Think
Rainfall in Bwindi during November comes in daily showers rather than sustained all-day rain. The morning trek window — from 7am through to approximately midday — is typically clearer than the afternoon. You may walk in or out of rain on the return journey, but the encounter with the gorillas itself is more often than not conducted in manageable conditions. The mud is real and requires appropriate footwear, but it does not prevent access to the gorillas. The forest in November has a particular lushness and atmospheric quality that the dry season does not match.
The Permit
The gorilla permit costs $800 USD for international visitors in 2027, regardless of season. The price is fixed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and does not vary between wet and dry months. What does vary is availability: November permits are easier to secure on shorter notice than July-August permits, and the specific family and sector you want may be available where it would not be in peak season. Contact us to check November 2027 availability and to plan the itinerary that works for your schedule.
Who November Suits
November gorilla trekking works particularly well for travellers who prioritise the intimacy of the experience over the comfort of dry conditions, who are experienced enough in bush travel to be comfortable in wet-season forest, and who want to avoid the crowds of the peak months. It also works for budget-conscious travellers who can take advantage of shoulder-season lodge pricing without sacrificing the permit experience. The gorillas are the same gorillas. The forest is the same forest. The rain is the variable — and for many trekkers, it adds rather than detracts from the authenticity of being in a rainforest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The two dry seasons offer the easiest trekking: June to September (the main peak) and December to February. Trails are firmer, rain gear is less critical, and visibility in the forest is better. April, May, and November are wet but beautiful — lush, green, fewer visitors, and UWA offers discounted permits ($600 FNR) during these months.
Rain makes forest trails muddy and the ascent/descent more physical, but gorilla trekking is not cancelled due to rain. Gorillas are present year-round — in fact, wet season gorillas are often less mobile and stay lower in the forest, which can make sightings easier. Waterproof hiking boots and a rain jacket are essential regardless of season.
Bwindi sits at 1,600–2,600m altitude, giving it a cool, mist-shrouded climate year-round. Daytime temperatures during the trek: 15°C–22°C. Evening temperatures at the lodges: 8°C–14°C. It can feel cold after dark, especially at Ruhija sector (2,300m+). Pack warm layers for evenings regardless of season.
No. Bwindi’s altitude keeps temperatures comfortably cool year-round. The forest canopy provides shade throughout the trek. Heat and dehydration are not typical concerns — carrying sufficient water (1.5–2 litres) matters more for hydration than temperature management.
Uganda is home to the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), one of two subspecies of eastern gorilla. They live exclusively in the Virunga volcanic highlands (Uganda/Rwanda/DRC) and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda only). Mountain gorillas are the only gorilla subspecies that cannot survive in captivity — every individual you can trek is a wild animal.
