Travel Guide

Travel Essentials: Uganda

Before finalising your next big adventure devote some time to pre-planning to ensure you are as best prepared as possible. Included here you'll find useful 'Essential Info' with links through to the experts in Travel Health Advice, Visa Regulations, Government Travel Advice, Books and Maps.

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate	Uganda has an equatorial/tropical climate which is tempered by cooling breezes from the mountains. In general terms the lowland area and lake shores enjoy a warm climate, while it is cooler in the highlands. The rains fall mainly between late March to May and October to November. Temperatures average about 26C during days and 16C at night. The hottest months are December to February with temperatures sitting around 30C.
Seasonality	Public holiday periods can become very busy in the parks (such as Queen Elizabeth) when ex-pat workers and wealthier locals take long weekend breaks. These periods are perhaps best avoided if seeking peace and quiet and fewer vehicles on the game drive circuits. Also during the heavier rains of March to May murram roads can become blocked with trucks bogged from sliding on very slippery road surfaces. This can increase travelling time considerably. Conditions underfoot whilst gorilla trekking are also more difficult during this peiod, with slippery (and often steep) jungle trails.
National Holidays
08 Mar 2008	International Women's Day
21 Mar 2008	Good Friday
24 Mar 2008	Easter Monday
01 May 2008	Labour Day
03 Jun 2008	Martyrs' Day
09 Jun 2008	Heroes' Day
01 Oct 2008	Eid al Fitr - end of Ramadan (Muslim)
09 Oct 2008	Independence Day
08 Dec 2008	Eid al Adha - Feast of Sacrifice (Muslim)
25 Dec 2008	Christmas Day
26 Dec 2008	Boxing Day
01 Jan 2009	New Year's Day
26 Jan 2009	Liberation / NRM Anniversary Day
National Events
Amakula Film Festival & Dance Week	Occurs: February Both held at the National Theatre in Kampala showing contemporary dance and movement plus film and art from around the world.