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Rwanda offers unforgettable gorilla trekking tours and an abundance of diverse and spectacular safari parks.
The best time to visit Rwanda
The weather in Rwanda is marked by one short dry season, one short wet season, one long dry season, and one long wet season. Trekking and hiking to see the mountain gorillas is considered to be a year-round experience; however, the ideal time to visit would be the dry seasons between December and February and then between June and September. We must stress how important it is to book in advance in order to secure your gorilla permits! Many travelers aren’t put off by the rainy season either (March to May and in November), as that offers dramatic photo opportunities and is the optimum time for tracking chimpanzees. To help you decide the best time to visit Rwanda, take a look at our month-by-month guide to when to go below.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
January - Best month to visit Rwanda
- January is a fantastic month to visit Rwanda. It is part of the short dry period, when days and nights are warm but comfortable.
- Hiking conditions are ideal in January, making it a great month for gorilla trekking.
- Although there is always a chance of rain, you can expect January to be fairly dry, which means the risk of mosquitoes is at its lowest.
- Rwanda and Tanzania can be an excellent safari combination. The wildlife in January in both locations can be fantastic.
- If you are hoping to combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking then consider a different month – either March to June or October to December.
Short, dry season
Max temp 78 F
Slight chance of rain
YZ fave month
Ideal gorilla trekking
Fewer mosquitoes
February - Best month to visit Rwanda
- The last month of the short dry season, February is another great month to visit Rwanda.
- As the terrain is dry, February is another ideal month to go trekking to see the mountain gorillas.
- February is not the peak season in Rwanda, so if you book early, availability and prices can be reasonable.
- Pair Rwanda with a safari to Kenya, and you could also add on some beach time along the coast.
- If you are traveling to the Virunga Mountains, make sure to pack a fleece as nights can get chilly at the high altitude.
Short, dry season
Max temp 78 F
Chance of rain
Great mountain gorillas
Combine with Kenya
Chilly in the mountains
March - Good month to visit Rwanda
- March is a reasonable time to visit Rwanda. It is the beginning of the long rains; however, there are plenty of benefits to visiting this month.
- Days can see rain being persistent and heavy, but the rainforest flourishes under these downpours.
- Hiking to see the mountain gorillas can start to become difficult with the rains, as the ground is wet and slippery.
- If you are visiting Rwanda in March, consider exploring other wildlife areas and national parks.
- Rwanda is renowned for its birdlife, and March sees the birdlife at its most active. Look out for a number of colorful sunbirds!
Wet season
Max temp 78 F
Rain can be persistent
Not ideal gorilla month
Fabulous birding
Explore Rwanda's parks
April - Mixed month to visit Rwanda
- April is not an ideal month to visit Rwanda, as it is the peak of the long rainy season.
- This month sees the highest rainfall, and it is wet, slippery, and often muddy, making trekking and hiking difficult.
- Make sure to bring plenty of waterproofs – especially for any camera equipment you might bring.
- April is a good month to see chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park. They tend to group together and stay lower to the ground in the rains, making them easier to encounter.
- Genocide Memorial Week takes place in April, when the country sombrely remembers and mourns the 1994 genocide together.
Wet season
Max temp 77 F
Lots of rain
Gorilla trekking is difficult
Low-season rates
Peak butterfly diversity
May - Mixed month to visit Rwanda
- May is the last month of the long rainy season in Rwanda and is a mixed month to visit.
- Trekking to see the mountain gorillas in May can be difficult, with rainforests turning marsh-like.
- Towards the end of the month, the rain tends to ease up, but it is an unpredictable month in terms of weather.
- The national parks and forests are beautiful as the rains turn them lush and verdant, with newborn animals.
- Although not a good month for gorilla trekking, it is actually a great time to track the chimpanzees in Rwanda as they can be found on the forest floor gorging on dropped fruit.
Wet season
Max temp 77 F
Lots of rain
Trekking can be difficult
Not ideal for gorilla spotting
Lush landscapes
June - Best month to visit Rwanda
- June is a great time to visit, as it marks the beginning of the long dry season and peak time for traveling to Rwanda.
- This is an ideal time to track mountain gorillas, and as such, make sure to book in advance (a year in advance) to avoid disappointment, especially for permits.
- The dry season is a good time to explore Rwanda's other national parks – including the wildlife-rich Akagera National Park.
- Combine your Rwanda adventure with a Kenya or Tanzania safari! Dry season is particularly special for catching the wildebeest migration.
- Although it is the dry season, there is always a chance of some rain, especially in the rainforests – so make sure to bring waterproofs!
Dry season
Max temp 78 F
Chance of rain
Permits in advance
Combine with Kenya/Tanzania
Bring waterproofs
July - Best month to visit Rwanda
- Hitting the middle of peak season, July is a super month to visit Rwanda, although it can get busy!
- The summer school holidays for the west, means that safari lodges and permits are filled up fast – so we recommend booking at least one year in advance to avoid disappointment.
- The hikes to see the mountain gorillas are at their best, as the ground has dried up from the long rainy season, but the landscape remains lush.
- July offers many wildlife activities in Rwanda, including tracking the golden monkeys and exploring the great game in Akagera National Park.
- This is one of the best safari months – you can combine a holiday to Rwanda with a safari to other East Africa destinations. Kenya and Tanzania are ideal choices!
Dry season
Max temp 78 F
Hardly any rain
YZ favorite month
Ideal gorilla trekking
Book in advance
August - Best month to visit Rwanda
- With similar conditions to July, August is another excellent time to travel to Rwanda. It is the peak season, when conditions are typically dry and warm.
- An ideal month for gorilla trekking, we can't recommend more strongly that you book your vacation in advance to secure permits and accommodation.
- A typically good safari month, Rwanda's national parks are dry with fewer waterholes, meaning that the animals congregate and are easier to spot.
- August is a great month to combine with either Tanzania or Kenya. Go on a wildlife-focused safari to see gorillas and then on to witness the wildebeest migration.
- If you are keen on all great apes, then consider going chimpanzee tracking as well in August, as the conditions are dry underfoot.
Dry season
Max temp 80 F
Small chance of rain
Ideal gorilla month
Book in advance
Explore Rwanda's parks
September - Best month to visit Rwanda
- September in Rwanda is nearing the end of the peak, dry season, with some rainfall expected this month.
- September can feel slightly humid in the rainforest; however, this should not deter you as it’s a great time to spot mountain gorillas.
- This is a great safari month across most destinations, so consider pairing Rwanda with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania for a wildlife adventure.
- Kwita Izina, the annual gorilla-naming ceremony, takes place in September and is a fantastic celebration of the newborn mountain gorillas.
- With good weather, there are many other outdoor activities you can try in September, including biking, walking, swimming, and fishing.
Dry season
Max temp 80 F
Slight chance of rain
Hottest month
Gorilla-naming ceremony
Superb wildlife month
October - Best month to visit Rwanda
- October is the start of the short rains, which last until around November. Showers tend to be quick bursts of rain that clear the sky.
- This is a great month for birdlife and an ideal time to track chimpanzees.
- Photographers will have excellent opportunities for dramatic photos, as Rwanda’s scenery and misty mountains really come alive.
- If you are keen to combine a safari in Rwanda with some beach time, this is a great month along Kenya's coast.
- As conditions can get quite wet, this is not an optimum month for tracking mountain gorillas; however, if you are keen, a few showers shouldn't stop you from visiting.
Short, rainy season
Max temp 78 F
Short, heavy bursts
Plants are flowering
Dramatic photos
Add Kenya coast time
November - Good month to visit Rwanda
- Similar to October, November forms part of the short rains season, in which rain comes in short, heavy bursts.
- It is classed as only a good month to visit as this isn't the best time to track mountain gorillas. They take shelter during the rains, so spotting them can be a challenge.
- The rain makes Rwanda's landscape very lush, with vivid green everywhere. Keen photographers will be spoilt for choice in terms of the scenery.
- Keen birdwatchers will enjoy seeing the resident birdlife in large numbers in November.
- With an average of 140mm of rain this month, we highly recommend taking waterproofs if you are traveling in November.
Short, rainy season
Max temp 77 F
Short, heavy bursts
Great birding
Rwanda is in bloom
Bring waterproofs
December - Good month to visit Rwanda
- December in Rwanda marks the end of the short rains and the beginning of the short dry season.
- Demand for gorilla permits around Christmas is extremely high, so we highly recommend booking in advance.
- Mornings and evenings can get quite chilly in the mountains, so make sure to come prepared with warm fleeces.
- Safari lodge prices can increase significantly around the festive season, and it can feel busy around Volcanoes National Park.
- In the drier period, there are many outdoor activities you can try, including canoeing, climbing, biking, and fishing.
Short, dry season
Max temp 77 F
Some rain
Good gorilla hiking
Book early for Christmas
Chilly mornings/evenings
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The top places to explore on your Rwanda safari
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