Best Time to Visit Rwanda

Kigali and the rest of Rwanda

Kigali is our only listed city, and its best months are July and August. The capital sits high up, so days feel warm rather than steamy. February is the hottest month at 27°C, and even that's pleasant. Evenings are cooler, so you'll want a light jacket after dark.

Away from Kigali, the weather shifts with altitude. Volcanoes National Park, where the mountain gorillas live, is much cooler and wetter. Nyungwe Forest, home to chimpanzees and a canopy walkway, is damp for much of the year. Lake Kivu towns like Gisenyi (Rubavu) and Kibuye stay mild and are lovely for a few lazy days after trekking.

The two dry seasons and two wet ones

Rwanda sits near the equator, so it has two rainy seasons, not one long summer and winter. The long rains run roughly March to May. April is the wettest month in Kigali at 185 mm, and there are no ties in our data. Roads can turn muddy, and forest trails get slippery.

The short rains arrive around October and November. They're lighter and often come as an afternoon downpour, then clear.

The long dry season, June to September, is the sweet spot. July and August bring clear skies and firmer trails. That matters if you're hiking to the gorillas or hunting for golden monkeys.

High season, low season and key dates

The dry months from June to September are high season. Gorilla permits are limited and the most sought after, so lodges around Musanze fill up fast. If you hate crowds, try the drier stretch in December to February instead. It's quieter but still comfortable.

April to May is low season. You'll find fewer visitors and easier bookings, but you'll need patience with rain.

Two dates shape the calendar. Kwibuka, the genocide remembrance, begins on 7 April and runs through a week of mourning. Many places adjust their hours, and the mood in Kigali is quiet and respectful. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is worth visiting with that in mind. Kwita Izina, the gorilla naming ceremony, usually happens around September and draws a lively crowd.