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A green season safari in Uganda’s northern parks: The ultimate guide to planning your trip and choos



There is a chance of rain, the temperature is getting higher and the humidity is building. It's still a good time to go as rates are lower and safari is excellent. At this time of year the migration herds are in the southeast of the Serengeti for calving season, so the Ndutu Plains are busy but it is amazing to see so many animals in one place.




A green season safari in Uganda’s northern parks



Peak season. The end of the migration is still in the north, with herds on both sides of the Kenya and Tanzania borders and high numbers of elephant in Tarangire. The northern circuit can be very busy, but it is less busy in the south, so for those who want to avoid crowds it's best to visit the southern parks.


That said, this relatively small country is home to an exceptional variety of landscapes, ecosystems, animals, bird life and mountains. There are both typical East African savannahs, as well as central African rain forests. With 10 national parks and several nature/game reserves, Uganda has the big five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino) so the safari experience is good, but the country as a whole, is more renowned for its primate and bird life experience.


Uganda receives abundant rainfall, so the country is always green. The temperatures are warm throughout the year but there are better times to visit than others. The period of June to September is regarded one of the best as it is the dry season, so the wildlife is reliable and offers good trekking conditions for the chimpanzees and gorillas. Another good time to visit is Uganda is December to January, also offering dry and warm temperatures.


Located in the northern tip of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is a vast wilderness in the remote Karamoja region, on the border of South Sudan. The landscape is compromised by spacious grasslands, seasonal rivers and mountains ranges leading up through Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan.


Affordability and availabilityThe nightly rate of safari accommodation can be up to 70% lower than peak season at some camps. And with availability in high season 2021 already proving tight (thanks to COVID-19 postponements and existing bookings), the green season is a real opportunity where finding space is less of a battle, and the experience is still second to none.


During the green season months in Serengeti, you willsee a dramatic drop in the prices of everything. And this is a good reason foranyone to go at that time. You can even afford to stay longer to enjoy thewilderness more.


This is probably the biggest reason to go on safariduring the green season. Because after the rain the entire land becomes green andlush.The trees become full flushand the colorful flowers bloom across the landscape. Stormy clouds add morecolor and a dramatic view.


In southern Africa, the winter season, or the dryseason the mornings are downright freezing. You will need to carry a beanie,scarf, gloves and a very warm coat.Goingout in the early morning in an open the hardest of safari-goers.If you go during the Green Season, youwill find a smooth and soothing morning as the temperature is not so low duringthis time.


The green season delivers the first rains, the dramatic skies, and the new grass. This creates the perfect breeding place for hundreds of young antelope like springbok, impala, kudu, waterbuck, and a host of others. Insects are also prolific but if you are a person who loves butterflies and moths, fireflies & fire lilies, frogs, and toads, then you are going to love this season.


During the dry season months, which include June through October, thelandscape slowly dries, the water of the river dries up and the air is filledwith dust. But the contrast, during the Green Season, the air becomes wonderfullyclear and free from the dust and haze creating the best scenery of Africa. Andin the green season, the sunrises are more arresting and the sunsets moreastounding!


When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in June, July and August.


When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in December, January and February,


When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in September, October and November.


Uganda is a great destination to experience wildlife viewing in both forest and savannah. Not to be missed is gorilla tracking in Bwindi; while chimps can easily be spotted in Kibale National Park. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks offer wonderful savannah safaris with good wildlife viewing, but animals are not as abundant compared to the top parks of Kenya and Tanzania.


Uganda can be visited all year round, with temperatures barely changing throughout the seasons. However, the country is at its best during its two dry seasons between December and February and between June and August, when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Game spotting in national parks is also good at this time, as well as between February and March and from September through to early October when large numbers of wildlife can be seen at waterholes. Uganda is also fabulous for bird spotting all year round.


The Green Season is a safari industry phrase that refers to the rainy summer months in Africa that are considered the low season for safari travel. During these wet months, the vegetation in wildlife reserves is at its peak. Lush grasses grow tall and overflowing water sources cause herds to scatter far and wide.


Travel Tips: While summer in South Africa* runs from November to April, the rains fall in the northern half of the country where the Kruger National Park is located. Cape Town and its surrounds are hot and dry over the summer months; they experience their rainy season during the winter months from June to August.


This is the period between November to March. There are usually short rains between November to December. January to March is usually rainless with hot weather. In this period, there is less crowding in hotels and parks. This allows for an authentic safari experience as you view wildlife with fewer distractions from a crowded park. Lodge/Camp accommodation and other services are relatively less expensive.


I recently returned from my second trip to South Africa! It was also my second visit to the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, which borders the famous Kruger National Park. This time around, I did a green season safari, which means warmer weather, longer daylight, and lots and lots of babies!


February is part of Uganda's dry season and therefore an ideal time to visit Uganda. The pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and dry conditions are perfect for outdoor activities like primate trekkings, safari game drives, boat tours, and hiking and rafting.


Apart from the wet weather, April (just like March) is one of the most beautiful times to visit Uganda as the reserves and national parks are lush green with lots of birdlife and wildlife, and the top of the trees are covered in mist. If you want to escape the rain, you can try your luck in Murchison Falls National Park as South-West Uganda has a drier climate.


June is the start of the peak season in Uganda and one of the best times of the year to visit the Pearl of Africa. The heavy rains as part of the wet season have passed and left a lush green environment with clear blue skies. An amazing time for wildlife viewing with photogenic sceneries everywhere. A perfect period for photo safaris in Uganda.


A must-visit national park after the rainy season is Murchison Falls as the falls still flow with enormous power. Although June is Uganda's peak season, it doesn't feel busy or overcrowded in the parks and reserves.


July is one of the best months for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and Big 5 safaris in Uganda. In the national parks like Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo, or Murchison Falls, the wildlife congregates around waterholes or along rivers, making them easier to find. July is also a good month to see the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha.


August is among the most popular months to visit Uganda, with the national parks being at their best for a safari in August. The dry season is good for wildlife spotting as there is less vegetation to obstruct the view and a variety of wildlife can be seen at waterholes.


October is part of the short rainy season in Uganda and rains are more frequent than in September. However, visiting Uganda in October still offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife as vegetation remains sparse and animals continue to search for waterholes. All national parks in Africa's Pearl remain open, they just aren't at their best.


Considered a wet season, November sees dry plains gradually turn emerald green in Uganda's National Parks due to heavy rain showers. Although the rains are less heavy than those of the long rainy season from March to May, it's possible that lodges located in high-rainfall regions close down. Also, expect muddier road conditions and slippery paths when tracking primates.


November is a shoulder season in Uganda, meaning prices for accommodation and activities like gorilla trekking can be cheaper. Uganda in November is also the start of the migratory birdwatching season; a perfect time to see migratory birds starting from the north and flying to the south of Uganda. The lush green landscapes and the blossoming vegetation look amazing. wildlife viewing can be a bit harder due to the thick vegetation, but not impossible. You can still see plenty of wildlife in the National Parks of Uganda.


This unforgettable 13-night green season safari takes you to major wildlife parks and lodges in Tanzania where the wildebeest return after their migration to breed in vast numbers. Followed by a visit to the world wonder - Victoria Falls. What could possibly be better? 2ff7e9595c


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