Weather & when to go to Rwanda

Rwanda has four seasons. Temperatures are consistent at medium altitudes with little seasonal change for most of the year. The average daytime temperature is 24°C (75°F), but in the mountainous regions its range is kept down by the altitude to between 12°C (54°F) and 15°C (59°F).

Rainfall is moderate, but becomes frequent between September and June. The northeast gets more rain more often than anywhere else in Rwanda. Here the volcanoes are blanketed by a rainforest.

Good time to visit:

The climate doesn't changes massively but the rainy season is less desirable.

Worst time to go:

From mid-March – Mid-May: Rainy season. During this time, buckets of water seem to fall from the sky for a long, long time.

Best things to do in Rwanda

1. Gorilla Trekking in Parc National des Volcans is a must-do when in Rwanda
2. Chimpanzee tracking is just as fascinating
3. Visiting to the genocide museums

Areas of interest in Rwanda

Kigali

Flowing along and down the sides of a ridge in what appears to be the exact centre of Rwanda, lies Kigali, the small capital city of Rwanda. It’s a beautiful little place, with a wide variety of colourful flora and with a number of viewpoints looking out over the country’s other 999 hills. In spite of the natural splendour Kigali’s green and fertile location, there's not much else to sightsee in the city itself. Parts of the city is still wrecked from the last round of civil conflict.

Parc National des Volcans

The stunning Parc National des Volcans is the place in Africa where you should track the rare mountain gorilla and golden monkeys. It runs along the border between DR Congo and Uganda, and has a chain of seven volcanoes, the highest, Karisimbi, being more than 4500m (14,764ft).

You’ll roam among the volcanoes’ bamboo-and rainforest-covered slopes in search of the gorillas, for this is one of their last remaining habitats. Coming across a mountain gorilla is an experience many a writer has struggled to put into words, for it’s regarded by many as one of the most awe-inspiring and significant experiences known to man.

All we can say though is that once you’re face to face with a gorilla you’ll forgive the authorities for putting such a high price on the experience itself. Besides, the money goes directly into the safekeeping of these nearly extinct creatures. Despite their immense size, they’re not aggressive, and have been studied in-depth by George Schaller and Dian Fossey.

You can book your gorilla permit through the ORTPN tourist office in Kigali or a Rwandan tour company. The departure point for all visits is Ruhengeri’s ORTPN office. Parc National des Volcans also offers you the chance to trek through the volcanic chain.

Parc National Nyungwe Forest

One of the biggest protected montane rainforests in Africa, the spectacular Nyungwe Forest covers 970 sq km (374 sq mi). This is the park where you can track Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees. From here, you can also enjoy excellent views of the volcanoes of the Parc National des Virunga to the north.

The monkeys and chimps share their space with 50 species of other mammals, 270 species of tree, 275 species of bird, and an astounding variety of butterflies and orchids. Guided and unguided walking tours on the colour-coded forest trails are offered, but your chances of spotting monkeys and chimps are much better when you have a guide with you.

Headquarters for the park is at Uqinka, along with an information centre and small campsite.

Recent history of Rwanda

In the last few years, the situation in Rwanda has improved significantly. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is based in Tanzania, and it has begun bringing those individuals responsible for the terrible events of 1994 to trial.

This has resulted in large numbers of genocide refugees slowly being sent home where they can resettle while the economy is being rebuilt. This change has lured travellers back to Rwanda in small numbers.

Quick facts of Rwanda

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Medical matters

1. Malaria in Low lying areas
2. Cholera
3. Hepatitis
4. Typhoid
5. HIV/AIDS
6. Yellow fever

Getting there

You have to fly into Kigali.

Safety in Rwanda

We advise you to stay away from the borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to possible outbreaks of armed conflict.