Best Time to Visit Rwanda: A Season-by-Season Safari Guide

The best time to visit Rwanda is the long dry season from June to September, when trekking trails are firmest and wildlife in Akagera gathers near water. December to February is a second dry season and a close alternative. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking run all year, so the rainy months of March to May and October to November also work well, with greener hills, fewer visitors and lower rates at many lodges.

Rwanda’s seasons at a glance

Rwanda sits just south of the equator and much of the country is high ground, so temperatures stay mild all year. Kigali is usually warm by day, while the mountain parks are cooler, especially at night and early in the morning. What changes through the year is rainfall: there are two dry seasons and two rainy seasons.

Months	Season	What to expect
June to September	Long dry season	The easiest trekking and the best game viewing. The busiest months, so book permits and lodges early.
October to November	Short rains	Afternoon showers, green hills and fewer visitors. Good shoulder season.
December to February	Short dry season	Warm and bright with good trekking. Busy over Christmas and New Year.
March to May	Long rains	The wettest and quietest months. Muddy trails, lush scenery and lower rates at many lodges.

Rwanda month by month

• January: dry and warm, with good trekking conditions. A quieter month once the holidays end.
• February: still dry and a good month for every park, before the long rains begin.
• March: the long rains start. Showers become more frequent, and trails in Volcanoes and Nyungwe are muddier.
• April: usually the wettest month. Some lodges offer lower rates, and the forests are at their greenest.
• May: rain begins to ease towards the end of the month. A good value time to travel if you do not mind showers.
• June: the long dry season begins. Clear days, firmer trails and the start of the busiest period.
• July and August: peak season. The driest weather and the best game viewing in Akagera, with the highest demand for gorilla permits and lodges.
• September: still dry, with fewer visitors than July and August. Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s gorilla naming ceremony, is often held around this time; the Rwanda Development Board announces the date each year.
• October: the short rains begin, usually as afternoon showers. A good shoulder month.
• November: showery and green, with quiet parks and good light for photography.
• December: the short dry season returns. Popular over the holidays, so plan ahead for Christmas and New Year.

Best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park runs every day of the year. June to September and December to February are the most comfortable months, because the trails are drier and less slippery. In the rainy months the gorillas are just as present, but the walk can be harder, so good boots, gaiters and a rain jacket matter more. Permits cost US$1,500 per person and numbers are limited, so in the dry months they should be reserved well ahead. Read our full gorilla trekking guide and the Volcanoes National Park guide.

Best time for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe also runs all year. Nyungwe is a rainforest, so rain is possible in any month, but June to September gives the driest trails. In the wetter months, chimpanzees can sometimes be easier to find because fruiting trees are concentrated, although the walking is muddier. See our chimpanzee trekking guide and Nyungwe National Park guide.

Best time for a Big Five safari in Akagera

June to September is the best time for game drives in Akagera. The grass is shorter and animals gather around the lakes and remaining water, which makes them easier to find. December to February is also good. In the rainy months the park is green and beautiful, and birdlife is especially rich between November and April, when migrant species arrive. See our Akagera National Park guide.

Best time to visit Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is pleasant in any month and makes a restful stop after trekking. It is driest from June to September and from December to February, which are the best months for kayaking and boat trips. See our Lake Kivu guide.

Is the rainy season a good time to visit Rwanda?

For many travellers, yes. Rain usually falls in heavy showers rather than all day, often in the afternoon, so mornings for trekking are often clear. The parks are quieter, the landscapes are at their greenest, and some lodges offer lower rates. The trade-off is muddier trails, slower roads and a greater chance of a wet trek. If your dates are fixed in the rainy months, plan a little extra time between parks and pack accordingly.

What to pack for each season

• All year: waterproof hiking boots, a light rain jacket, long trousers and long sleeves for trekking, and garden gloves for gripping vegetation.
• Dry season: sun protection and a warm layer for early starts in the mountains.
• Rainy season: gaiters, a waterproof cover for your daypack and a dry change of clothes in the vehicle.

Good to know when planning your dates

• Umuganda: on the last Saturday of each month, Rwanda holds a national community work morning. Roads are quiet until late morning, and we plan travel around it.
• Holiday periods: Christmas, New Year and July to August are the busiest times for permits and lodges.
• How long to stay: see our guide to how many days you need in Rwanda.

Our recommendation

If you can choose only one window, choose June to September. If flexibility and value matter more, March to May and October to November reward you with quiet trails and green landscapes. A short gorilla trip works almost any time of year, while a longer route combining gorillas, Akagera and Lake Kivu is most comfortable in the dry months. Explore our Rwanda safari packages or see how each Rwanda destination suits the seasons.

Best time to visit Rwanda: frequently asked questions

Related guides: what a Rwanda safari costs, golden monkey tracking, safety and health in Rwanda and Rwanda visa requirements.

Written by the Epic Rwanda Safaris team in Kigali. Permit fees checked October 2026; permit prices are set by the Rwanda Development Board and may change. Weather varies from year to year.