What Time of Year Is Best to Travel to Rwanda?


What Time of Year Is Best to Travel to Rwanda?

The well-known gorilla trek is the main reason Rwanda is on people’s bucket lists, but there are also plenty of other thrilling activities to choose from, like hiking volcanoes, chimp trekking, big five safaris in Akagera National Park, and art and culture excursions.

When is the best time to visit Rwanda? is the following question that travelers consider after deciding to go there.

The first and most significant reason is that, regardless of your country of origin, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance, making Rwanda one of the easiest, if not the easiest, African nations to visit. No! You simply take a plane to Rwanda, and when you get there, you’ll get your visa. Rwanda has a policy of “open doors.”

Due to its constant beauty and safety, Rwanda may be visited at any time of year. However, a number of factors, as I describe below, might affect the best time for you to visit:

traveling to Rwanda in the arid season.

The best time to visit Rwanda is during the warm/dry season, which lasts from June to mid-September and December to February. Rwanda has two distinct weather seasons: dry and wet. There is little to no rain throughout the dry or summer season, which greatly facilitates outdoor activities and travel. Luckily, the long dry season, which lasts from June to September, coincides with the summer, when a lot of people take vacations.

traveling to Rwanda in the rainy season.

However, there are some benefits to traveling to Rwanda during the wet/rainy season (March to April and October to part of December), as the landscape is at its best and there aren’t many tourists, so you may enjoy almost exclusive access to a number of activities. However, you need to be ready for any weather-related inconveniences (bring rain gear). The wet and slick terrain will make walking more challenging, but the mountain wildlife is always breathtaking.

The ideal time of year for Rwandan trekking safaris.

The best time to hike in the highlands to see chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park and gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season (June to September, December to February), when the trails are dry and walking is simpler. All year long, though, the wildlife can be seen.

Since you can easily explore all paths without getting stuck in the mud, the big game viewing safari in Akagera National Park is especially better during the dry season. The shorter dry grass may make it easier to see wildlife. It is more challenging to observe animals during the wet season because of the thicker grass and plants. The most beautiful scenery in Akagera, however, is found during the rainy season, when the area is covered in lush foliage.

What Time of Year Is Best to Travel to Rwanda?
The Best Time for Rwandan Birding Safaris Golden Monkey Trekking in the Virunga.

To make the most of your birdwatching trip, Rwanda is best visited during the bird migratory season. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the Palearctic migration season, especially after December when the birds start to display their vibrant plumage. This is because the birds that migrate there to escape the winter arrive in October and go in May.

Any time of year is ideal, though, if your main focus is on the resident species—especially the endemics of the Albertine Rift—especially after the migratory species have left so that identification is simple.

When is the best time to travel to Rwanda?

Although it is safe to travel to Rwanda at any time of year, there are some times of the year when you might feel uncomfortable and wish to avoid traveling, or it might be a good time to go for these particular activities.

Other occasions that present a fantastic chance to travel to Rwanda.

Naming Ceremony for Kwita Izina Baby Gorillas.

One of the most exquisite occasions in Rwanda is the naming ceremony for the Kwita Izina gorilla. The Kwita Izina ceremony, which honors juvenile gorillas born the year before, is a stunning and dramatic event that uses dance and music to highlight Rwandan cultures and customs.

The event is held in northern Rwanda, at the base of the Virunga Mountains. Notable individuals and celebrities from throughout the world attend, and they are asked to identify the gorillas. The Kwita Izina ceremony, which typically takes place in the first week of September, is a good time to plan your gorilla trekking adventure.

Ceremony of Kwibuka

Every year on April 7, Rwandans commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi, a horrific chapter in the country’s history that left the whole nation in ruins. For those who were alive or lost loved ones during the April 1994 slaughter, the genocide is brought back to life. As a guest, you can feel uneasy and empty because of the gloomy tone of today and the days ahead. This might be the worst time of year to travel to Rwanda.

For the greatest deals on private tours or safaris to Rwanda, please check our websites or get in touch with us at Explore Rwanda Tours.

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