Always check Rwanda’s climate and weather to know the best month to visit. The country lies two degrees south of the equator and has a high altitude, which gives it a tropical highland climate. This makes it a good place for adventure. There are two main seasons in Rwanda, and each covers certain months.
The dry season starts in January and February, bringing warm weather, although sometimes you may still see some rain in the lower areas. Daytime temperatures are hot, but nights are much cooler, so you will need a jacket.
The dry season continues from June to mid-September and is considered the long dry season, which is generally the best time to visit Rwanda. December to February is the short dry season, which dries up most of the grasslands.
The rainy season runs from March to the end of April or early May, and the rain is heavy and steady. Rain also falls from mid-October to mid-December. If you visit the volcanoes, you will find it rains almost all the time because the area gets 90% of Rwanda’s total rainfall. However, there are times when the skies are clear, allowing you to go trekking or enjoy game drives.
Temperatures in Rwanda change from time to time because of its equatorial climate, which is affected by altitude. Temperatures can be as low as 50s°F and as high as mid-80s°F throughout the year. The average temperatures each month are:
- January – 79°F
- February – 85°F
- March – 85°F
- April – 77°F
- May – 75°F
- June – 79°F
- July – 80°F
- August – 77°F
- September – 75°F
- October – 75°F
- November – 75°F
- December – 80°F
Temperatures also change depending on the location. For example, Kigali has an average daily temperature of about 21°C. During the dry season, there is usually light cloud cover with light showers.
Remember, climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a place, while weather is the daily condition recorded for a short period. Always know the difference and plan your trip well, because it does not rain forever in any tourist spot.
Rwanda is a great country to visit and is open all year round to welcome you.
