Fort Portal weather and the seasons
Western Uganda has two rainy seasons. The heavier rain falls in March to May and September to November. The national weather service now describes the second season as September to December. The months in between are drier, and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale runs in all of them.
Rain can disrupt travel. In the rainy seasons, road traffic can suffer, and floods and landslides can happen. Plan buffer time, especially for the road between Kampala and Fort Portal. You can compare the routes in our Kampala to Fort Portal guide.
Best time to visit Kibale
The trek runs all year. Your choice depends on comfort and price.
Trekking in every season
Chimpanzee trekking and habituation run all year. The rainy season can even help, because it affects how the animals find food. There is no general park closure for the rains, though paths can be wet and showers can come in any month.
Drier months
December to February and June to July are the drier stretches in the table below. That helps on muddy trails, but the weather and the chance to find the animals are separate questions.
Lower permit prices
A reduced trekking permit has been announced for April, May and November: $200 for foreign non-residents and $150 for foreign residents, against $250 and $200 for the rest of the year. Discounted permits cannot be rebooked. This is a price rule, not a sign of better or worse weather. Check the current amount before you book.
Flights and the rains
Some scheduled Entebbe to Kasese flights do not run in March, April, May and November, while others do. Check the current timetable before you plan around a flight.
Our pick: a one-day trek
A one-day trek with the permit included is easy to fit into a drier stretch of your trip.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kibale tours by season
Guided Kibale trips and chimpanzee treks from Fort Portal and Kampala, with live prices and availability. Check the dates against the season you want.
Monthly temperature and rain near Kibale
Long-term averages for Kasese, a town in the same region, as a guide to the pattern.
| Month | Max °C | Min °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30.9 | 15.8 | 27.9 |
| February | 31.1 | 16.7 | 37.8 |
| March | 30.3 | 17.0 | 83.9 |
| April | 29.6 | 17.3 | 130.1 |
| May | 29.8 | 16.8 | 100.2 |
| June | 29.8 | 16.1 | 45.8 |
| July | 29.7 | 15.5 | 36.7 |
| August | 30.0 | 16.5 | 67.5 |
| September | 30.3 | 16.1 | 87.9 |
| October | 29.3 | 16.1 | 105.5 |
| November | 28.8 | 16.3 | 104.2 |
| December | 29.7 | 15.3 | 62.3 |
These figures are long-term averages for Kasese and show the pattern of wet and dry months. Check the forecast for Fort Portal shortly before you go. Rainfall peaks in April, with October and November close behind. December to February and June to July are the drier months for trails.
Reading the months
What the table says about each stretch of the year.
January and February
The driest start to the year, with 27.9 and 37.8 mm of rain. Highs reach 31 °C.
March to May
Rain climbs from 83.9 mm in March to 130.1 mm in April, then eases to 100.2 mm in May.
June to August
June and July are the other dry stretch with 45.8 and 36.7 mm. August rises to 67.5 mm.
September to December
Rain runs at 87.9, 105.5 and 104.2 mm from September to November, then drops to 62.3 mm in December.
Temperatures
Highs stay between 28.8 and 31.1 °C all year, and lows between 15.3 and 17.3 °C. The season changes the rain more than the temperature.
The 2026 outlook
A national picture, not a daily forecast.
September to December
The weather service expects mostly normal to above-average rainfall and warmer conditions across the country in this season. It is an outlook for all of Uganda, not a forecast for Fort Portal.
What to do with it
Build slack into your plans and keep your trek day flexible. If you also plan gorilla trekking in the south-west, see the best time to visit Bwindi. For the animals you may meet, read about the chimpanzees of Kibale.
Plan the rest of your trip
More pages for your Kibale days.
Kibale weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Kibale?
Trekking runs all year. The drier months in the table are December to February and June to July. The wetter months are March to May and September to November, and the weather service now counts the second rainy season as September to December.
When is the rainy season in Fort Portal?
The heavier rain falls in March to May and September to November. April has the highest rainfall in the table above.
Does chimpanzee trekking stop in the rainy season?
No. Trekking and habituation run all year. Paths can be wet, so allow for mud.
Are permits cheaper in some months?
A reduced trekking permit has been announced for April, May and November, at $200 for foreign non-residents and $150 for foreign residents. Check the current amount before you book.
How warm is it in Kibale?
Highs stay between 28.8 and 31.1 °C all year, and lows between 15.3 and 17.3 °C, based on long-term averages for Kasese.