April is the main rainy season in East Africa and the quietest, best-value month for a safari. Uganda’s gorilla permits drop to US$600 and chimp permits to US$200, Rwanda offers a 30% gorilla permit discount from November to May when combined with Nyungwe or Akagera, and many lodges offer green-season rates. Expect afternoon downpours, muddy trails and lush scenery.
Key takeaways
- Uganda gorilla permits US$600 and Kibale chimp permits US$200.
- Rwanda 30% gorilla permit discount (Nov–May, with conditions).
- Green-season lodge rates and very few visitors.
- Rain usually falls in heavy afternoon showers.
- Some Zanzibar hotels and Serengeti camps close.
April is East Africa’s long-rains month. For many travellers that sounds off-putting, but April is also the month of empty parks, green landscapes, newborn animals and the best prices of the year, especially for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Uganda: the low-season gorilla permit
The Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced low-season permit rates for April, May and November: US$600 for gorilla tracking instead of US$800, and US$200 for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale instead of US$250. These permits must be paid at booking and cannot be rescheduled. With fewer visitors, you often share your trek with a smaller group. Read our gorilla permit guide.
Forest trails in Bwindi are muddier, so good boots, gaiters and a porter are well worth it. The savannah parks are green, and many animals have young.
Rwanda: permit discounts
In Rwanda, a 30% discount on the US$1,500 gorilla permit applies from November to May when you also stay in Nyungwe or Akagera national parks; conditions apply. Rwanda’s good roads make April travel straightforward.
Tanzania and Kenya
In Tanzania, the migration herds move through the central and western Serengeti, and some seasonal camps close. The Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire remain good. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is green and very quiet, with resident big cats. Expect some muddy roads and occasional changes to plans.
Zanzibar
April is the wettest month on Zanzibar, and many beach hotels close. If you want a beach, consider waiting until June, or combine your safari with a few days at Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Kivu instead.
Weather and what to pack
- Heavy showers, usually in the afternoon or evening; mornings are often clear.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers, gaiters and waterproof boots.
- A dry bag for cameras and phones, and quick-drying clothes.
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes are more active in the rains.
Why travel in April
- Lowest prices for permits and many lodges.
- Quiet parks: often you will have sightings to yourself.
- Green scenery and dramatic skies for photography.
- Young animals and excellent birding.
A sample April journey
Our 5-day gorillas and chimpanzees safari is ideal in April, using both low-season permits. For a longer gorilla encounter, the 4-day gorilla habituation experience is quieter than ever.
April at a glance
| Country | Conditions | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | Long rains | US$600 gorilla permits |
| Rwanda | Long rains | 30% permit discount (conditions) |
| Kenya | Long rains | Empty, green parks |
| Tanzania | Long rains | Central Serengeti herds |
| Zanzibar | Wettest month | Many hotels closed |
Birding in April
April is a superb month for birders: resident species are breeding, forests ring with song, and wetlands are full. Bwindi’s Albertine Rift endemics are vocal and easier to locate by call.
Events and holidays
On 7 April Rwanda begins Kwibuka, the national commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which lasts 100 days. The first week is a period of mourning: some activities are quieter, and visitors are welcome to show respect. Easter often falls in April, so lodges can be busier over the holiday weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Is April a bad month for a safari?
Not at all, if you don’t mind rain. Wildlife is still there, parks are empty and permits and lodges are cheaper.
How much is a gorilla permit in April?
US$600 in Uganda (low-season rate for April, May and November), non-reschedulable. In Rwanda, US$1,500 with a 30% discount when combined with Nyungwe or Akagera stays; conditions apply.
Does it rain all day?
Usually not. Rain tends to fall in heavy afternoon or evening showers, with mornings often dry.
Is Zanzibar good in April?
April is the wettest month on Zanzibar, and many hotels close. We recommend a Uganda or Rwanda focus instead.
Where is the migration in April?
Moving through the central and western Serengeti as the rains spread.
Do all lodges stay open in April?
Most lodges in Uganda and Rwanda stay open, but some seasonal camps in Tanzania and many Zanzibar hotels close. We plan around what is open.
Can I combine April gorillas with a beach?
Zanzibar is very wet in April, so we suggest Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda or Lake Kivu in Rwanda for a relaxing finish instead.
Is the gorilla habituation experience available in April?
Yes, in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector, at the standard US$1,500 price; the low-season discount applies only to standard gorilla tracking and chimp tracking.
Written by our Kampala-based planners and guides, who arrange these trips every season. Prices and rules are checked before every quote.
