Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Rwanda.
Looking into the eyes of a mountain gorilla is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But there is plenty more on offer in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is the place to be for gorilla trekking. Chimpanzees and 12 other primates can be found in Nyungwe National Park, and Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five. For some relaxation, why not stay a few days on the shore of scenic Lake Kivu.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Located in the Albertine Rift, known as a biodiversity hot spot, Rwanda has an amazing variety of animals. Aside from gorillas and chimps you can see many other primates, such as Ruwenzori colobus and golden monkeys. Boat trips are great for seeing hippos and crocodiles, and Akagera’s savannah plains teem with wildlife, including giraffe, buffalo, zebra and defassa waterbuck. Lions are never far away either.
Activities
Almost everybody who visits Rwanda to see wildlife goes gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Other exciting subjects for trekking include the same park’s golden monkeys, and the chimps and Ruwenzori colobus of Nyungwe. More sedate safari activities such as game drives, night drives and boat trips are available in Akagera. All Rwanda's parks offer superb bird watching, and spectacular day hikes can be undertaken in Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks.
Weather & Climate
As Rwanda straddles the equator, temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year and there is no real winter or summer. Daytime temperatures are around 27°C/81°F. There is a Dry season (from June to September) and a Wet season (from October to May). The Wet season is divided into the short and long rains with a short period of drier weather in between. The short rains are from October to December and the long rains are the wettest months from March to May.
Best Time To Visit
Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year, but rainfall tends to be high and it is recommended to avoid the wettest month of April. During these months, the trails tend to be very slippery, which makes gorilla trekking more challenging. Rain can also interfere with your gorilla trekking experience, which is time-limited and very special. Overall, the best time to visit the country is from June to September when sunny weather is more likely and wildlife is easier to spot.
