Best time to go to Rwanda to see gorillas

While it is possible to see gorillas in Rwanda throughout the year, there are two periods which are typically considered the best times for trekking. From June to September and December to February Rwanda experiences its driest conditions, making these the best times for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is typically more comfortable in these dry season months, with better visibility and easier walking conditions due to less mud, although it can rain at any time. Due to Volcanoes National Park’s tropical climate and high elevation, it also experiences lower temperatures than one would expect of an equatorial country, meaning it also never really gets unbearably warm.

During these months, it’s a good idea to add a classic savannah safari to your itinerary in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park. Here, the drier seasons make wildlife viewing easier as the animals tend to congregate around the various water sources, making sightings more predictable and rewarding. 

Rwanda in December–February

December through February are some of the best months of the year to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Due to the drier conditions, the trails are less muddy and easier to navigate, while clearer weather means better visibility in the forest, making it easier to take photographs of the gorillas. That said, showers in this mountainous rainforest environment are still common at any time of year. 

This is also an excellent time to combine gorilla trekking with a safari in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, where the dry conditions draw wildlife to water sources, improving your chances of seeing the Big 5. As one of Rwanda's most popular travel periods, permits and accommodation often sell out months in advance, so planning ahead is essential. If you're hoping for fewer visitors, lower accommodation rates, or don't mind a little more rain in exchange for quieter trails, March through May could be a better fit.

March through May heralds Rwanda's long rainy season, bringing frequent, and often heavy, rainfall to Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking is possible throughout this period, and the gorillas themselves remain just as active, but the experience is often more adventurous. Trails become muddier and more slippery, so a reasonable level of fitness and waterproof gear are especially important.

The upside is that the rainforest is at its most lush and vibrant and the dramatic, mist-filled landscapes make encounters feel even more magical. Visitor numbers are also generally lower during these months, meaning a quieter experience and better accommodation rates. If you're looking for the easiest trekking conditions, the clearest views and the best opportunity to combine gorilla trekking with a Big 5 safari, June through September or December through February may be a better time to visit.

June through September is widely regarded as one of the best times to go to Rwanda to see gorillas. The second dry season of the year offers comfortable trekking conditions, with firmer trails, less mud and cooler daytime temperatures that make hiking through the dense forests of Volcanoes National Park even more enjoyable. While gorilla sightings are consistently excellent throughout the year, the firmer, drier trails make trekking easier for those with lower fitness levels, although a reasonable level of stamina is still required. The relatively dry weather also creates better opportunities for photography, with improved visibility. 

This is another ideal season for extending your trip to Rwanda with a safari in Akagera National Park, with wildlife congregating around rivers and waterholes in the dry conditions, making sightings of lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards more likely. Because this is Rwanda's peak travel season, gorilla permits are in particularly high demand and should be booked well in advance. If you're hoping to avoid peak-season crowds and don't mind occasional rain, October and November offer a quieter alternative.

October and November bring Rwanda's short rainy season, but gorilla trekking is still possible. Rain showers are often shorter and more intermittent than during the long rains, and the days still provide excellent trekking opportunities. The rainforest is beautifully green, waterfalls can be seen in places and the mist drifting through the bamboo forests creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

Visitor numbers tend to be lower than during the peak dry season, making for a more peaceful experience and occasionally better value on accommodation. However, trails can become muddy after rain, and photography may be more challenging when conditions are overcast.