As long as you pack quality rain gear, March is a great time to visit Uganda. While some roads in the country's south become impassible, and trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has its challenges, in return, accommodation and permits will both be easier and cheaper to book. To avoid the wettest regions, stick to central and northern Uganda and embark on bird-watching excursions and visits to museums and markets.

Weather

March is the start of the longer rainy season in Uganda, which lasts through May; however, as long as you pack and plan accordingly, it's still a great time to visit. The average high in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city, is 27°C (81°F), while the mountainous region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sees an average high of 77ºC (25ºC). Throughout the month, you can expect 5 inches (130 mm) of rain, with more rain falling in the south compared to the north. Even so, skies tend to brighten up after the rain, allowing plenty of opportunities to explore and relax in the sunshine.

Crowds & Costs

Due to the increase in precipitation, March is considered off-season in Uganda. You can look forward to quieter trails, cheaper accommodation rates, and easier access to wildlife permits. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is especially noticeably quieter, as roads in and around the park can become impassable. Only visitors who are okay with trekking in the rain make their way there.

Even in the north, where less precipitation falls this month, visitor numbers are still significantly reduced, and you'll have Murchison Falls and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary nearly to yourself. Kampala and Entebbe also have a much more relaxed and authentic vibe, as once, tourist-busy streets are again filled with locals going about their daily lives.

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Where to Go

March is a great time to explore Uganda's National Parks without the crowds on an eight-day nature and wildlife trip. Start in Entebbe, the ideal spot to get your bearings in the country, and admire the flourishing greenery in Entebbe Botanical Garden. Then, head north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which in March is the ideal spot for birders to watch for everything from Meyer's parrot to the shoebill stork—especially in Lugogo Swamp.

Continuing your trip north, you'll cross the Victoria Nile river and soon arrive at Murchison Falls, which will be spectacular thanks to the increased precipitation, with water cascading through rocky gorges. It's also worth spending a day inside Murchison Falls National Park, searching for lions, elephants, leopards, and Uganda's national bird, the grey crowned crane. Next, switch gears and head south to Kibale Forest National Park—known for its large population of chimpanzees. 

In west-central Uganda is Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for being the home of tree-climbing lions and large herds of buffalo and elephants. Split your time between the Kasenyi Sector and the Kazinga Channel to see large mammals and numerous birds preparing for their yearly migration. For those who don't mind the rain, continue your trip south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Permits to go in search of mountain gorillas will be at their least costly, and as food is plentiful thanks to the rain, you won't have to trek as deep into the jungle to spot these great apes.

What to Do

There's no escaping the fact that March is the rainy season in Uganda, but even so, there's more than enough to do and see throughout the country. If you prefer to stay dry, March is a great time to visit markets and museums in Kampala and Entebbe. Stop by Kabaka's Palace, the historic seat of the kings of Buganda, learn about Uganda's rich culture and traditions at the Ndere Cultural Center, and search for unique gifts and souvenirs at the Buganda Craft Market. While in Entebbe, visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is well worth visiting, home to over 50 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees.

Bird enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice when it comes to bird watching in Uganda in March. Take to the water on a boat safari or wander through lush jungle trails searching for noisy woodpeckers, the elusive Weyn's weaver, and the orange-breasted Papyrus gonolek, among many others. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most famous place to go bird watching; however, in the dense jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you may have the opportunity to see unique species that live nowhere else on the planet.

If your main reason for visiting Uganda is to see large mammals, you'll want to be prepared for the weather, but in return, you'll be rewarded with quiet trails and less expensive tours. In Murchison Falls National Park, you can take a boat ride on the Nile Delta in search of the shoebill stork and embark on a game drive to spot warthogs, leopards, and rare aquatic sitatunga antelope. Kibale Forest National Park is also a great place to visit in March, as the breeding season will be in full swing, and you may spot chimpanzees, blue monkeys, and baboons breeding, nesting, or even nursing their young.

Traveling to Uganda in March? Check out these great itineraries

Uganda's National Parks: Kidepo to Bwindi - 2 Weeks. Split your time between Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks on this wildlife-focused itinerary for nature lovers.

Uganda National Parks: Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi - 8 days. Enjoy a mix of city, savanna, and dense jungle on this eight-day trip featuring three national parks. With land, water safaris, and mountain gorilla trekking, you'll no doubt spot both elusive birds and fascinating large mammals.

More Helpful Information

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Best Time of Year to Visit Uganda
Uganda Tours & Itineraries