I had the rewarding opportunity to travel to Rwanda in June of this year. I stayed there for almost a week and had a great time. The people were very warm, laid back, and friendly. I spent most of my time in the capital of Kigali. We stayed at the Marriot Hotel, which was very accommodating and pleasant. The weather was mild, not hot or cold, but very comfortable. The streets were immaculate, and the city seemed safe to move about.
Rwanda might be one of Africa’s smallest nations, measuring about the same as the state of Maryland in the United States. Despite this, the country of East Africa packs a powerful punch thanks to its reputation for safety and stability, bustling capital city from which contemporary, global culture has grown, and several top-notch national parks. The best time to travel to Rwanda is doing the dry season from June to October since it offers the finest trekking terrain and gorilla sighting opportunities. But Rwanda is a year-round vacation spot, with advantages and disadvantages in each season.
Climate in Rwanda
Due to its near the equator, Rwanda does not have the traditional seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Instead, despite variations in height from location to location, temperatures are generally stable throughout the year. On any given day, you can anticipate average lows of around 60 degrees and average highs of about 80 degrees in Kigali, the country’s capital. Seasons of dry weather and rain are distinguished in Rwanda. June through October are the drier months of the year.
Then, a brief dry season from December to February is followed by a short rainy season from late October to early November and a long rainy season from March to May. Both dry seasons are generally more expensive, and gorilla permits, tours, and lodging frequently sell out months in advance. As a result, although gorilla permits are always the same price of $1,500 per person, fewer tourists and reduced costs can be reasons to travel during the rainy seasons.
Optimal Season for Gorilla Trekking
The main draw for many tourists to Rwanda is the opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park (which I was not able to do). One of only four national parks in the world to provide this experience, this protected area in the Virunga Mountains is frequently regarded as one of the best. However, it can be challenging to hike through the cloud forest to find the park’s habituated troops, and it frequently takes several hours to spot the gorillas. Although Volcanoes National Park has rains throughout the year, conditions are more accessible from June to October when the paths are less slick. Additionally, the likelihood of a dry trek is substantially higher during this time.
Most importantly, there is less foliage to block your view at this time of year, making it easier to see gorillas. No of the season, group numbers are capped at eight hikers to avoid uncomfortable crowding. Because of a limited supply and great demand, permits must be reserved much in advance.
Long Dry Season
With the least rainfall of any season, Rwanda’s long dry season is the busiest travel period. For instance, in Kigali, the average number of days with precipitation is two in June and one in July, with the likelihood of rainfall increasing as the season goes on. Remember that Volcanoes National Park is located in a rainforest, so it will likely rain whenever you visit. The long dry season, however, is when the terrain is most forgiving, making it easier to see notable species like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, and buffalos. In Akagera National Park, where plains game tends to congregate near water sources, sightings are thus more frequent; this is another prime wildlife viewing time. Accommodations and tours should be reserved well in advance for both parks, and since gorilla permits are in demand, you should acquire yours before confirming the rest of your reservations.
Events to Consider
Liberation Day, observed on July 4, honors the Rwandan Patriotic Front’s overthrow of the Habyarimana administration in 1994. With government-sponsored activities, concerts, a military parade, a presidential address, and a soccer match between Rwanda and Uganda, this occasion recognized the end of the Rwandan Genocide.
Rwanda Film Festival: Recognized as one of the continent’s most significant film events, the Rwanda Film Festival is held in Kigali every July to promote the nation’s “Hillywood” film industry.
Brief Rainy Season
The short rainy season, which lasts from late October to early November, averages 17 days of precipitation per month in Kigali, with considerably more in the rainforests of Volcanoes National Park. Rain makes hiking conditions less enjoyable because there is a lot of mud, which makes the steep trails dangerously slick. Though rainfall is less constant than it is during the prolonged rainy season, it can still be a favorable time to go due to lower tour and lodging costs and more readily available permits. As migrant species arrive at all three of the nation’s major national parks (Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe), it is also one of the best times to travel for birders. Numerous local species are currently in breeding plumage and are consequently particularly photogenic. The rainy seasons are the most significant travel time if tracking Nyungwe’s habituated chimpanzee troops is at the top of your bucket list. The chimpanzees are less active and simpler to identify during the rains.
Events to Consider
Kwita Izina: In September each year at Volcanoes National Park, Kwita Izina is a traditional naming ritual for all gorillas born there the previous year. The festivities include traditional singing, dancing, conservation activities, and artistic performances.
Short Dry Season
Although there is a significant drop in rainfall from December to February compared to November, the short dry season is less dry than June to October. Despite this, it is still a fantastic alternative for individuals who cannot travel to Rwanda during the lengthy dry season because it offers pleasant trekking conditions, plenty of sunshine between downpours, and slightly milder temperatures. The risk of malaria decreases with the cooler weather, although prophylactics are always advised for all travelers to Rwanda, regardless of region or season. Remember that December is the most popular month to visit Rwanda and that lodging, especially in Kigali and the national parks, is frequently at a premium rate, even though it may be easier to obtain a gorilla trekking permit now than during the peak season. Due to the holiday vacation period, there is also an increase in both domestic and international travelers.
Long Rainy Season
The long rains, which last from March to May, are particularly persistent in the mountainous regions. Although it is feasible to go gorilla trekking at this time of year, April, in particular, is best avoided because the weather is so wet that the routes can become impassable, and photography is particularly challenging. However, there are benefits to visiting Volcanoes National Park, including more permit options, less expensive lodging, fewer tourists, and frequently shorter hiking distances because the gorillas tend to stick to the lower slopes at this time of year. Similar to the brief rainy season, this is an excellent time to go bird watching throughout Rwanda and one of the best times to go chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe. The rains in Akagera National Park give the savanna vistas a lush splendor they might not otherwise have.
Events to Consider
The Kigali International Peace Marathon, which is customarily held in May or June, is a significant occasion that draws athletes from all over the world to the capital city of Rwanda.
Genocide Memorial Day: Beginning on April 7, Rwanda observes a period of national mourning for those lost during the Rwandan Genocide, which continues through Liberation Day on July 4.
Climate, Seasons, and Temperatures in Rwanda
Due to its high altitude and predominantly mountainous geography, Rwanda has a significantly milder climate than one might anticipate, given its proximity to the equator. Although they may vary from location to location based on altitude, local temperatures are constant year-round, like in most equatorial countries. Rwanda features two rainy seasons and two dry seasons in place of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
The lengthy dry season lasts from June to mid-September, is often considered the best time to travel if you want to see animals and have nice weather. Even throughout the short rainy season from October to November, the short dry season from December to February, and the long rainy season from March to May, Rwanda’s most well-liked activities are still accessible. There are advantages to the rainy season, such as lower pricing, fewer tourists, and less competition for trekking permits. Find out which season is best for your plans by reading on.
Climate in Kigali
The capital city of Rwanda is 5,000 feet above sea level and situated roughly in the middle of the nation. Rwanda has many attractions, including vibrant marketplaces, a thriving art scene, museums, and memorials to those who perished in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. The year-round average high and low temperatures are between 80- and 82-degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 62 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The wettest month is April, and the driest month is in July. Kigali receives 37.5 inches of rainfall a year.
However, even during the dry season, there aren’t many hours of sunshine, and it usually has some cloud cover. Kigali is unquestionably an all-year-round vacation destination. That being said, the best times to go sightseeing are from June to mid-September and from December to February. The cost of lodging is likewise at its highest, and rooms frequently fill up quickly. Travelers on a tight budget would opt to go during the brief rainy season (October to November).
Best Activities in Rwanda
Rwanda, a landlocked country encircled by the Great Rift Valley, is one of Africa’s smallest and most populous nations. The mist-covered mountains in the west and the savanna plains in the east make up this subtropical, equatorial region. Although Rwanda is one of just two sites in the world where you may view mountain gorillas in the wild without jeopardizing your safety, there is much more to the country than its critically endangered primates. Discover little-known national parks, artistically vibrant communities, and memorials honoring the victims of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.
Enjoy the Ambience at Kigali’s Kimironko Market
Go to Kimironko Market in the same-named area for an introduction to Kigali life at its most vibrant and chaotic. It is the busiest market in the city and attracts traders from all across East Africa. Produce, clothing, and other needs are sold alongside traditional arts and crafts in stalls that compete for space. Choose a large piece of vibrantly patterned kitenge fabric and have a standout piece made by a skilled seamstress at the market for a genuinely one-of-a-kind keepsake. When enquiring about prices, haggling is typical and can be enjoyable. The market opens every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Explore the Art Galleries in Kigali
A thriving modern art scene, led by a number of prominent studios and galleries, is at the center of the post-genocide Kigali. Some of the more popular ones are the Niyo Art Gallery, the Inema Arts Center, and the Ivuka Arts Centre. Ten resident artists who work in a variety of media have access to studio space at Inema. In its gallery area, it also holds workshops, training sessions, and exhibitions. Ivuka Arts Centre, which also provides dance and music lessons for youth, allows you to speak with the artists behind the works on exhibit. Likewise, Niyo Art Gallery is a superb illustration of a gallery that doubles as a studio and cultural hub.
To Find Gorillas. Visit the Volcanoes National Park
Only 1,000 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, making them a critically endangered species. Rwandan gorilla trekking tours depart from Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of the country. In pursuit of habituated soldiers, you will go through the tropical montane cloud forest. When you find the gorillas, you will be amazed at how much their behavior resembles that of your own friends and family, which is not surprising given that they share 98 percent of human DNA. Even if there are few expensive trekking permits available, the experience is once in a lifetime.
Visit the Ethnographic Museum to Learn about Traditional Culture
One of Rwanda’s six national museums is the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda, which is situated in Huye (formerly Butare), in the country’s southeast. The Belgian king gave it to the country as a gift in the late 1980s to commemorate 25 years of independence. It consists of seven exhibition halls with good lighting and labels that are packed with various traditional culture-related antiques. Admire exquisitely crafted attire, real hunting and farming implements, and a traditional home that depicts how native Rwandans lived before to the arrival of the colonial era. The museum also has a craft area and frequently presents drumming and dancing performances. Each adult must pay 6,000 Rwandan francs (about $6) to enter.
Lie back on Lake Kivu Beach.
The largest lake in Rwanda and the sixth largest in Africa is Lake Kivu, which has a surface area of roughly 1,040 square miles and is situated on the border with the DRC. It’s an absolutely gorgeous location to unwind for a few days in between travels with its deep, emerald-green lakes and bordering mountains. The majority of tourists travel to Rubavu, a laid-back resort town from the colonial era on the lake’s northern coast with a variety of beachfront bars, eateries, and hotels. Make Lake Kivu Serena Hotel your home base and take a guided island tour or a sundowner sail to explore the lake. Additionally, Kingfisher Journeys offers multi-day and sunset kayaking excursions.
The Congo Nile Trail
If you are feeling very daring, you may even take a long hike or bike ride along the Congo Nile Trail to learn more about the lake. Starting at Rubavu, this 141-mile journey consists of dirt roads and unpaved trails. From there, it winds through the thick woodland and picturesque countryside for several kilometers before ascending into the area’s tea plantations. It eventually comes to an end south of the lake in Cyangugu. You’ll encounter welcoming Rwandans in little rural settlements along the road, and you’ll be treated to some breathtaking scenery. You have two options for completing the trail: either go it alone or go on a trip with a company like Rwandan Adventures.
Dinner at the Hotel Rwanda: Reality Check
People who saw the 2004 movie “Hotel Rwanda” will be familiar with the tale of a hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina, who used his position to conceal more than 1,200 refugees during the Rwandan genocide, ultimately saving their lives. The opulent Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali served as their home. The hotel is still a classy venue for dinner or cocktails with a view of the pool, which was previously the only source of water for the hidden refugees, even though it isn’t quite as glamorous as it once was. Before you go, read Edouard Kayihura’s “Inside the Hotel Rwanda,” which provides a different account of the events from the one that Hollywood portrays.
The Nyamirambo Women’s Center was established in 2007 by 18 Rwandan women who resided in Kigali’s Nyamirambo district. The center, which aims to help victims of gender-based violence and prejudice learn artisan skills and earn a living, now sells a wide variety of accessories, home goods, and children’s apparel. You can also go on an unforgettable cultural tour, such as a walking tour of Nyamirambo that includes a quick lesson in Kinyarwanda and a stop at a nearby hairdresser. Alternatively, enroll in a traditional cooking lesson or a session for sisal basket making. The price of a tour is 15,000 Rwandan Francs (about $16) plus 3,000 Francs (about $3) for lunch.
The Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa are the key ethnic groups that make up the population of Rwanda. Hutu and Tutsi tensions have always been intense, and in April 1994, the Hutu President of Rwanda, Juvenal Habyarimana, was murdered when a Tutsi rebel plane shot down his jet. Up to one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed as revenge in the months that followed. The Kigali Genocide Memorial has exhibits that describe the reasons behind the atrocities that took place as well as their outcomes—starting at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility doubles as a mass grave for around 250,000 genocide victims seven days a week.
Travel 20 miles south of the city to Nyamata Church for an especially sobering look at the genocide’s horrors. 10,000 Tutsi sought refuge from their Hutu attackers here, as well as at other churches in Rwanda, but were ultimately slaughtered when the church doors were pushed open with grenades. About 50,000 total genocide victims are currently interred in the Nyamata memorial, and the skulls, bones, and blood-stained clothing of those who died there are preserved on display so that the genocide’s atrocities will never be minimized or denied. Starting at 7 a.m., the church is open to 5 p.m. daily.
Wrap-Up by Doc T Elliott
I want to go back to Kigali, Rwanda, in the near future. My stay there was relaxing and enjoyable. The people were easy to communicate with and mostly spoke English. What was most interesting is how Rwandans are coping after the genocide in 1994. This terrific and sad event of killing one group by another left many dead less than thirty years ago. Now, they are coming together to build a nation that is a testament to reconciliation and forgiveness. Understanding the power of healing and moving forward was indeed a lesson learned.