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Best Time to Visit Rwanda

The dry seasons of June-September and December-early February are often the ideal times to visit Rwanda. Yet, because most people come to Rwanda to see the gorillas, the optimum time is frequently whenever a highly sought-after permit is available. Don’t be put off by Rwanda’s rainy season, though. The shorter rains in November and long rains from March to May will provide you with complete access to the woods, lakes, and mountains, and gorilla permits are occasionally cheaper.

Tourism is Rwanda’s greatest source of foreign exchange profits, and it is expected to increase at a 25% annual pace from 2013 to 2018. The sector contributes the most to the national export strategy. The total income earned by the industry in 2014 was USD 305 million.

The tourism industry in Rwanda has also attracted direct foreign investment, with major international hotel brands including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Golden Tulip Hotels, and Zinc establishing operations in the country.

Since Rwanda is located close south of the Equator, temperatures seldom fluctuate throughout the year. The days are pleasant, with temperatures ranging from the late teens to the mid-twenties depending on where you go in the nation. The nights may be chilly, especially at higher elevations.

Visiting Rwanda from January to February.

During January and February, high and medium-altitude places like as Kigali, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park, and Nyungwe National Park are hot during the day but chilly at night. Low-lying areas, such as Akagera National Park, are heated during the day but cool at night.

This is a popular season to go on a Rwanda wildlife safari and is an excellent time to enjoy the spectacular beauty of this stunning nation. These months’ pleasant weather and sunshine provide for amazing woodland adventures. But, if you want to visit Rwanda during this dry season, bear in mind that rates are often higher, and you must prepare ahead of time.

Visiting Rwanda in March

March marks the beginning of the rainy season, which will last until mid-May. Despite the rain, the conditions are still favorable for trekking in quest of the primates that inhabit this mysterious region. To endure the thick, damp woodland regions during this time, good rain gear is required.

Visiting Rwanda in April

April’s weather patterns mirror those of May. While planning your trip to Rwanda, keep in mind that climbing around the Virungas will be difficult at this time of year.

Pros

Here are some of the advantages of traveling to Rwanda in the month of April;

April is a low season hence various national parks usually offer low-season discounts to travelers visiting any of the national parks during this period.
Gorilla permits are readily available for purchase during this period.
The scenery in the national parks is greener and the sky is obscured/polluted.
This is a perfect time to witness the calving season in Akagera National Park.

Cons

Disadvantages of traveling in the month of April;

Gorilla trekking excursions in the park set off on time as scheduled, even when it is raining heavily. Therefore, visitors tracking gorillas in Volcanoes national park during this time are advised to keep time.
Given that this is a rainy period, forest trials are slippery, muddy, and quite challenging to navigate especially if you are not wearing the right type of hiking boots.

Visiting Rwanda in May.

By mid-May, the rains have subsided. April is a wonderful month to avoid tourist crowds, and you may be able to get a last-minute gorilla trekking permit. May is the nesting season for birds, so the sky is filled with colorful, feathered beauties.

Pros

Here are some of the advantages of traveling to Rwanda in the month of May;

May is a low season hence various national parks usually offer low-season discounts to travelers visiting any of the national parks during this period.
Gorilla permits are readily available for purchase during this period.
May is a good travel time in Rwanda for visitors trying to avoid any crowds in the national parks.
The scenery in the national parks is greener and the sky is obscured/polluted.
This is a perfect time to witness the calving season in Akagera National Park.
This is a good time to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, as they move on the forest floor more often, feeding on tasty fruit and figs that have ripened.

Cons

Disadvantages of traveling in the month of May;

Gorilla trekking excursions in the park set off on time as scheduled, even when it is raining heavily. Therefore, visitors tracking gorillas in Volcanoes national park during this time are advised to keep time.
Given that this is a rainy period, forest trials are slippery, muddy, and quite challenging to navigate especially if you are not wearing the right type of hiking boots.

Visiting Rwanda from June to September

The dry season, which lasts from June to September, is often regarded as the ideal time to visit Rwanda. Around this time of year, there is generally little cloud cover, which provides a pleasant climate for gorilla trekking. The annual Kwita Izina Ceremony is a highlight in June in Rwanda. All of the young gorillas born in the preceding twelve months are named at this time. The Rwanda Film Festival, held in September, is another highlight on the Rwanda travel calendar, exhibiting local filmmakers as well as a selection of worldwide favorites.

Pros of traveling to Rwanda from June to September.

Here are some advantages of traveling to Rwanda from June to September;

This is actually the best time for gorilla trekking safaris to Volcanoes National Park.
The forest trails in both Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest national parks are less slippery and easy to navigate given the fact that these are dry months.
The vegetation in Akagera National Park is less thick and therefore wildlife animals can easily be spotted during a game drive in the park.
Even during this period which is considered to be a high or peak season, the national parks don’t get crowded.

Cons of traveling to Rwanda from June to September.

Disadvantages of traveling to Rwanda from June to September include;

Visitors are required to book gorilla permits at least 3 months in advance to avoid any disappointments that come with late bookings during the high/peak season when demand for gorilla permits is high.
Although these months are dry, the scenery is even more beautiful in the wet season/ months.

Visiting Rwanda from October to December.

If you visit Rwanda between October and December, you will arrive during the brief rainy season. Showers that clear to expose bright blue skies are prevalent throughout these months. You might also benefit from reduced prices on gorilla trekking permits, hotels, and Rwanda lodges if you are not put off by a little dirt and rain.

Pros

Here are some of the advantages of traveling to Rwanda in the month of October to December;

This is a low season hence various national parks usually offer low-season discounts to travelers visiting any of the national parks during this period.
Gorilla permits are readily available for purchase during this period.
This period is also a great time for bird watching in Rwanda. Birding enthusiasts can always book a birding tour to Rwanda during this period and will be certain of viewing a wide variety of bird species, especially in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, Kigali City, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera national park.
The scenery in the national parks is greener and the sky is obscured/polluted.
This is a perfect time to witness the calving season in Akagera National Park.
These months are the best travel times for visitors looking to track mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Volcanoes and Nyungwe forest national parks respectively.

Cons

Disadvantages of traveling in the month of October to December;

Gorilla trekking excursions in the park set off on time as scheduled, even when it is raining heavily. Therefore, visitors tracking gorillas in Volcanoes national park during this time are advised to keep time.
Given that this is a rainy period, forest trials are slippery, muddy, and quite challenging to navigate especially if you are not wearing the right type of hiking boots.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Mountain gorillas may be walked in Rwanda’s northwest Volcanoes National Park at any time of year, although the best time is during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February. April, May, and November are very wet months, making monitoring gorillas difficult since the pathways in the forest are muddy and treacherous, and the gorillas may seek shelter and hide beneath the canopy to avoid the rain.

Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda?

Chimpanzees, along with 13 species of primates are the top tourist attractions in Nyungwe forest national park. Nyungwe Forest is one of the largest regions of the montane forest, and the most popular journey is for chimpanzees. The best times are during the rainy seasons, which last from March to May and from October to November.

Best Time for Bird Watching in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, the months of December and January are ideal for birdwatching. These months are remarkable because thousands of migrating birds visit the nation to escape the severe winter conditions in Europe and the Arctic.

DISCOVER RWANDA

Best Time to Visit Rwanda