When To Go

You can visit Rwanda all year round but it is good to bear in mind the wet and dry seasons. During the wet season accessibility to destinations can be affected. March through May is the period of the "long rains" with April and May being the wettest. Short rains also occur in October/November. Although the dry season is your safest bet for travel – June to October - the best time to see the chimps in Nyungwe Forest is during the rainy season.

Gorilla trekking during the long rains is do-able, but it can be a muddy and slippery venture. The saving grace is that the animals are usually found at lower elevations because there is an abundance of food brought by the rain. During the dry months, the hiking is easier but the gorillas may be further up the mountain slopes in search of food. In summary, the rule of thumb for gorilla trekking is:

April/May: not good

June – September: excellent

October/November: fair (affected by short rains)

December – March: good