Best Time to Visit Kigali

Two wet seasons, two dry ones

Kigali sits high up, so it's mild all year. Days are warm, not hot, and nights are cool. The big change is rain, not temperature.

The long rains run from March to May. April is the wettest month, with rain on 26 days and very little sun. Roads in the hillside neighbourhoods get muddy, and day trips out of town can be slow. A short rainy spell comes in November, which is nearly as wet. October and December are damp too, but usually a bit easier.

June to August: the best stretch

This is the main dry season, and our comfort score puts July and August on top. July is the driest month, with rain on only six days. Mornings are crisp at around 14°C, and afternoons are bright and easy for walking.

It suits almost any trip. You can wander Kimironko Market, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and browse the galleries and cafés around Kacyiru without dodging showers. If you're pairing Kigali with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, the dry trails are far less slippery. It's also the busiest time, so expect higher demand for permits and lodges. Travelling with kids? Rwandan schools are often on break around August, and international school holidays add visitors too.

Shoulder months and events

September is still Good, with showers building up. January and February are a fair choice, with warm days and less rain than spring. They're a decent pick if you want fewer visitors and don't mind a few wet afternoons.

April is the month to think about carefully. Kwibuka, the national remembrance of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, begins on 7 April and runs for a period of mourning. It's a respectful, quiet time, and some venues change their hours or tone. Many visitors find the memorial visits especially meaningful then, but it isn't a holiday-style month.

Kwita Izina, the gorilla naming ceremony, is held in the Volcanoes National Park area, usually in the drier part of the year. Dates change, so check before you plan around it.

If you hate rain, aim for June to August. If you want a quieter trip and can handle grey skies, go in January or February.