Rwanda has two rainy seasons and one long dry season, and temperatures change little between them. Kigali's average daily temperature is 21°C. The dry months, June to mid-September, make roads and paths easier, and gorilla permits carry a conditional discount from November to May.
Which season suits you depends on what you plan to do. This guide sets out the seasons from official sources, then the trip planning that goes with them: gorillas, holidays and closures.
Rwanda's Seasons Month By Month
Meteo Rwanda, the national weather service, says Rwanda has two rainy seasons, one centered around March to May and the other around October to December, with the main rainfall in March to May and September to December. Visit Rwanda gives slightly wider windows: mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December. The two official sources differ at the edges, so treat the shoulder weeks as uncertain.
Put together, the year looks like this:
January to mid-February. Outside both rainy windows.
Mid-February or March to May. The longer rains.
June to mid-September. The dry season, with light cloud cover and occasional light rainfall, per Visit Rwanda.
Mid-September or October to December. The shorter rains.
Temperatures vary little through the year, according to Meteo Rwanda. Visit Rwanda says peak temperatures rarely exceed 30°C in the daytime or drop below 15°C at night.
For a closer look at one season, see our guide to Kigali in the rains.
The Dry Season In Kigali
Visit Rwanda says the dry season runs from June to mid-September and that dry conditions make roads and paths easier to travel. That helps if your plans include day trips by road or walking between sights.
The central and eastern parts of the country are drier than the western highlands, because the western mountains put them in a rain shadow, according to Meteo Rwanda. Eastern lowland areas are warmer, with annual averages of 20 to 21°C, and the central plateau cooler at 17.5 to 19°C.
Pack sunscreen in any season. The hotel recommends it for every visitor.
Gorilla Trekking And The Parks
Gorilla permits cost 1,500 US dollars per person per day. The minimum age is 15, and you gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7:00 am. Our gorilla page covers the basics.
Visit Rwanda does not name a best month for trekking, and it advises a lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain. The Rwanda Development Board's booking portal offers a 30% low-season discount, applicable from November to May. To qualify you must combine the trek with a stay at Akagera or Nyungwe, and cash payment at the park is not permitted. Read its full conditions before you book.
Public Holidays And Closures
The government's holiday list for 2026 shows 12 public holidays. Those that matter for a trip include Heroes Day on 2 February, Good Friday on 3 April, Easter Monday on 6 April, Genocide against the Tutsi Memorial Day on 7 April, Labor Day on 1 May, Independence Day on 1 July, Liberation Day on 4 July, Umuganura Day on 1 August, Assumption Day on 15 August, and Christmas and Boxing Day on 25 and 26 December. Check the page for the year you travel.
Two closures catch visitors out. The national museums are closed on 7 April, 25 December and 1 January. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and normally closed to the public on the morning of 7 April, the start of Kwibuka. It can also close at short notice for VIP visits.
Banks and foreign exchange bureaus are closed on Sundays and public holidays, according to the embassy page. The last Saturday of each month is Umuganda, when shops close and buses stop, so read our Umuganda guide before planning that day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the rainy season in Rwanda?
Meteo Rwanda describes two rainy seasons, one centered around March to May and the other around October to December. Visit Rwanda gives mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December.
When is the dry season?
June to mid-September, according to Visit Rwanda.
Is it cold in Kigali?
Not usually. Visit Rwanda gives Kigali an average daily temperature of 21°C and says nights rarely drop below 15°C.
Is there a low season for gorilla permits?
The booking portal lists a 30% low-season discount from November to May, with conditions that include a stay at Akagera or Nyungwe.
Pick Your Dates And Book
Choose the season that fits your plans, check the holidays for your dates, and send a booking request on the reservation page.