Things to Do in Uganda in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Uganda
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
83°F (28°C)
High Temp
64°F (18°C)
Low Temp
5.2 inches (132 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Afternoon thunderstorms can spit hail at altitude. Seek solid shelter if clouds tower over Mount Elgon. Hypothermia kills.
⚠ River levels rise fast after storms. The Nile can increase 2 m (6.6 ft) within hours, affecting rafting safety. Guides watch gauges.
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March is the last gasp of Uganda's dry season. The dirt roads to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park remain solid before the monsoon turns them to slush, and gorilla trekking hits its stride with 85% success rates.
- + Bird migration peaks now. Shoebill storks crowd Mabamba Swamp while European bee-eaters and kingfishers flood Murchison Falls, delivering the year's finest birdwatching window.
- + Hotel rates fall 25-35% from peak season once mid-March arrives. Yet the weather holds steady for almost every activity, shoulder-season prices with near-peak conditions.
- + Uganda's famous rolex stands (egg-rolled chapati) taste best in March's warm evenings when vendors line Kampala's Acacia Avenue at 6pm sharp, the smell of frying eggs and onions drifting through thick, humid air.
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms hit hard. They charge in around 3pm, soak everything for 45 minutes, then steam rises from Kampala's red earth roads so the humidity feels like 85% for the next hour.
- − March 8-12 kicks off school holidays, local families swarm Lake Victoria beaches at Entebbe, turning quiet sand into weekend chaos of music, grilled tilapia smoke, and kids splashing through the shallows.
- − The sun feels different this close to the equator, UV index 8 means you'll burn in 15 minutes without protection, even when clouds look thick enough to shield you.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
March lands in the sweet spot, dry enough that forest trails avoid muddy nightmares, cool enough that gorillas stay active longer. Trekkers log 4-6 hour encounters instead of the 2-3 hour cap during rainy season. The mist that slides through Bwindi's valleys at 7am gives you the National Geographic shots you've seen.
Booking Tip: Lock in permits 3-4 months early through Uganda Wildlife Authority, March slots sell out fast, even in shoulder season. Licensed operators bundle permits, transport, and accommodation packages (see booking widget below).
Source of the Nile White Water Rafting
March water levels at Jinja hit the perfect balance, rapids hit Class IV-V intensity without morphing into the dangerous Class V monsters of rainy season. The 31°C (88°F) afternoon air makes the 20°C (68°F) river water feel refreshing instead of shocking. You'll share the river with maybe 6-8 other rafts instead of the 20+ that show up in July.
Booking Tip: Reserve 7-10 days ahead for the best time slots. Operators supply all gear including helmets and life jackets, pack quick-dry clothes and river shoes with grip. Morning trips (9am start) dodge the afternoon storms.
Kampala Food Market Tours and Rolex Tasting
March evenings draw out the master rolex makers, vendors at Nakasero Market who've rolled chapatis since 1989. Warm air carries cumin, coriander, and charcoal smoke through the market's tight lanes. Locals eat street food now, so you'll find the city's top goat stew and matoke beside expat-run craft beer stalls that open at 5pm sharp.
Booking Tip: Evening tours (4-7pm) catch both market buzz and dinner rush. Licensed guides steer you through food safety while pointing out stalls locals trust. Small group tours (6-8 people) score better food access than big groups.
Lake Victoria Sunset Fishing Safaris
March sunsets at 6:45pm streak the sky orange-pink over Africa's largest lake, as Nile perch fishermen glide in with the day's catch. The water stays calm in the evening, unlike the choppy chaos of rainy season. Diesel from fishing boats mixes with grilled tilapia cooking on shore while pied kingfishers dive for their own dinner.
Booking Tip: Book afternoon-evening trips (2pm-7pm) to catch both wildlife action and sunset. Licensed operators leave from Ggaba landing site with insured boats and life jackets. Bring layers, lake breeze drops temperatures by 5°C (9°F) after sunset.
Murchison Falls Game Drives and Boat Safaris
March grass stays cropped from the dry season, making wildlife easier to spot across the savanna. Elephants gather at the Nile's edge while lions hunt in the morning's 22°C (72°F) cool. The boat ride to Murchison Falls glides over water that remains clear blue, not the muddy brown that April rains bring. Fewer safari vehicles crowd leopard sightings.
Booking Tip: Plan two days minimum to catch both morning game drives (6:30am start) and afternoon boat safaris (2pm departure). Licensed operators handle park permits and accommodation, book 2-3 weeks ahead for March availability.
Where to Stay in Uganda in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
From $101 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Public Holidays in March
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
International Women's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Good Friday
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Easter Monday
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
International Women's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Uganda Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Uganda's rolex stands shift locations with the weather, when March rains start, the best vendors duck under shop awnings on Kampala Road instead of their usual street corners
Local SIM cards cost less than international roaming. But MTN covers national parks better than Airtel, buy at Entebbe airport on arrival
March 15-31 delivers prime gorilla trekking conditions, the forest floor stays firm underfoot while temperatures fall to comfortable levels that let you handle longer treks without wilting.
Kampala's boda-boda motorcycle taxis slice through traffic faster than anything else. But fix the fare before you swing a leg over, locals hand over 2,000-3,000 UGX for short hops, while tourists routinely hear 10,000 UGX quoted.
Endiro Coffee in Kololo stages the real Uganda coffee experience, they pull beans straight from the Rwenzori Mountains and fire up the roaster on site, doors open 7am-7pm every single day.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't play down equatorial sun strength, March's UV index 8 scorches straight through cloud cover. Slap on sunscreen even when the sky looks dull and grey.
Dragging your feet on gorilla permits is a rookie move, March permits regularly sell out 3 months in advance even though it's shoulder season.
Dodging travel insurance is asking for trouble, March storms can scrub flights from Entebbe and park roads shift from smooth to treacherous as weather swings.
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