When to go · Kigali
Kigali in May
Mixed month. Rains ease late in the month; Kwibuka continues.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C) / 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- Low
- Rwanda overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Rwanda overall
Verdict
Rains ease late in the month; Kwibuka continues.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- KigaliHighs around 25 °C (77 °F), lows around 16 °C (61 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 77 °F (25 °C), lows around 61 °F (16 °C), rain on about 14 days
- Central plateau, Rwanda · Kigali, Huyerainy
Mild around 25 °C (77 °F) by day; two rainy seasons.Mild around 77 °F (25 °C) by day; two rainy seasons.
Long rains season
Green and quiet; lower prices.
Watch: Heavy afternoon rain and the April remembrance week.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Umuganda
Last Saturday of each month, 08:00–11:00Last Saturday of each month, 8:00 AM–11:00 AM · Citywide
Traffic restricted; most shops closed until midday.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Rwanda overall
- Low
- Prices · Rwanda overall
- Medium
Rwanda overall: Rain eases late; some lodges discount.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kigali, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Jan: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Night low
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Jan: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Rain days
May: 14
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 1
May: Rains ease late in the month; Kwibuka continues.
January: Dry and warm; short dry season.
Kigali: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast