What is the Best Time to Visit Rwanda Month by Month?

Best time to visit Rwanda- What is the best time to visit Rwanda gorillas? Two dry seasons are the best time to visit Rwanda not only for game/wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park but also for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

The two drier seasons experienced each year in Rwanda run from June, July, August to September and December to early February. This is the period most tourists on Rwanda safari prefer visiting Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas or visit Nyungwe Forest National Park to enjoy chimpanzee tracking experience.

The rest of the months are rainy or wet seasons/months of the year experienced from March, April to May and between October and November. These are also ideal on their own when it comes to visits to Rwanda. Plenty of forage is available during these months and it is a period when tourists often spend less hours to find mountain gorillas or chimpanzees as they don’t have to move deep into the jungles looking for what to eat in the course of the day.

The dry season is also best known as the peak season of the year in Rwanda and wet or rainy season is the low season. During the peak season, there is high demand not only for gorilla permits or chimp permits but also for accommodation facilities in the different Rwanda safari destinations. Being a preferred time of the year with comfortable weather conditions, it is advisable to book your gorilla safari and permits early to avoid last minute stress.

The low seasons- March-May and October-November are the best if you are interested in Rwanda safari experiences less of crowds. Fewer visitors turn up during these months due to the nature weather, but the advantage about it is that you can land on discount offers from accommodation service providers.

Looking at the temperatures, every season experiences varying temperatures. During the dry season, temperatures rise up from 24 degrees Celsius up to 30 degrees Celsius in some parts of Rwanda.

In general, Rwanda enjoys tropical kind of climate with 4 key regions including the highlands, central plateau, eastern plains, and Lake Kivu region. In average, Rwanda records annual precipitation of about 1170mm, and around the highland areas consisting of the Virunga region and Congo Nile ridge, rainfall amount recorded is between 1300mm and 1600mm with temperature rise of 10 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Around Lake Kivu area and Bugarama plains, annual rainfall record ranges from 1200-1500mm. The Eastern plains experience rainfall record of 700-1100mm with temperature rise of 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.

Safari activities to do in Rwanda depending on the season

Gorilla Trekking

During the dry season- June to September & December to February, Rwanda is best to visit for mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, hiking, golden monkey tracking, and game viewing. Birding in Rwanda is ideal during the wet or rainy months of the year.

Places to visit in Rwanda include the 4 National Parks- Volcanoes National Park located in the Ruhengeri region, Northwest of the country; Nyungwe Forest National Park in the Southern province, Akagera National Park (the only savanna park in Rwanda), and Gishwati-Mukura National Park, a newly created Rwanda safari park.

What to carry on Rwanda safaris?

Always consider packing lightly and with essential items first on the list. Rwanda is most visited for gorilla trekking, the items not to miss packing include waterproof hiking boots, daypack, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, sweater, insect repellents, raincoat or jacket, snacks, water, hiking stick (get it at the park during briefing time), valid gorilla permit or chimp permit, passport, yellow fever certificate, visas, and others.