When is the best time to visit Rwanda? Although Rwanda is a small country, it packs a significant punch, with a reputation for safety and stability, a bustling capital city whose horrific history has given rise to a cosmopolitan modern culture, and nature-endowed national parks.

Among these is Volcanoes National Park, one of just a few sites in the world where visitors may see endangered mountain gorillas up close. But when should you book your Rwanda trip? Traditionally, the greatest time to visit Rwanda is during the long dry season, which lasts from June to October and is ideal for trekking and spotting gorillas. Rwanda, on the other hand, is a year-round destination with advantages and disadvantages in each season.

When is the best time to visit Rwanda?

The best time to visit Rwanda is during the long dry season which last from June to October. In the capital, Kigali, you can anticipate average lows of approximately 60 degrees and average highs of around 80 degrees on any given day.

Then, from late October to November, there is a short rainy season, followed by a short dry season from December to February, and lastly, the lengthy rains from March to May.

During both dry seasons, prices tend to rise, with accommodations, tours, and gorilla trekking permits selling out months in advance. As a result, fewer people and reduced prices can both be compelling reasons to visit during the rainy season, even if gorilla permits are always the same price: $1,500 per person.

When is the best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Many tourists travel to Rwanda primarily to undertake gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. This protected region in the Virunga Mountains is one of just four in the world to offer this experience, and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest. Nonetheless, hiking through the cloud forest to discover the park’s habituated soldiers may be difficult, taking several hours at times.

Conditions are easier during the long dry season (June to October), when the pathways are less slick, and, while Volcanoes National Park receives rain all year, your chances of a dry walk are substantially higher.

Most significantly, with less vegetation to obscure your view, gorillas are easier to identify this time of year. There is no concern of overcrowding because group numbers are limited to eight hikers regardless of season. Due to limited quantity and great demand, gorilla permits in Rwanda must be reserved well in advance.

What to expect when visiting Rwanda during June to October?

The long dry season is Rwanda’s prime tourism season, with the least rainfall of any season. For example, in Kigali, the average number of precipitation days in June and July is two, with rainfall becoming more common as the season advances. Remember that if you’re visiting Volcanoes National Park, you may anticipate rain at any time of year (it is after all, a rainforest).

During the lengthy dry season, however, the terrain is most forgiving, and highlight species such as mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, and buffalos are all easier to spot.

This is also peak season for wildlife viewing safaris at Akagera National Park, as plains game congregate around water sources, making sightings more common. Accommodation and tours should be booked well in advance for both parks, and gorilla permits are in such high demand that you should obtain yours first before confirming the rest of your reservation.

What to expect on your visit to Rwanda during the rainy season Late October to November?

The brief rainy season lasts from late October to November, with an average of 17 precipitation days per month in Kigali and substantially more in Volcanoes National Park’s rainforests.

The rain makes trekking conditions less comfortable, since there is a lot of mud on the steep routes, making them treacherous. Nonetheless, rainfall is less intense than during the lengthy rainy season, thus it might be a good time to go for reduced tour and lodging fees, as well as increased permit availability.

It is also one of the greatest periods for birders to visit, with migrating species beginning to arrive at all three of the country’s main national parks including Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe forest. Many resident species are now in breeding plumage and so more photogenic. If following Nyungwe national park’s habituated chimpanzee groups is on your bucket list, the wet seasons are the best time to visit. Chimpanzees become more sedentary and easier to identify during the rains.