Best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking is during the long dry season from June to September and the short dry season from December to February. During these months, trails in Volcanoes National Park are drier, hikes are easier, and you get the best light for gorilla photography.
At Semu Gorilla Safaris, we trek every day of the year, but we recommend June, July and August for first-time visitors – the gorillas stay on lower slopes and permits sell out fast. The wet months of March to May and October to November are our secret season: fewer tourists, greener forest, and up to 30% off luxury lodges, with the same one-hour gorilla encounter.
Gorilla Trekking Permits are $1500 per person – we check availability for you daily and secure your trek date before you pay for flights.
Volcanoes National Park Weather by Month
| Month | Rainfall | mm | Avg Temp | Trek Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35 | 20°C | BEST | |
| Feb | 42 | 21°C | BEST | |
| Mar | 120 | 19°C | WET | |
| Apr | 190 | 18°C | HEAVIEST | |
| May | 140 | 18°C | WET | |
| Jun | 25 | 20°C | BEST | |
| Jul | 15 | 21°C | PEAK BEST | |
| Aug | 18 | 21°C | PEAK BEST | |
| Sep | 38 | 20°C | BEST | |
| Oct | 95 | 19°C | GOOD | |
| Nov | 130 | 18°C | WET - BABIES | |
| Dec | 55 | 20°C | GOOD |
Dry Season (June to September) – The Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
June to September is what most travelers mean when they say best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking. It’s the long dry season in Volcanoes National Park. The forest is still green, but the trails have dried up after the rains. You can walk without sliding, your boots stay lighter, and the rangers can move faster to find the families.
This is also the easiest time for photography. The mornings start with light mist, then the sun breaks around 9am. That soft light sits right on the gorillas’ black coats, so your photos don’t come out too dark. If you’re coming from the USA or UK for that one perfect shot, this is your window. We always advise clients to bring a 70-200mm lens for these months.
The gorillas behave differently in dry months. They feed lower down the mountain because there is plenty of bamboo shoots at 2,500 meters. That means your hike can be 45 minutes to 2 hours instead of 4-5 hours in the deep wet season. For older travelers or families, that matters a lot. You still get your full one hour with the gorillas.
The only downside is demand. Everyone knows this secret. Permits for July and August sell out by March. Lodges like Bisate and Sabyinyo double their rates. You won’t feel crowded in the forest – only 8 people per gorilla family – but you will feel it in Kigali and at the park headquarters in Kinigi, which gets busy at 6am.
As a local operator in Musanze, our advice is simple. If you want June-September, talk to us 5 months before. We hold permits for you first, then you book flights. That way you don’t pay $1,500 for a permit you can’t use. Contact us on WhatsApp and we’ll send you today’s permit calendar in 10 minutes.
Short Dry Season (December to February) – Best for Christmas and New Year Trips
December to February is Rwanda’s short dry season, and honestly, it’s our favorite. You get almost the same weather as June-September, but with fewer people. The trails are 80% dry, the skies are clear over the Virunga volcanoes, and you can combine gorillas with a classic safari in Akagera without getting rained on.
This season is perfect if you’re planning around holidays. A lot of Americans travel between Dec 20th and Jan 5th. You can do 3 days gorilla trek, then 2 days in Lake Kivu to relax. The lodges do Christmas dinners in the bush – we’ve had clients who say that was better than the trek itself. And permits are slightly easier to find than summer.
The light in January is sharper. The forest isn’t as dusty as August, so the greens pop in your video. If you’re filming for YouTube or Instagram, guides love this period because gorillas spend longer in open clearings. We’ve seen silverbacks nap for 30 minutes straight while clients film.
Temperatures are friendly too. At the park, expect 18-22°C during the day, 10°C early morning at briefing. At night around Volcanoes, it drops to 8°C, so your lodge fireplace actually makes sense. It’s not cold like Uganda’s Bwindi side – Rwanda is higher but less damp.
We recommend this season for photographers and honeymooners. You get dry-season quality with low-season peace. Just avoid Dec 25-30 if you hate crowds, or book it if you love a party – Kinigi gets festive, with local Intore dancers at the headquarters.
Wet Season (March to May & October to November) – The Green Secret Season
Wet season scares people, but it shouldn’t. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda happens every day, rain or shine. The rangers are out there in ponchos, and the gorillas are still there. They don’t migrate. In fact, in wet months, the forest is empty. You can be 2 people with 8 permits, so the ranger lets you move slower and stay longer in the sighting.
The big win is price. From March 15 to May 31 and again Oct 15 to Nov 30, most luxury lodges cut 30-40% off. A $1,200 per night lodge becomes $750. For budget and mid-range travelers, that’s how you afford Rwanda. Permits stay $1,500, but your total trip cost drops by $800 per person. Smart travelers from Europe use this trick.
Yes, it’s muddy. You will slip. That’s why we provide gaiters, hiking sticks, and porters free for our clients. The hike can be 2-4 hours because gorillas move higher to find dry sleeping spots. But the forest? It’s insane green. Every leaf is dripping, the mist hangs low on Mount Bisoke, and your photos look like National Geographic jungle – not dry grass.
October and November are what we call baby season. Many gorilla families give birth around then because there’s lots of food. We’ve seen twins in Hirwa family last November. If seeing a baby gorilla clinging to its mother is on your list, these months give you the highest chance.
So should you avoid wet season? No. Should you prepare for it? Yes. Bring waterproof hiking boots (not sneakers), waterproof trousers, and a rain cover for your camera. If you don’t have them, we lend them at our Musanze office. Just WhatsApp us your shoe size when you book.
Month by Month – When Exactly Should You Come?
January and February are dry and calm. Perfect for first trekkers. Trails firm, gorillas low, sunsets over Lake Ruhondo are clear. Book 3 months ahead. This is honeymoon sweet spot.
March to May is long rains. Hardest trekking, but cheapest lodges and only 3-4 people per group at HQ. April is the wettest – we only recommend it if you’re fit and want a real jungle adventure. Permits available even last week.
June to August is peak. Best of everything – weather, gorilla location, photos – but permits sell out fastest. If you want August, email us in February. This is also Kwita Izina season, Rwanda’s baby gorilla naming ceremony in early September, great cultural add-on.
September stays dry early, then rains start late month. Great compromise – dry trails but shoulder prices. October is short rains – afternoon showers, morning sun. Forest starts turning emerald.
November is wet but full of newborns. December starts dry again from the 10th. Christmas week is second peak, but you still get dry hikes if you go after Dec 15th. For 2026/2027, our picks are July, January, and late September for best balance of weather, price, and availability.
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari 2026-2027
Perfect for the best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking. Dry trails, easy hikes, best photos.
- Gorilla permit $1500 included
- Volcanoes National Park trek
- Kigali city tour + 4x4 & lodge
2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Fly in Friday, trek Saturday. Best for short trips and quick permit availability.
- 1 Gorilla trek in Volcanoes NP
- Same $1500 permit included
- Ideal for Dec-Feb & June-Aug
Best Time to Visit Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking – FAQs
Check Gorilla Permit Availability for Your Dates
We reply in 15 mins with live RDB calendar for June-Sept & Dec-Feb. Best time slots sell out – hold your permit free today.
