On the way to Kabale by Babak Fakhamzadeh via Flickr Creative Commons

Rwanda displays a typically temperate climate despite its close proximity to the equator. This is largely a result of the country’s high altitude. There are three main seasons – one dry and two rainy – with each season displaying conditions suitable for different activities. Temperatures also tend to differ from north to south with the northern, more mountainous areas being cooler than the warmer south.

The Rwandan dry season spans the months from June to September. This season boasts the warmest temperatures but it is not an unbearable time in the country as the mercury rarely rises above 77°F. Most of the terrain during this time is brown and barren, but there are a few activities, like wildlife spotting, which are best done during this time.

The country experiences two main rainy seasons. The first rainy season starts in March and ends in June, while the second occurs from October to December. The first rainy season is by far the heavier of the two, with the second seeing light and sporadic showers. Temperate are much cooler during these times with the days seeing temperature figures in the range of 50°F.

Best Time to Visit Rwanda

The best time to visit Rwanda depends entirely on the activities travelers intend to engage in. Dry season provides the perfect conditions for wildlife safaris as the animals will be drawn to waterholes more frequently and thus in plain sight. The heat is also perfect for gorilla trekking as the trails are drier and easier to navigate, and more gorillas will be visible. The rainy seasons are, however, the best time to observe chimpanzees in their natural environment as most areas are green and lush.

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