Best Time to Visit Rwanda

The Dry Months in Rwanda: June to August, and December to February

Rwanda's dry months are the easiest time to trek gorillas and chimpanzees, because the forest paths in Volcanoes and Nyungwe are firmer. They split into a main dry season and a shorter, less reliable one.

June: The Rains Stop

Rainfall falls from about 117 mm in May to about 31 mm in June. The hills are still green, and visitor numbers have not yet peaked. RDB's resident and discounted permit rates stop applying from June.

July: The Driest Month

July is the peak of the dry season and of demand. Gorilla permits for Volcanoes National Park sell out well ahead, and lodges around Kinigi charge their highest rates. Mornings near Musanze, at about 1,700 metres, are cold.

August: Dry, with Late Showers

August averages about 37 mm, with the first showers returning late in the month. It remains a strong month for every park.

December: Easing Rain and Holiday Crowds

December still averages about 119 mm, but rain eases in the second half. The discount season is open, though the Christmas weeks are busy.

January and February: The Short Dry Season

These two months are drier than the rains on either side, at about 117 mm and 95 mm, though far wetter than July. For travellers who qualify for the permit discount, they give the best mix of fair weather and lower cost in the Rwandan year.

The Rainy Months in Rwanda: March to May, and September to November

Rwanda has two rainy seasons, which the national weather agency centres on March to May and October to December. Rain rarely stops travel on Rwanda's paved main roads, but it slows every trek.

March, April and May: The Long Rains

This is the wettest run of the year, peaking at about 143 mm in April. Trails in Volcanoes are steep and slick, and Nyungwe's are longer in the mud. Lodges are at their cheapest, and the gorilla discount applies throughout.

September: The Shoulder Month

Rain returns, at about 94 mm, yet September often trades like the dry season with thinner crowds. No discount applies until November.

October and November: The Short Rains

October averages about 132 mm and November about 148 mm, the highest monthly figure of the year. November is also the first month of the discount, so it suits travellers who put price ahead of dry boots.

Rwanda Weather Month by Month

The table gives national monthly averages from the World Bank's climate data for the most recent 30 year period, rounded. Temperatures are omitted because they barely move from 19°C.

The eastern lowlands around Akagera are warmer and drier than these averages, at 20 to 21°C, and the western highlands are cooler, below 17°C, on the weather agency's figures.

Best Time to Visit Rwanda Park by Park

Rwanda's parks do not share one best season, which helps anyone planning around the discount.

Dry Season or Discount Season in Rwanda: Which Is Better?

The dry season is better for comfort, and the discount season is better for cost. Few countries make the trade as explicit as Rwanda does.

Best Time to Visit Rwanda FAQs

What is the best month to visit Rwanda?

July is the driest month, at about 14 mm of rain. January and February are the best value, because they are fairly dry and fall inside the gorilla permit discount season.

When is the rainy season in Rwanda?

Rwanda has two: March to May and October to December, according to its national weather agency. April and November are the wettest months.

Is Rwanda worth visiting in the rainy season?

Yes, if cost matters more than comfort: the gorilla permit can fall to USD 1,050 and lodges are cheaper. Travellers who struggle on steep, muddy ground should keep to June through August.

When is the gorilla permit cheapest in Rwanda?

From November to May, at USD 1,050 instead of USD 1,500, for visitors who also stay two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe and meet RDB's conditions.

How cold is Rwanda?

Rwanda averages about 19°C all year. The highlands near the volcanoes fall below 17°C on average and feel colder at night, so pack a warm layer in any month.

Can you trek gorillas in Rwanda all year?

Yes. Treks leave from Kinigi every morning of the year, and only the trail conditions change with the season.

Insight Safari Holidays plans Rwanda trips as part of its East Africa safaris and can pair them with gorilla trekking in Uganda, where it runs its own vehicles and guides. Send your travel month, and the team will say whether the discount season or the dry season suits your plans.