Murchison Falls weather: two rainy seasons
Uganda has two main rainy seasons, March to May and September to December. Northern Uganda and parts of the east also get considerable rain from June to August. A universally dry season from June to September is therefore not a safe assumption for Murchison Falls.
The driest months by long-term average are December, January and February. That describes past conditions and does not promise dry tracks on your dates. Check the forecast a few days before you leave and keep a spare day in the plan. If you are comparing dates, the Murchison Falls boat cruise page lists the daily departure times.
Rainfall by month
Long-term monthly averages measured at Masindi, with the seasonal pauses of some activities.
| Month | Rainfall at Masindi | Seasonal notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32 mm | Lowest average of the year |
| February | 56 mm | – |
| March | 107 mm | No scheduled flights to the park |
| April | 162 mm | Highest average of the year, no scheduled flights |
| May | 146 mm | No scheduled flights |
| June | 97 mm | – |
| July | 109 mm | No chimpanzee habituation in Budongo |
| August | 137 mm | No chimpanzee habituation in Budongo |
| September | 141 mm | No chimpanzee habituation in Budongo |
| October | 147 mm | – |
| November | 122 mm | No scheduled flights, no habituation in Budongo |
| December | 48 mm | – |
Masindi is the gateway town on the southern road, and it does not match the lower sections along the Nile and the delta exactly. Read the figures as a pattern, not as a forecast for a boat trip or a particular track. For most visitors who want less rain and every activity available, December to February fits best.
Our pick: a three-day trip
Three days leave room for more than one game drive and boat trip if the weather turns. Check the season on this page before you choose your dates.
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.
Murchison Falls tours and safaris
Boat cruises, game drives and multi-day trips, with live prices and availability for your dates.
Best time to visit Murchison Falls
Rain is only one part of the choice.
If you choose by rainfall alone, December, January and February are the safest bet, followed by June. If you plan around activities, the picture changes. Scheduled flights to the park do not operate in March, April, May and November. Chimpanzee habituation in Budongo is not offered in July, August, September and November. Chimpanzee tracking is a separate activity, so check its availability for your month in the Budongo Forest guide.
No month can be named as the best for the shoebill in the delta, and a sighting cannot be promised in any month. Wet months can make the tracks harder going. Before long drives, ask your lodge for the current state of the tracks.
How rain changes your plans
What to ask before you book.
Boat cruises
The scheduled waterfall cruise leaves at 14:30 from the south bank jetty, with 08:30 and 11:00 on request. The delta cruise leaves at 07:00. Ask the operator what happens if a trip is cancelled because of weather and whether you get a refund or a new date.
Game drives
Park gates are open 07:00 to 19:00. After rain, drives can be slower and some tracks harder to use. A guide on the day knows which routes work.
Chimpanzee tracking
Tracking in Budongo is offered twice a day and a trek usually takes 2 to 4 hours. Wear clothes that dry quickly and bring a rain layer. The habituation experience stops in July, August, September and November.
Flights
The scheduled service needs at least 4 passengers per airstrip. It does not run in March, April, May and November. Charter flights are a separate product.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pick dates, then the activities.
Murchison Falls weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Murchison Falls?
By rainfall, December to February. Scheduled flights run in those months and so does chimpanzee habituation. Rain is still possible in any month.
Is there a dry season?
There are drier months, not a reliably dry season. The main rainy seasons are March to May and September to December, and northern Uganda also gets considerable rain from June to August.
Which month is the rainiest?
April has the highest long-term average at Masindi, 162 mm, followed by May and October at 146 and 147 mm.
Do the scheduled flights run all year?
No. There are no scheduled flights to the park in March, April, May and November. Check the current timetable before you plan around a flight.
Is chimpanzee habituation offered all year?
No. Habituation in Budongo is not offered in July, August, September and November. Chimpanzee tracking is a separate activity.