Rwanda in May

Highlands and medium-altitude regions, for instance Kigali, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks, are warm to hot by day, and comfortably cool by night.

Low-lying Akagera National Park is hot by day, and warm by night.

May falls within the main rainy season and monthly rainfall in most parts of the country is in excess of 150-200mm.

• May ranks among the worst month for tracking gorillas and chimpanzees, since conditions tend to be very wet underfoot and there are showers most days. That said, plenty of people do track gorillas in April and you’ve a better chance of a last-minute permit. Climbing the volcanic peaks of the Virungas will be tough at this time of year.

• For birdwatchers whose main interest is non-migrant species, May is a good month to visit Rwanda, because it falls into the main breeding season, and several species are at their most colourful and conspicuous.

• The Kigali International Peace Marathon is held every May and starts and ends at Kigali’s Amahoro National Stadium.