BEST TIME TO VISIT MURCHISON FALLS FOR A UGANDA SAFARI

Best Time, Seasons & Months To Go On Safari In Murchison Falls?

Like the rest of Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park experiences a relatively stable climate throughout the year. Being so close to the equator, the weather at Murchison Falls does not offer extreme conditions unlike some of the countries in the northern hemisphere, making it a perfect year-round destination. However, global warming has resulted in unpredictable weather patterns all over the world, and some guests may have to deal with some unexpected conditions during their travels in Uganda.

On average, maximum daytime temperatures range from 29ºC (84 F) to 34ºC (93 F) and drop to 18ºC (64 F) to 21ºC (70 F) during the evening and overnight period. Murchison Falls Park experiences a hot-dry season from January to March, and temperatures range higher — around 33ºC (91 F) to 34ºC (93 F) – during the peak of the day.

Different Monthly Seasons At Murchison Falls - Dry, Hot, Wet Rainy & Cool

Note On Wet Rainy Season For Murchison Falls National Park: In comparison to other parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the precipitation in millimeters is less in Murchison Falls National Park. This is primarily due to the hot-humid equatorial climate based on its geographical location in western Uganda. Expect thunderstorms during the rainy season.

1. Dry Months, Best Time & High Season For Murchison Falls: December, January and February are the driest, most humid and hottest months but not the peak season of travel in Uganda. Expect few guests compared to the peak season.
2. Dry & Wet Rainy Months, Very Good Time & Mid-Peak Season For Murchison Falls: March, June, and July offer a mixture of dry and wet periods.
3. Wet Rainy Months, Good Time & Peak Season For Murchison Falls: August and September are both rainy and peak periods with high numbers of visitors into Murchison Falls.
4. Wet Rainy Season, Least Best Time & Low Season For Murchison Falls: April, May, October, and November. These months are also part of the lush green season.
5. Hot & Cool Months: There is only 1-4 Celsius degrees variation in temperature in between months at Murchison Falls. January and February are the hottest months with highs of 34 C (93 F) during the day and lows of 21 C (70 F) at night while July to October are the coolest months with highs of 29 C (84 F) during the day and lows of 18 C (64 F) at night. All other months have a range from 30 C (86 F) to 32 C (90 F) during the daytime while nighttime temperatures average from 19 C (66 F) to 20 C (68 F).
6. Best Time For Birdwatching Safaris In Murchison Falls: The best time for birding safaris in Murchison Falls Park is from January to March when it is the driest. The migratory birds arrive in November and leave by April. The peak rainy months of April and May and August to November brings abundance of food that leads to a lot of avian activity though trails can be slippery, and also roads and airstrips can be challenging to navigate.

Key Takeaways

• Murchison Falls Park has a hotter and drier equatorial climate which is much drier and warmer than Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth Parks
• Best time to visit is in the dry seasons of June and July and December through March
• The peak wet and rainy season months are April, May, October and November
• Maximum daytime temperatures ranging from 29ºC (84 F) to 34ºC (93 F) and minimum nighttime temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64 F) to 21ºC (70 F) with slightly higher temperatures from January to March
• Enchantingly beautiful during the wet seasons because of an explosion of new plant life, economical safari vacationing in Uganda because of the lowered room prices

Visiting Murchison Falls During the Dry Seasons - Is It The Best Time To Go On Safari Based On Climate, Temperatures & Weather Conditions?

Murchison Falls National Park (view trip itinerary) experiences two dry seasons, which are ideal safari vacation times for discerning guests who want to avoid the tourist crowds arrivals in August and September. The first starts in December and continues through early parts of March, and the second dry season falls in June and July. As in other parts of the country, the reserve also experiences two wet seasons though to a lesser degree when compared to other parks in Uganda: the long rains and the short rains. The long wet season starts in August and continues until November, while the short wet season runs from the end of March through May.

If you’re looking for recommendations about the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park, the dry seasonal months of December to March and June to July is considered the perfect time for a safari holiday. The vegetation is more sparse during this period, which makes it easier for tour guests in Uganda to track and spot wildlife. Because of the low availability of water in other locations, animals are more likely to converge on the riverbanks and waterholes to drink. You may also find that there are fewer bugs during the dry season, which lowers the risk of malaria.

Wet Seasons In Murchison Falls Park & How To Plan Activities During The Rainy Period?

In the wet season, Murchison Falls National Park takes on an incredible beauty, thanks to the lush greenery that accompanies the rains. The weather is also somewhat cooler, though you may find that the muddier roads make logistics difficult during your safari. During the wet season, animals are still there, but they’re more scattered and finding them may take longer.

Most lodges and camps at Murchison Falls (where to stay) offer discounts on room rates during this period, which makes touring the reserve in the wet season a good option if you’re on a tighter budget. Further, note that it does not rain continuously throughout the day, and you can wait for the skies to clear and the sun to come out, and reschedule your game drives, nature walks, and boat trips to match the weather conditions of the day where possible.

Other Considerations When Planning Your Safari Dates For Murchison Falls Park

It’s also helpful to note that the mostly semi-dry season in Murchison Falls Park (June-August) coincides with the summer months in the northern hemisphere. Many guests from North America and Europe prefer to plan their safari to Africa while schools are closed for summer. Bring your children to this natural wonderland and amaze them with the beauty of wild fauna, scenic vistas and lush flora. Not only is this a good time to plan a trip, but you will instill the necessity of wildlife conservation in the minds of the future custodians. You can also consider taking a break from the northern countries’ harsh winter from December to February, when the weather is warmer in this part of Uganda.

When you visit Murchison Falls National Park in August and September, you will likely note that there is a high footfall of tourists. That’s because most visitors like to visit when the Great Wildebeest Migration travels through the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya. Combining a trip to these destinations is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.