Volcanoes National Park

Best Time to Visit

153 Volcanoes Gorilla Tours

Expert

By Ariadne van Zandbergen

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

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

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

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