Best Time to Visit – Volcanoes NP

Ariadne van Zandbergen
Expert
By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Rwanda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Rwanda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Rwanda.

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Rwanda.

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Volcanoes NP is open for gorilla trekking and hiking throughout the year. Sightings of gorillas are almost guaranteed and don’t depend on the weather. However, the trails become very slippery in heavy rain and hiking is definitely easier in the Dry season months, from June to August, and to a lesser extent in early September, December and January.

Best Time June to early September (It is drier and trails are easier to hike)
High Season June to September (Permits may sell out and lodges charge higher rates)
Low Season March, April, October and November (These are the peaks of the rains)
Best Weather June to August (Least rain)
Worst Weather March and April (Most rain, forest trails are slippery)

June to August –Dry Season

  • Drier trails make hiking easier and pleasant
  • The sun is more likely to break through the clouds
  • Gorilla trekking is easier
  • It is hard to obtain the limited gorilla trekking permits in the high season
  • Lodges might be full and charge more

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (25)
+23 Photos Want to Visit

September to May –Wet Season

  • Gorilla permits are easier to obtain
  • Lodges might have discounted rates
  • The rain doesn’t diminish the experience of seeing the gorillas
  • Rain can make forest trails challenging
  • It might rain for days

Wildlife Photos
+23 Photos

Best Time to Go to Rwanda by Major Park

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Good
Fair
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  • Akagera National Park
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD
  • Volcanoes National Park
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD

Want to Visit Volcanoes NP?