Climate Chart Kigali – 1,600m/5,250ft
Straddling the equator, Rwanda has little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year and no real winter or summer. There is a defined Dry season from June to September. January and February are drier months in the middle of the Wet season (which runs from October to May).
Kigali’s Climate Compared to Rwanda’s Parks
In general, the east of Rwanda, including Akagera National Park, shares the warm climate of Kigali. However, it never gets extremely hot due to the relatively high altitude. The parks in the western mountainous area, including Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks, are a lot colder with daytime temperatures around 16°C to 21°C (61°F to 70°F), due to the even higher altitude. The temperature drops by about 6.5°C for every 1,000m you climb (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft). The latter three parks are also a lot wetter due to the mountain peaks and rainforest habitat.
Dry Season –June to September
There is little rainfall during these months in most of the country, but it can still rain at any time in the rainforests.