Rwanda
Land of a Thousand Hills
It may be one of Africa’s smallest countries, but Rwanda is surely one of its most attractive. Here, diverse landscapes of rolling mountains and lush green forests give way to sprawling lakes and expansive savanahs, a spellbinding setting for a luxury holiday.
If the stunning landscapes don’t capture your heart, then the beautiful people, the wildlife and the activities and luxury lodges on offer in Rwanda certainly will.
For most people, a Rwandan holiday will conjure up images of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. This is the premier country for walking safaris to visit these amazing primates. Nothing will satisfy your sense of adventure more than getting up close and personal with gorillas in the Rwandan jungle.
If the gorillas bring you to Rwanda, then you can thank them for introducing you to this amazing country. A country where you can see the Big Five of African wildlife (rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo) on safari in the Akagera National Park. Where you can swim and boat and fish in Lake Kivu, or where you can roam one of the world’s most ancient forests in Nyungwe National Park.
Hekaya has travelled the country extensively and have personal relations with the leading lodges and operators on the ground there. Let’s get started on designing your custom Rwandan holiday today.
Because of its proximity to the Equator, Rwanda doesn’t really have a winter or a summer. There are two distinct wet seasons though, interspersed by dry periods, although in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest it rains the entire year through. We’d suggest preparing for rain whenever you visit, as chances are you’ll be visiting the mountain parks and can expect high rainfall. Temperatures are fairly moderate throughout the year. Let’s have a look at what the months bring.
June, July and August: Not much rainfall except in the mountain parks. Nyungwe and Volcanoes are colder, but daytime temperatures around the rest of the country are pleasant at around 27°C.
September and October: Dry but moving into the rainy season. Quite wet in the mountain parks.
November and early December: This is one of the rainy seasons, known as the ‘short rains’. It’s very wet in the mountainous national parks, but not so much in the east of the country.
January and February: These tend to be drier months.
March April and May: These are the wettest months in Rwanda, known locally as the ‘Long Rains’. Most days will experience rainfall, and sometimes it won’t let up for days in Nyungwe and Volcanoes.
Best Time to Travel to Rwanda
The best time to visit Rwanda largely depends on your travel plans and what you’d like to do.
Many people are here for the opportunity to see the mountain gorillas. While you can track them all year round, it’s easier in the drier months because it’s less muddy on your hike. So June, July and August are a good time for this.
If you’d like to see the Big Five in Akagera in the east and enjoy a luxury safari there, then much of the year is appropriate.
If you have questions about the Rwanda weather and its likely impact on your trip, get in touch with Hekaya and we can answer them for you.
Visas are easily obtainable upon arrival in Rwanda, whether at the International Airport in Kigali or at one of the land entry points. They can also be obtained online before travel, and either paid for online or at the port of entry.
The best place for information about visas to Rwanda is the government portal, which can be accessed by clicking here. Alternatively, the World Travel Guide website can offer relevant information on visa requirements for Rwanda.
