When to go · Rwanda

Rwanda, month by month

The best months for Rwanda: Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug.

Plan around it

Month by month

JanuaryGreatShort dry season: good trekking, green hills.Virunga volcanoes: best weather · Central plateau: best weather · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
FebruaryGreatDry and warm; Heroes' Day on 1 Feb.Virunga volcanoes: best weather · Central plateau: best weather · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
MarchMixedLong rains begin; permits easier to get.Virunga volcanoes: rainy · Central plateau: rainy · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: rainyCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
AprilMixedWettest month; Kwibuka commemoration starts 7 April — solemn week.Virunga volcanoes: rainy · Central plateau: rainy · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: rainyCrowds: Low · 5 festivals or holidays
MayMixedRain eases late; some lodges discount.Virunga volcanoes: rainy · Central plateau: rainy · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
JuneGreatDry season; Kwibuka period continues to early July.Virunga volcanoes: best weather · Central plateau: best weather · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
JulyGreatPeak trekking; Liberation Day 4 July.Virunga volcanoes: best weather · Central plateau: best weather · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: best weatherCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
AugustGreatPeak; book permits 6+ months ahead.Virunga volcanoes: best weather · Central plateau: best weather · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
SeptemberGoodMostly dry; Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony is often held around September — check.Virunga volcanoes: fine · Central plateau: fine · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: fineCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
OctoberMixedShort rains start.Virunga volcanoes: rainy · Central plateau: rainy · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
NovemberMixedWet; quiet parks.Virunga volcanoes: rainy · Central plateau: rainy · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
DecemberGoodRains ease mid-month; Christmas trips fill lodges.Virunga volcanoes: fine · Central plateau: fine · Lake Kivu and Nyungwe: rainyCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Rwanda, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
Jan: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 2
Feb: 2

January: Short dry season: good trekking, green hills.

February: Dry and warm; Heroes' Day on 1 Feb.

Rwanda: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Virunga volcanoesVolcanoes NP, Musanze	Best	Best	Wet	Wet	Wet	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	OK
Central plateauKigali, Huye	Best	Best	Wet	Wet	Wet	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	OK
Lake Kivu and NyungweGisenyi, Kibuye, Nyungwe Forest	OK	OK	Wet	Wet	Wet	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	Wet
Eastern savannaAkagera	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	Best	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	OK