Best Time to Visit Rwanda

The best time to visit Rwanda depends on the country’s weather forecast records which show fairly temperatures and high altitude the country being mostly mountainous and hilly and this gives a great highland feel as the daily temperatures usually hoover around 26/27°C.

Rwanda offers favorable travel opportunities throughout the year, making it one of Africa’s most lush and spectacular destinations. The country’s weather can be unpredictable at times, as the rainy and dry seasons often overlap in certain regions. When selecting the best time to visit Rwanda, travelers should consider its four distinct seasons that shape each unique experience. The long rainy season occurs from March to May, bringing heavy, persistent rains that nourish the country’s vibrant green landscapes. A shorter rainy season follows between October and mid-December, refreshing the environment before the dry season begins once again. The main dry season runs from June to September, while a shorter one appears between mid-December and February each year. These dry periods are widely regarded as the best time to visit Rwanda because they favor most outdoor tourist activities.

Choose the dry seasons to explore Rwanda and experience its incredible diversity across breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife attractions. The long dry season begins in June, following the end of the heavy rains that refresh the country’s vibrant scenery. This period is considered the best time to visit Rwanda because sunny days are frequent, and the landscapes remain lush. Trekking, hiking, and nature exploration become ideal as the terrains in Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks are dry and accessible. During this season, endangered mountain gorillas often move closer to the lower forest zones, offering more rewarding and joyful encounters.

Same as July up to September and within the Short Dry Season of December to February you can experience the best Rwanda has to offer in its Akagera National Park with ease in Game Drives to spot numerous Wildlife including the Big 5 Mammals, birds and some primates, also indulge yourself in nautical activities around Lake Kivu the largest Lake in Rwanda such as Fishing, sporting lake activities i.e. Kayaking, Canoeing and Boat rides and also be able to relax at the beaches around this lake notably Gisenyi and Kibuye  as you enjoy the fresh Lake breezes and sand at the beaches.

Rwanda sits just beneath the equator in the African Great Lakes Region and experiences two dry and two wet seasons. Its temperatures remain consistent throughout the year, creating ideal conditions for visitors to enjoy safaris at any time. During the dry season, visitors enjoy gorilla trekking, Rwanda’s main attraction, and explore the country’s stunning national parks. The wet season provides excellent conditions for chimpanzee trekking, another incredible and unmissable activity for every Rwandan safari traveler. From March to May, the long rains begin, yet visitors can still enjoy Kigali city tours and cultural experiences. Coffee and tea plantation visits, along with countryside excursions, remain rewarding, though flexibility helps in case of rain delays.

Additionally the other short rainy season between October and November are still great days in Rwanda as they tend to have some days being sunny and others quite rainy which is kind of interesting providing cool temperatures.  Tourists can undertake some activities like visiting the different Museums within the country namely King’s Place Museum, Genocide Memorials and Ethnographic Museum. 

Get in touch with us at Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris for more details and well – arranged safari plans that will fit your preferred conditions for adventure during the Best Time to Visit Rwanda