Falling at the beginning of the dry season, June is one of the best months to explore Uganda. Muddy roads and trails will have dried, yet forests will be beautiful and lush, making trekking an incredible experience in June. Book ahead to avoid missing out on permits and lodging, and expect more people out on the trails compared to the previous months, but in return, you'll enjoy plenty of warm, dry days perfect for exploring.

Weather

As June marks the first month after Uganda's longer wet season, you can look forward to mainly warm and dry days with the occasional rain shower. Average temperatures throughout the country hover between 68ºF (20ºC) and 79ºF (26ºC), and sunshine becomes much more abundant than rain. You'll still want to prepare for sporadic rainfall and the occasional cooler day in the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Still, roads destroyed during the previous months' heavy rains will again be cleared, and any bad weather won't affect your travel plans.

Crowds & Costs

June is a tale of two halves regarding crowds and costs in Uganda. Early in the month, when the chance of rain is highest, you'll find Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are still quiet, and many tour operators and shops are just beginning to reopen after the rainy season. However, in central and north Uganda, especially toward the middle and end of June, tourist numbers have again reached their peak.

Prices also rise along with the increase in visitors in mid and late June. Permits are back to their full cost and should be booked in advance to avoid missing out. In addition, lodges in national parks begin to fill up, and you'll see more tour groups out exploring. Even so, Uganda doesn't see massive tourism like other African countries, so you can still enjoy intimate wildlife encounters and quiet trails even at its busiest.

Where to Go

With lush vegetation from the previous months' rains and a distinct lack of precipitation, June is one of the best times to head south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On a four-day mountain gorilla adventure, you'll do just that. After arriving in Entebbe and checking out the capital city of Kampala, you'll make your way to Uganda's southwest corner and embark on a three to six-hour trek into the jungle to see the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Or, to get even farther off the beaten path, continue south to Mgahinga National Park to search for them there.

Thanks to the recent rains, June is a great time to visit Murchison Falls National Park, whose famous waterfall will be particularly impressive, and lions, buffalo, elephants, and leopards will be enjoying the Victoria Nile's cool waters. Other popular national parks to visit in June include Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its population of lions that prey on antelope, and Rwenzori National Park, a great spot to trek through the montane forest filled with colorful mosses. If you have time, add on a trip to Lake Mburo National Park, home to the country's largest populations of zebra and leopards.

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What to Do

As long as you're up for a bit of an adventure, June is one of the best times to go in search of chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. These majestic animals, who came down from the high mountains of the Western Rift Valley during the rainy season, will be easier to see without trekking deep into the jungle. After just a few hours of searching the thick forest alongside a guide, you can watch mountain gorillas feed, play, and go about their lives for an entire hour before returning to base.

Those looking to see Uganda's other impressive wildlife without going through the dense bush will also be spoiled for choice. Head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to search for the rare white rhino, embark on a game drive along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park searching for hippos, and watch monkeys playing in the trees above you in the Kalinzu Central Nature Reserve. You also can't miss a trip to Kidepo National Park, whose expansive savanna dotted with rivers and hills makes the perfect home for cheetahs, African wild dogs, and unique bird of prey species.

At the start and end of your Uganda trip, it's well worth spending a few days in Entebbe and Kampala. Check out Kabaka's Palace, the historic seat of the kings of Buganda, learn about Uganda's culture and traditions at the Ndere Cultural Center, and get unique gifts and souvenirs to bring home from the Buganda Craft Market. From Entebbe, you can also take a boat cruise to the island of Ngamaba, located on Lake Victoria, and home to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Events in June

Festival of the Ugandan Martyrs, Namugongo. In honor of the 45 Christians martyred between 1885 and 1887, Ugandans and pilgrims from across the world make their way to a shrine at Namugongo to pray.

National Heroes Day, nationwide. Every year on June 9, Uganda commemorates those who lost their lives during the 1981 to 1986 Ugandan Bush War. Across the country, stores and businesses will be closed in remembrance.

Traveling to Uganda in June? Check out these great itineraries

Gorillas and Big Game Safari - 6 Days. Go in search of lions, elephants, mountain gorillas, and more on this nature-packed itinerary exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Uganda's National Parks: Kidepo to Bwindi - 14 Days. In just two weeks, you'll explore five national parks, ponder impressive waterfalls, and get close to big game, primates, and birds on this well-rounded Uganda itinerary.

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