Best time to visit Rwanda: a month-by-month guide
Rwanda's mountain gorillas can be visited in any month, but the rains decide how muddy the trails are and how clear the volcano views will be. This guide explains the seasons across Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera and Lake Kivu.
The best time to visit Rwanda is during the long dry season from June to September, or the shorter dry spell from December to February, when trekking trails are firmer and volcano views clearer. Gorilla trekking runs all year, so the rainy months from March to May and in October and November still work for travellers who accept mud and showers in return for greener forests and fewer visitors.
Rwanda's climate in brief
Rwanda lies just south of the equator but most of the country is high, which keeps temperatures mild all year. In Kigali days are typically warm and nights cool; in the mountains of Volcanoes National Park and in Nyungwe mornings are cold in any season. Instead of summer and winter, the year has two rainy seasons, roughly March to May and October to November, separated by two drier periods.
Month-by-month guide
| Month | Weather/conditions | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Short dry spell; mild and fairly clear | Gorilla and golden monkey trekking | Popular month; book permits early |
| February | Mostly dry before the long rains | Trekking, Akagera game drives | Good conditions for Mount Bisoke and crater-rim views |
| March | Long rains begin | Green forests, fewer visitors | Trails become slippery |
| April | Wet; often the heaviest rain | Quiet treks and lush scenery | Kwibuka commemoration begins on 7 April; see below |
| May | Rains continue, easing late in the month | Birdwatching, flexible travellers | Some rural roads muddy |
| June | Long dry season starts | Gorilla trekking, Akagera, Congo Nile Trail | Peak demand begins |
| July | Dry; cool mornings in the mountains | Gorillas, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, Akagera | One of the busiest months for permits |
| August | Dry | All parks; Akagera game viewing at its best | Book lodges and permits well ahead |
| September | Dry, with rain returning late in the month | Trekking and safaris | Good shoulder month later on |
| October | Short rains start | Birdwatching in Akagera | Expect afternoon showers |
| November | Short rains | Green-season travel | Muddy trails, quieter parks |
| December | Short dry spell returns | Trekking and Lake Kivu | Festive weeks fill quickly |
Park-by-park differences
Volcanoes National Park
Trekking runs every month. In the dry seasons trails are firmer and the volcanoes are more often visible, which makes June to September and December to February the most popular times; book permits well ahead. In the rains, paths are muddy and cloud is frequent, but the bamboo and forest are at their greenest. The hike up Mount Bisoke to its crater lake is far more rewarding in dry weather, when you have a chance of seeing into the crater.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe is a montane rainforest and can be wet in any month. The drier periods, roughly June to September and December to February, make trails less slippery and chimpanzee tracking more comfortable. Pack waterproofs and warm layers whatever the season.
Akagera National Park
Akagera, in the warmer, lower east of the country, is Rwanda's savannah park. The long dry season from June to September is best for game viewing, as animals gather near water and grass is shorter. The short rains in October and November are good for birdwatching, and December to February is also generally pleasant.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is pleasant all year. Drier months are best for boat trips, kayaking and walking the shoreline, while afternoon storms in the rains can make water activities less reliable; mornings are often clear.
Events and dates to plan around
- Kwibuka: from 7 April Rwanda observes a national period of commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors are welcome at memorials, but expect a sombre atmosphere, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial is normally closed to the public on the morning of 7 April.
- Umuganda: on the last Saturday of each month, most normal services close from 7am to 11am for national community work, according to the UK Foreign Office. Plan transfers around it.
- Car-free mornings: Kigali holds car-free mornings on the first and third Sunday of the month.
- Kwita Izina: the annual gorilla naming ceremony, held in the Kinigi area near Volcanoes National Park, celebrates conservation and local communities. Dates vary, so check with the Rwanda Development Board.
Crowds and prices
The dry seasons, especially June to September, are when gorilla permits and the best lodges sell out first. The headline permit price for foreign visitors is the same all year at US$1,500, according to the Rwanda Development Board's booking portal. The portal also lists lower promotional rates for some resident and African categories that it says do not apply from June to October 2026. Lodges often reduce rates in the rains. Our guide to what a Rwanda trip costs sets out package prices and permit fees.
Choosing your dates
For a first trip focused on gorillas, June to September or December to February offers the most comfortable trekking; our Gorillas & Lake Kivu itinerary works well in either. If you want to add chimpanzees and savannah wildlife, the long dry season suits a fuller route such as the Rwanda Primate & Savannah Safari. Read our gorilla trekking guide for the trek itself, the Rwanda travel guide for first-time visitors for practicalities, and the Rwanda destination page for an overview. When you are ready, plan your Rwanda dates with a specialist.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Rwanda holiday packages
Rwanda · 6 nights5★ LodgeGorillas & Lake Kivu
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Lake Kivu
- Kigali city tour
Rwanda · 9 nights4★ LodgeRwanda Primate & Savannah Safari
- Chimp tracking
- Akagera game drives
- Gorilla trek
