Best time to visitRwanda

A highly elevated country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, dubbed the ‘land of a thousand hills’, this mountainous country with numerous lakes has a temperate to tropical highland climate. With a population of over 12.6 million, Rwanda is the most densely populated mainland African country. Just a few degrees south of the equator, Rwanda has lower temperatures than most equatorial countries, thanks to its elevation, and with two rainy seasons separated by two dry seasons, the country’s temperatures change minimally from month-to-month and there’s no defined winter or summer. The best time to visit Rwanda will depend both on where you stay and why you are travelling, as temperatures vary between locations at different altitudes, though the June to mid-September dry season is generally a favourite choice for tourists. The second dry season falls between December and February. The longer rainy season spans between March to May, followed by a shorter season in October and November.

Rwanda’s bustling capital has the same tropical highland climate as much of the country and follows the same seasonal pattern. Its location within the central plateau means that the city’s temperatures lean warm but not hot, rarely going above 30°C or below 15°C throughout the year due to the country’s lack of distinctive seasons. The best time to visit Kigali would be during the months of June, July or August, as the drier months are better for those who wish to explore the city to its fullest.

A northern city near the twin lakes of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, Ruhengeri is a gateway city for those visiting Volcanoes National Park. Its location within the Musanze District in the Northern Province of Rwanda means that the city has a tropical savanna climate. The two wet, two dry season pattern, and fairly consistent city temperatures, mean that the best time to visit Ruhengeri depends on rainfall levels. July is the driest month, and so is ideal for visitors of the nearby national park, though the dry season of June through to September is generally the best time to visit Rwanda.

With warm temperatures, roughly 119 inches of annual rainfall and high humidity, it’s important to time your visit to Butare carefully. The city is located in Southern Rwanda and is known as the intellectual capital, with the largest secondary school in the country and several universities. For those after warm weather whilst visiting Butare, mid-June through to early September are the best months to book a trip.

The perfect location for visitors to Lake Kivu, Gisenyi is a city situated in Rwanda’s western province. The city follows the same seasonal pattern as much of Rwanda, though it usually rains over 300 days a year, even during the dry seasons. Warm all year round, rarely below 15°C, with a tropical savanna climate, the best months to visit Gisenyi would be during the months of June, July and August, as the weather is clearest. On top of clearer weather, in the months between June and August, Gisenyi hosts an annual Summer Beach Festival, which brings flocks of music lovers to the city for the warm weather and live DJ acts.

Close to the border of Tanzania, in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is one of the many popular wildlife and conservation parks within the country. Sitting at an altitude between 4,100-5,990ft, the park’s weather is temperate throughout the year, so there’s never a ‘wrong’ time to visit. The two dry seasons are ideal for visitors wishing to see the most wildlife, as the drier weather causes the animals to congregate at water sources, making them easier to spot. For those interested in beautiful views more than animal sightings, the two wet seasons bring new life to the vegetation and are perfect for those wishing to spend time by the sparkling lakes.

With a climate often described as overcast but comfortable, this district in the Northern Province of Rwanda is home to the largest part of the Volcanoes National Park, the go-to place in Rwanda for gorilla trekking. Located in the most mountainous section of Rwanda, the temperatures are warm but never hot, usually staying under 26°C, perfect for hiking. It would be best to book your trip to the Musanze district between June and September, as it is the warmest and driest period of the year.