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When to go · Rwanda

Rwanda in October

Mixed month. Short rains start.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Rwanda
Prices
Medium
Rwanda

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Rwanda

Short rains start.

Is another month better than October?

October is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in October

  • 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.

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

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

  • Eastern savanna · Akagerafine

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

  • Kigali26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 15 rain days
  • Butare26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Cyangugu26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 17 rain days
  • Gisenyi27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kabuga26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kibeho27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kibungo25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kibuye27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Muhanga26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Nyamata26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ruhengeri22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Rwamagana24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days

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 monthly, 08:00–11:00

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

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Rwanda
Low
Prices · Rwanda
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Oct: Mixed

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Oct: Low

    Jan: Medium

  • Prices

    Oct: Medium

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Oct: 1

    Jan: 2

October: Short rains start.

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

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

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →