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.

Value-for-money safari in Rwanda

Credit: Beard and Curly Rwanda has a low-volume, high-cost tourism strategy, and tracking gorillas in particular can hardly be referred to as offering good value-for-money when it costs more than twice as much as it does in neighbouring Uganda. Other activities in Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks are somewhat more affordable: the hikes up the three main Virunga peaks represent far…

Foodie holiday in Rwanda

Rwanda is not a dedicated foodie destination, but there are plenty of opportunities to eat well in Kigali, and to a lesser extent Rubavu. French- and Belgian-influenced cuisine tends to dominate, but there are also plenty of good Indian, Italian, Chinese, fusion and even Ethiopian restaurants in Kigali. Elsewhere, upmarket tourists will tend to eat most meals at their lodge or camp,…

At your lodge in Rwanda

Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera National Park Never walk unaccompanied after dark in the bush or an unfenced camp or lodge. Don’t feed the wildlife – not only does it encourage it to become dependent on handouts to survive, but it may also foster problem animals. Don’t leave cash or other valuables lying around in the room. Do cover up in the evenings, spray exposed skin with…

Rwanda in July

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. July falls within the long dry season and monthly rainfall in most parts of the country is low (well below 50mm). July is an excellent month for…

Rwanda in December

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. December falls within the short rainy season and monthly rainfall in most parts of the country is high (100mm or higher). December is not an optimum…

Akagera National Park

The ideal complement to the primate-oriented wildlife-viewing offered at Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks, Akagera is a classic savannah reserve that has undergone an ambitious recent rehabilitation programme to become a fully-fledged Big Five safari destination. As with Rwanda other national parks, the setting is spectacular: a chain of low grassy mountains that slope down to a…

Rwanda vs Kenya

The Great Migration Mara river crossing in Kenya Rwanda offers several attractions not found in Kenya or indeed in most other safari destinations other than Uganda. Foremost among these is the opportunity to track mountain gorillas in the Virunga mountains and chimpanzees in the Nyungwe National Park. Rwanda offers far greater diversity than Kenya when it comes to forest primates,…

Medical travel insurance for Rwanda

Go for fully comprehensive medical travel insurance, inclusive of air evacuation where required. Read the small print before you sign, in the knowledge that many policies will not cover injuries sustained during recreational activities deemed to be hazardous, or in areas subject to travel warnings by the British FCO or US state department. ...

Rwanda in May

Our Recommended Itinerary

Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

Entebbe, arrival

Your drive to Kibale is well worth it

Full day with the Chimps

Onwards to Queen Elizabeth

Witness the unusual tree climbing lions

Bwindi National Park all to yourself

Gorilla trekking, enjoy every minute

Buhoma Village walk

Drive via Kisoro to Rwanda

Visit the Dian Fossey Tomb

Fly Home

Popular Rwanda Safaris

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