Things to Do in Uganda in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Uganda
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Fewer tourists at major attractions like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Murchison Falls - you'll actually get permits for gorilla trekking without booking six months ahead, and the trails feel less like a queue. Accommodation prices drop 15-20% compared to peak dry season.
- Lush, green landscapes everywhere - the intermittent rains keep everything vibrant, which means spectacular photography opportunities. The waterfalls are actually flowing with force, unlike the dry season trickle, and Murchison Falls is genuinely impressive.
- Excellent birding season - May catches the tail end of the European migratory birds before they leave, while resident species are still active. You'll spot over 200 species in a single week if you're paying attention, particularly around wetland areas like Mabamba Swamp.
- Lower malaria risk in highland areas - the cooler temperatures at altitude (most gorilla trekking happens at 2,200-2,600 m or 7,200-8,500 ft) mean fewer mosquitoes than you'd encounter in the hot dry season. The southwestern highlands are genuinely pleasant in May.
Considerations
- Unpredictable afternoon rains - you'll get caught in downpours that last 45-90 minutes, typically between 2pm-5pm. This makes planning activities tricky, and some murram (dirt) roads become genuinely difficult to navigate, particularly in Queen Elizabeth National Park and around Fort Portal.
- Gorilla trekking can be muddy and challenging - those 17°C (63°F) mornings feel colder when you're soaked through on steep mountain trails. The humidity makes the climbs harder, and you'll need proper waterproof gear. Budget an extra hour for treks compared to dry season timing.
- Some remote lodges close or reduce services - particularly in Kidepo Valley National Park, where May sits awkwardly between seasons. A handful of smaller camps shut down entirely, and others run on skeleton staff, which means fewer game drive departure times.
Best Activities in May
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Trekking
May is actually one of the smartest months for gorilla permits - you can book 4-6 weeks out instead of the usual 6-9 months for June-September. Yes, the trails are muddier, but the forest is incredibly lush and you'll have fewer people at the briefing points. The gorillas are easier to track because they stay in lower elevations feeding on abundant vegetation. Treks typically take 3-5 hours depending on where the family slept the night before. The 70% humidity makes the climbs tougher, but you're in cloud forest anyway - it's always humid here.
Murchison Falls National Park Game Drives and Boat Safaris
May sits right at the end of the wet season, which means the Nile is flowing powerfully and the falls are genuinely thunderous - worth seeing before the dry season reduces them to a comparative trickle. Game viewing is decent because animals are still concentrated around water sources, though not as predictable as July-August. The boat safari to the falls base is spectacular in May, with hippos and crocodiles everywhere. Morning game drives (starting 6:30am) work better than afternoon ones - you'll avoid the 2pm-4pm rain window. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions if you're lucky, and countless Uganda kob.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Tree-Climbing Lions and Kazinga Channel
The Ishasha sector's tree-climbing lions are active in May, and the fig trees they lounge in are easier to spot when tourist numbers are low. The famous Kazinga Channel boat safari is excellent this month - water levels are high, attracting huge concentrations of hippos, buffalo, and elephants to the shores. You'll see 50-60 hippos in a single 2-hour cruise. The 70% humidity makes midday game drives uncomfortable, so focus on early morning (6am-9am) and late afternoon (4pm-6:30pm) outings. The Maramagambo Forest walks are particularly good in May - lush and green with active primate populations.
Jinja White Water Rafting and Source of the Nile Activities
May is actually ideal for white water rafting - the Nile has high water levels from the rains, making the grade 5 rapids genuinely exciting without being dangerously high like March-April can be. The water is warmer (around 24°C or 75°F) than you'd expect, and the scenery is lush. Full day rafting trips cover 25 km (15.5 miles) with 8-9 major rapids. If rafting isn't your thing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sunset boat cruises are all excellent. The town itself is worth a day - decent cafes, the actual Source of the Nile marker, and Bujagali Falls area.
Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walks
Kibale has the highest concentration of primates in East Africa, and May is genuinely good for chimp tracking - the forest is lush, the chimps are active in the mornings (they tend to rest during afternoon rains), and permits are available with just 2-3 weeks notice. Success rate is around 90% year-round. Treks start at 8am and typically last 2-4 hours. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nearby is excellent for birding in May - over 200 species recorded, and the boardwalk stays navigable even after rains. The area around Fort Portal is beautiful this time of year - rolling tea plantations and crater lakes.
Lake Bunyonyi Relaxation and Canoeing
After muddy gorilla treks, Lake Bunyonyi is the perfect recovery spot - it's bilharzia-free (rare in Uganda) so you can actually swim, and the setting is genuinely stunning with 29 islands dotted across the water. May weather here is pleasant - daytime temperatures around 24°C (75°F), cool evenings around 15°C (59°F). Canoeing between islands takes 2-4 hours depending on your route, and the birdlife is excellent. The lake sits at 1,962 m (6,437 ft) so evenings are cool enough for a sweater. Most people spend 2-3 nights here, either before or after Bwindi. It's genuinely relaxing, not just a stopover.
May Events & Festivals
Martyrs Day at Namugongo
June 3rd is the actual date, but pilgrimages start building through late May with thousands of Ugandans walking to the Namugongo shrines outside Kampala. You'll see groups walking along roadsides throughout the last week of May - it's a genuinely significant religious event for Ugandan Catholics and Anglicans, commemorating 22 converts killed in 1886. If you're in Kampala in late May, the atmosphere is notable, though the main ceremonies happen in early June.