Best time of year for a gorilla or chimp trek

Gorillas and chimpanzees can be spotted year-round, but as you will be hiking through dense rainforest to see them, certain times of the year are better than others to plan your trek. The high season for gorilla trekking is from July to September, as this time coincides with European & North American summer holidays, and it is also the dry season in East Africa. During this time, the drier trails should make your trek easier. If you are planning to trek during this time, make sure you book your permit well in advance, as permits can book out 6 - 12 months in advance at this time of year.

Another dry season also takes place from January to February. This can be an ideal time to plan your trek, as you will enjoy dry trails that will make for an easier trek, and you will avoid the larger crowds that can converge on East Africa midyear during European & North American summer.

March to May and October to November are considered low season, and some lodges and camps across East Africa close down (particularly in April and May). During these times, some roads may also become hard to travel on. These times of year also tend to have less favourable weather for trekking with gorillas and chimps, with higher rainfall that can make trekking a lot more difficult, with slick and overgrown trails.

Our month-by-month breakdown of trekking with gorillas and chimps in East Africa will help you to decide when the best time of year is to plan your trek.

Best time of the year for gorilla or chimp trekking 

January 

Thanks to the warm weather, gorillas and chimpanzees are often on the move at this time of year. This is a great time of year to see these animals when they are active. With clear skies and little rain, plus fewer crowds than midyear, we highly recommend trekking in January.

February
The weather can become very warm at this time of year, but the dry conditions make for good trekking conditions, allowing you to avoid muddy tracks. February usually has fewer tourists. 

March
March is the beginning of the "long rains" in Africa which usually start mid-March. The beginning of March can be a fantastic time to trek with gorillas or chimps because there are often very few people. It is also a great time of year to add a safari in Tanzania, where the wildebeest will be giving birth around the Ndutu region. 

April
April is often the wettest month of the year and well into East Africa’s low season. Many lodges and camps close at this time of year, and some roads become inaccessible due to wet weather. If your budget is very restricted, this could be an opportunity to score a discounted rate on the accommodation that remains open, but you will need to be well prepared for wet weather.

May
Rainfall totals are slightly lower than in April, but wet weather continues through May and it is still the tourism low season for trekking with gorillas and chimps. We don’t recommend this time of year for trekking with gorillas or chimps, due to the impact the rain can have on gorilla and chimp trekking trails.

June
June marks the start of the peak tourist season and the second dry season commences. June can be a very good month to trek with gorillas or chimps if you want to avoid the crowds. Lodges are often cheaper in June than in July to September. You will need to book trekking permits, tours and accommodation well in advance in June.

July
If your goal is to see plenty of animals on your trip, this is a great time of year to plan your trip - gorilla and chimp trekking is made easier thanks to dry trails and the dry weather conditions mean that wildlife tend to congregate around water sources, making them easier to spot on safari.

August
East Africa’s wildlife remains active in August and the dry season continues, making August one of the best times of year for gorilla and chimp trekking, as well as safaris and national park visits. It is also the busiest month, with accommodation at premium rates.

September
Septemer is a fantastic month to trek with gorillas and chimps, or go on safari. The weather is usually very nice with warm days and blue skies. There are fewer tourists than in July and August and the wildlife viewing is wonerful

October
You may experience some wet weather at this time of year as the dry season comes to an end. This may be a more challenging time of year for gorilla and chimp trekking as trails become muddy and slick if it rains. However, if you don’t mind the risk of a more difficult trek, this can be a good time of year to save money on accommodation and other travel costs. 

November
Rainfall increases in November and it is best to travel in October or December if possible. If you have to trek with gorillas or chimps in November, be well prepared for rain, although, there is usually less rain than in April and May. 

December
The rain begins to ease in December and this can be a great time to trek while avoiding the crowds that visit the region midyear. Where possible, avoid the 10 days around Christmas, as this is often very busy and accommodation rates surge. 

If you’re ready to start planning your trip, check out our 'Ultimate guide to trekking with mountain gorillas and chimp'.

Upcoming gorilla and chimp itinerary ideas