Rwanda in May

Rain eases late; some lodges discount.

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatDry season; Kwibuka period continues to early July.
• JulyGreatPeak trekking; Liberation Day 4 July.
• AugustGreatPeak; book permits 6+ months ahead.
• JanuaryGreatShort dry season: good trekking, green hills.

• Virunga volcanoes · Volcanoes NP, Musanzerainy

  2,500–3,500 m on the treks: cold mornings, rain any month, mud Mar–May and Oct–Nov.

• Central plateau · Kigali, Huyerainy

  Mild around 25 °C (77 °F) by day; two rainy seasons.Mild around 77 °F (25 °C) by day; two rainy seasons.

• Lake Kivu and Nyungwe · Gisenyi, Kibuye, Nyungwe Forestrainy

  Nyungwe is a rainforest — wet all year, driest June–August.

• Eastern savanna · Akagerarainy

  Lower and warmer; dry season concentrates animals at the lakes.

• Kigali25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 14 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 14 rain days
• Butare26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 13 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 13 rain days
• Cyangugu25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 16 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 16 rain days
• Gisenyi27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 8 rain days
• Kabuga25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 5 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 5 rain days
• Kibeho28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 4 rain days
• Kibungo24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Kibuye27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain days
• Muhanga25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 11 rain days
• Nyamata24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 10 rain days
• Ruhengeri24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Rwamagana24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 14 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 14 rain days

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.

• Labour Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

• Umuganda

  Last Saturday monthly, 08:00–11:00Last Saturday monthly, 8:00 AM–11:00 AM

  Community work; traffic stops and shops shut until about midday.

Crowds · Rwanda

Low

Prices · Rwanda

Medium

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

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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