A Uganda safari in December is one of the best-timed trips in East Africa: the short rains fade during the month, gorilla and chimpanzee trails dry out, and wildlife gathers near water in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Expect warm, mostly sunny days, green scenery and peak-season demand for permits and lodges over Christmas.
The challenge is that December is popular for good reasons. Gorilla permits are limited, the festive fortnight books up early, and the first week can still bring showers in the southwest. This guide gives you the weather by region, the parks that shine in December, verified permit and park fees, a sample route and the booking tactics that keep your plans on track.
Quick Facts
- Season: start of the long dry season; short rains usually ease during the first half of December
- Weather: warm, mostly sunny days in the savannah parks; cool mornings and evenings in Bwindi, which sits at roughly 1,160-2,600 m
- Gorilla permit: US$800 per person for foreign non-residents (checked October 2026)
- Chimp permit (Kibale): US$250 in 2026; UWA has announced US$300 from 1 January 2027
- Crowds: busiest from about 20 December to early January; quieter in the first two weeks
- Ideal length: 7-10 days for gorillas, chimps and one or two savannah parks
- Entry: visa applied for online in advance; yellow fever certificate expected on arrival
Is December a Good Time for a Uganda Safari?
December is a very good time for a Uganda safari. It marks the end of the short rains and the start of the main dry season that runs into February, so roads improve, forest trails firm up and animals in the savannah parks stay close to rivers and lakes. The main drawback is festive-season demand.
Uganda sits on the equator, so temperatures change little through the year and seasons are defined by rain. The country has two rainy periods: the long rains around March to May and the short rains around October and November. A Uganda safari in December catches the handover, which is why the month often feels fresh, green and bright rather than dusty.
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Uganda Weather in December by Region
Uganda weather in December varies more by altitude than by date, and that shapes how you plan a Uganda safari in December. The lowland savannah parks are warm and mostly dry, the Lake Victoria basin around Entebbe and Kampala is warm with occasional storms, and the southwestern highlands around Bwindi are cooler and can stay damp into mid-December.
Southwest: Bwindi, Mgahinga and Lake Bunyonyi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a mountain rainforest, so showers are possible in any month, even on a Uganda safari in December. In December they are usually short and more likely in the first half of the month. Mornings can be chilly at the higher Ruhija sector, so bring a fleece. Trails are steep in all four trekking sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo), and drier December ground makes the climb noticeably easier.
West: Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and the Rwenzoris
Queen Elizabeth National Park is warm and rewarding on a Uganda safari in December, with game drives on the Kasenyi plains in the north and the Ishasha sector in the south, known for lions that rest in fig trees. Kibale Forest, about two to three hours north, is humid and green, and chimpanzee trekking runs year-round. The Rwenzori Mountains also enter one of their better climbing windows as the rain eases.
North: Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley
Murchison Falls National Park is hot and increasingly dry through December, which draws elephants, giraffes and buffalo towards the Victoria Nile and makes it a strong northern add-on to a Uganda safari in December. Kidepo Valley in the far northeast is the driest corner of the country and one of its most remote parks; the dry season is the classic time to visit, as animals concentrate around the few permanent water sources.
Where to Go on a Uganda Safari in December
The best parks for a Uganda safari in December are Bwindi for gorillas, Kibale for chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth for classic game drives and the Kazinga Channel, and Murchison Falls for the Nile and big herds. Kidepo suits repeat visitors with more time. Most first-time itineraries combine three or four of these.
The table below shows how each park behaves in December so you can weigh the route. For more detail on each one, see our guide to the best national parks to visit in Uganda, and for lakes, waterfalls and cultural stops beyond the parks, our round-up of attractions in Uganda.
| Park | December conditions | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Bwindi Impenetrable | Cool, green, occasional showers early in the month | Mountain gorilla trekking, forest birding, Batwa community visits |
| Kibale Forest | Humid, trails drying through the month | Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi Wetland walks, primates |
| Queen Elizabeth | Warm, short grass, good visibility | Kasenyi plains, Kazinga Channel boat trip, Ishasha tree-climbing lions |
| Murchison Falls | Hot and drying; animals near the Nile | Launch trip to the falls, top of the falls hike, giraffes and elephants |
| Lake Mburo | Warm and mostly dry; easy stop en route west | Zebras, impala, boat trips, walking and cycling safaris |
| Kidepo Valley | Dry season; remote and quiet | Wilderness drives, big buffalo herds, rugged scenery |
Gorilla trekking on a Uganda safari in December
Gorilla trekking is the highlight of most trips, and December is one of the more comfortable months for it. Uganda Wildlife Authority rules limit each habituated gorilla family to eight visitors a day, set a minimum trekking age of 15, and allow one hour with the gorillas once you find them. Treks can take anywhere from a couple of hours to most of the day, depending on where the family has moved overnight.
Choosing the right sector matters as much as the date. Buhoma in the north is closest to the Kihihi airstrip, while Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south are closer to Kisoro and to the Rwandan border. If you are weighing up both countries, our guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda compares the experience and permit costs on the other side of the Virungas.
Birding in December
A Uganda safari in December is rewarding for birders. Migrant species from Europe and Asia are present from roughly November to April, joining Uganda’s resident birds, and the Albertine Rift forests of Bwindi hold regional specialities found in few other places. Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe, known for shoebill sightings, makes an easy half-day at the start or end of a trip.
How Much Does a Uganda Safari in December Cost?
The cost of a Uganda safari in December depends mainly on permits, lodge level, trip length and whether you drive or fly between parks. Permits are the biggest fixed cost: one gorilla trek is US$800 per person for foreign non-residents, and these rates do not drop in December, as it is not a low-season discount month.
The figures below are Uganda Wildlife Authority fees for foreign non-residents, checked in October 2026 against the Uganda Wildlife Authority rates page and recent UWA tariff announcements. Fees change, so treat them as a guide and confirm current rates before booking.
| Fee (foreign non-resident) | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking permit | US$800 | Bwindi or Mgahinga; December is full price |
| Gorilla habituation experience | US$1,500 | Bwindi only; longer time with a semi-habituated family |
| Chimpanzee trekking, Kibale | US$250 (2026) | UWA has announced US$300 from 1 January 2027 |
| Park entry (most parks) | US$40 per day | Includes Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Lake Mburo, Kidepo |
| Park entry, Murchison Falls | US$45 per day | Highest standard entry fee among Uganda’s parks |
| Launch trip | US$30 | Kazinga Channel or Nile trip to the base of Murchison Falls |
One detail catches out many December travellers. If your trip runs over New Year, any chimpanzee trek on or after 1 January 2027 falls under the new tariff, so a permit booked for 2 January will be priced differently from one on 30 December. Ask your planner to check the date of each activity when the quote is built.
On top of fees, the main costs of a Uganda safari in December are accommodation, a private vehicle and driver-guide, fuel and any domestic flights. Festive dates also push up lodge demand, so the same itinerary can cost more over Christmas than in early December. For a sense of how December pricing compares across the border, see our guide to a Kenya safari in December.
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How Many Days Do You Need for a Uganda Safari in December?
Seven to ten days is the sweet spot for a Uganda safari in December. That allows gorillas in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth without rushing, because distances are long. Five days can work for gorillas alone if you fly; twelve days or more lets you add Murchison Falls.
Road travel is the reason to allow extra time on a Uganda safari in December. The drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Queen Elizabeth takes around seven to eight hours with stops, and Bwindi is roughly eight to ten hours by road. Scheduled light-aircraft flights from Entebbe to the Kihihi and Kisoro airstrips cut those journeys sharply and suit shorter trips.
| Days | Route | Main activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Entebbe | Rest by Lake Victoria; optional Mabamba Swamp birding |
| Days 2-3 | Drive to Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Wetland walk |
| Days 4-5 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Kasenyi game drive, Kazinga Channel boat trip |
| Day 6 | Ishasha sector to Bwindi | Look for tree-climbing lions on the way south |
| Days 7-8 | Bwindi Impenetrable | Gorilla trek and a community or forest walk |
| Day 9 | Return to Entebbe | Drive or fly back for your international flight |
This shape matches our 9 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari, which can be adjusted to your dates and pace. If you would rather add Murchison Falls and the Nile, the 10 Days Primate and Wildlife Safari covers more ground.
When Should You Book a Uganda Safari in December?
Book a Uganda safari in December four to six months ahead, and as early as possible for dates between about 20 December and early January. Gorilla permits are the bottleneck: with only eight places per family per day, the most convenient sectors sell out first in festive weeks.
Early December vs Christmas and New Year
A Uganda safari in December splits into two halves. The first two weeks are quieter and easier to book, with a slightly higher chance of showers in the southwest. From around 20 December, families travelling from abroad and within the region fill lodges, and 25 December, 26 December and 1 January are public holidays in Uganda. If your dates are flexible, early to mid-December offers the best balance.
Visas and health for a Uganda safari in December
Before any Uganda safari in December, visitors from most countries need a visa applied for online before travel, and passports should be valid for at least six months after arrival. The East Africa Tourist Visa costs US$100 and covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for 90 days with multiple entries, according to the GOV.UK entry requirements for Uganda (checked October 2026). Expect to show a yellow fever certificate on arrival, and ask your travel clinic about malaria tablets, as malaria occurs throughout Uganda.
Insider Tips
- Book the permit first: lock in your gorilla trekking date, then build the route around it
- Pick the sector carefully: match the Bwindi sector to your lodge to avoid a pre-dawn drive on mountain roads
- Watch the New Year date: chimp treks from 1 January 2027 fall under the higher tariff
- Fly one leg: a light-aircraft flight back from Kihihi or Kisoro saves a full day on the road
- Hire a porter: porters at the trailhead carry your daypack and help on steep, muddy sections
- Consider late November: if dates are flexible, November gorilla permits were discounted to US$600 in 2026
What to Expect on the Ground in December
On a Uganda safari in December, a typical day starts early. Gorilla and chimpanzee treks begin with a morning briefing at the park office, and game drives in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls set off around sunrise, when predators are active and the light is soft. Afternoons are often for boat trips, rest or a nature walk.
If you plan to spend Christmas Day in a park, check with your lodge which activities run that day and book the gorilla permit for the exact date you want, since every trek is tied to a specific day and sector. Allow a buffer day before an international flight in case of slow roads.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time for a Uganda safari?
Yes, a Uganda safari in December is a very good choice. The short rains fade during the month, forest trails in Bwindi and Kibale get easier, and wildlife gathers near water in the savannah parks. The trade-offs are peak demand for gorilla permits and lodges over Christmas and the odd early-December shower.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda in December?
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$800 per person for foreign non-residents in December (checked October 2026). December is not one of the discounted low-season months, which UWA set as April, May and November. Fees can change, so confirm the current rate before you book.
Does it rain in Uganda in December?
It can rain in Uganda in December, mostly in the first half of the month as the short rains taper off. The southwest around Bwindi and Mgahinga is the wettest part of the itinerary, because rainforest gets showers in any month. By the second half of December most days are dry and sunny, with short storms rather than days of steady rain.
How far ahead should I book a Uganda safari in December?
Book a Uganda safari in December four to six months ahead, and earlier if you are travelling between Christmas and New Year. Gorilla permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day, so popular Bwindi sectors sell out first. Secure the permit date, then build the rest of the route around it. Early December dates are usually easier to find.
What should I pack for a Uganda safari in December?
For a Uganda safari in December, pack a light waterproof jacket, long trousers and long sleeves for forest treks, broken-in waterproof boots and gardening gloves for gripping vegetation. Add a warm layer for cool Bwindi mornings, sun protection for the savannah parks, insect repellent, binoculars and your yellow fever certificate. A small daypack with a rain cover is useful on every trek.
Final Thoughts
A Uganda safari in December rewards you with drying trails, green landscapes, strong game viewing near water and comfortable conditions for gorilla and chimpanzee treks. The key is to secure permits early, especially for the festive weeks, and to allow enough days for Uganda’s long drives or to fly one leg.
If you are planning a Uganda safari in December, send us your dates and we will check permit availability and shape a route around it.
Wondering if gorilla permits are still free for your December dates?
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