Uganda Weather in July: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

Nov 06, 2025 0

July is one of the most popular months to visit Uganda, and with good reason. The dry climate and comfortable conditions open the door for a myriad of outdoor activities, from gorilla trekking to safaris to boat cruises on the Nile. Warm temperatures and minimal rainfall throughout the country make July one of the best times to visit Uganda in terms of weather.

Warm temperatures and minimal precipitation throughout the country make July one of the best times to visit Uganda in terms of weather. Average daytime temperatures sit around 25 degrees Celsius. July is by far one of the most popular months to visit Uganda. Warm temperatures and minimal rainfall mean all activities are possible, hiking routes accessible, and lodges open. Although peak season corresponds with higher prices, the fantastic weather conditions make it well worth it.

If you have two weeks to travel, opt for a national parks-focused trip and explore Uganda from top to bottom. Most flights arrive at Entebbe International Airport, and from there, you can spend a night in Entebbe or Kampala, getting your bearings in the country and checking out the Uganda Museum and the Lubiri Palace.

July is one of the best months for safaris and gorilla trekking in southern Uganda. In the national parks, animals congregate around the diminishing water sources, making them easier to spot. By July, the gorillas have retreated from the lowland forests back up to their misty mountain-top fortresses, but the perfect hiking conditions mean the longer treks are still manageable.

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General Weather Conditions in Uganda

Straddling the equator, Uganda has little year-round variation in temperature. Uganda has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. It experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons, with the driest months being June-August and December-February. Here we take a look at all weather seasons in Uganda to help you plan your gorilla tour or wildlife adventure with the right information.

To experience the best of Uganda’s weather and diverse landscapes, the dry seasons from June to August and December to February are generally considered the ideal times to visit. These months offer pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and dry conditions, making it perfect for outdoor activities like wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking, and hiking.

Uganda enjoys a warm, tropical climate with pleasant weather throughout the year, characterized by two distinct rainy seasons from March to May and September to November. The average annual temperature in Uganda ranges from 17°C (63°F) in the southwest to 25°C (77°F) in the northeast.

The hottest months are January and February when the average daytime range is 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F) with peaks of up to 40°C/104°F in the far north. The south has two Wet seasons: from September to November and from March to May, but it can rain at any time.

Dry Seasons

June to August: This is the extended dry season, offering warm days with average afternoon temperatures of 27°C (81°F) and cooler mornings at 16°C (61°F).
December to February: The shorter dry season boasts similar daytime temperatures around 28°C (82°F) and morning lows of 16°C (61°F).

Wet Seasons

March to May: This is the longer rainy season, with more rainfall throughout the country and a peak in April in the south.
September to November: This is the shorter rainy season, with slightly less rain on average compared to the March-May period, but still offers a lush and vibrant landscape.

Kampala Weather in July

In Kampala, the capital city, temperatures range between 77ºF (25ºC) and 61ºF (16ºC), and less than an inch of rain falls during the month.

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Expect daytime maximum temperatures of 26°C in Uganda in July based on long-term weather averages. Daytime temperatures usually reach 26°C in Kampala, Uganda in July with low heat and humidity, falling to 15°C at night.

Daily high temperatures are around 77°F, rarely falling below 74°F or exceeding 81°F. The lowest daily average high temperature is 77°F on July 11. Daily low temperatures are around 63°F, rarely falling below 60°F or exceeding 65°F.

The UV index will be moderate at this time of year, so not something to worry about for the average person. However, if you're going to be outside for long periods it's worth wearing a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and UV-blocking sunglasses.

There are normally 7 hours of bright sunshine each day in Kampala, Uganda in July - that's 55% of daylight hours. There are usually 11 days with some rain in Kampala, Uganda in July and the average monthly rainfall is 64mm.

The chance of a wet day over the course of July is very rapidly increasing, starting the month at 34% and ending it at 48%. The average sliding 31-day rainfall during July in Kampala is increasing, starting the month at 1.8 inches, when it rarely exceeds 3.9 inches or falls below 0.5 inches, and ending the month at 2.5 inches, when it rarely exceeds 4.5 inches or falls below 1.0 inches. The lowest average 31-day accumulation is 1.8 inches on July 8.

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The average hourly wind speed in Kampala is gradually decreasing during July, decreasing from 6.8 miles per hour to 5.9 miles per hour over the course of the month. The hourly average wind direction in Kampala throughout July is predominantly from the south, with a peak proportion of 79% on July 2.

The chance that a given day will be muggy in Kampala is gradually decreasing during July, falling from 56% to 51% over the course of the month. The lowest chance of a muggy day during July is 47% on July 20.

Over the course of July in Kampala, the length of the day is essentially constant. The shortest day of the month is July 31, with 12 hours, 8 minutes of daylight and the longest day is July 1, with 12 hours, 8 minutes of daylight. The earliest sunrise of the month in Kampala is 6:49 AM on July 1 and the latest sunrise is 2 minutes, 51 seconds later at 6:52 AM on July 28. The earliest sunset is 6:57 PM on July 1 and the latest sunset is 2 minutes, 24 seconds later at 7:00 PM on July 25.

Regional Climate Variations

For a smallish country, Uganda has considerable regional climate variation, influenced both by altitude and by the local effects of some of Africa’s largest lakes and mountains. For this reason, the Dry and Wet seasons for many parks differ from the national norm. In general, southern and central Uganda have a similar tropical climate to the capital city Kampala. The city has a slightly milder climate due to its location near Lake Victoria.

The weather in Uganda’s northern region differs from the southern region in the following ways: The northern parts of Uganda have a hot and dry climate, with a distinct dry season from December to March. In contrast, the southern parts of Uganda, including the areas around Lake Victoria, have an equatorial climate that is more humid and experiences rainfall throughout the year.

The parks in the south of the country tend to be a bit warmer during the day and cooler at night. The highlands of the southwest (which includes Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) are considerably colder. Average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning.

Climate in Various Parks and Towns

Here is a summary of the climate and weather in different regions and national parks of Uganda:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Wet yet mild, with daytime temperatures around 23°C (73°F) and nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
Kibale National Park: Moist and temperate, with daytime temperatures around 27°C and nighttime temperatures around 15°C.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Mild to cold and wet, with daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F).
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Warm and stable year-round, with daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F) and nighttime temperatures around 17°C (63°F).
Murchison Falls National Park: Tropical and hot, with uniform temperatures year-round, daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F) and nighttime temperatures around 18°C (64°F).
Lake Mburo National Park: Tropical, with temperatures: Daytime around 27°C (81°F), nighttime around 14°C (57°F) on average
Kidepo Valley National Park: Hot and dry, with temperatures: Can reach up to 32°C (90°F) during the day
Semuliki National Park: Tropical, with Temperatures: Daytime around 28-30°C (82-86°F), cooler at night
Kampala: Tropical, with Temperatures: Average daytime highs around 26-28°C (79-82°F)
Entebbe: Tropical, with Temperatures: Average daytime highs around 26-28°C (79-82°F)
Kisoro: Temperate, with Temperatures: Daytime around 20-22°C (68-72°F), nighttime around 10-12°C (50-54°F)
Jinja: Tropical, with Temperatures: Average daytime highs around 26-28°C (79-82°F)

Activities to Enjoy in Uganda During July

The dry climate and comfortable conditions in July open the door for a myriad of outdoor activities:

Gorilla Trekking: July is peak season for gorilla trekking. By July, the gorillas have retreated from the lowland forests back up to their misty mountain-top fortresses, but the perfect hiking conditions mean the longer treks are still manageable.
Safaris: Game drives will have top-notch sightings as wildlife congregate around watering holes and are easy to spot.
Boat Cruises on the Nile: Soak up the sunny days in Jinja.
Cultural Experiences: July is also a great time to learn about local culture and age-old traditions in small villages sprinkled across the country. Visit the Kasoga Community Experience to learn about the craft and skills involved in living in a fishing village and try your hand at milking cows and turning milk into yogurt.

Besides the mountain gorillas, there are also plenty of other wildlife to see, and July is a great time to go on walking safaris and game drives. With the lack of precipitation, animals are easier to spot as they congregate around water sources.

Tips for Planning Your Trip

Since July is the first month of Uganda's peak season, lodges and activities will be open and the area will be buzzing with excitement. You will want to book accommodation early and secure your gorilla permit as soon as possible, though, since they tend to sell out quickly.

You'll want to bring warmer layers if you head south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, as nighttime temperatures can drop to 55ºF (13ºC). Along with the influx of tourists brings an increase in flight, food, and tour prices, and it becomes more challenging to find cheap accommodations.

Key Considerations:

Book accommodations and gorilla permits well in advance.
Pack warmer layers for cooler evenings, especially in the highlands.
Be prepared for higher prices due to peak season.