When is the Best Time for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa?

If you’re dreaming of getting up close with the legendary mountain gorillas in Africa, and trying to make this dream come true, you’ll be wondering when the best time for Rwanda gorilla trekking tours is. 

So let’s dive deeper into the best time to embark on this adventure of a lifetime and the important things you need to know before you go gorilla trekking in Rwanda... 

The Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Rwanda gorillas, Volcanoes National Park

The allure of intimate encounters with the enchanting mountain gorillas in Africa draws travellers from across the globe to the lush landscapes of Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda. Nestled in the beautiful Virunga mountains, this national park is one of only three places on earth where these endangered primates still roam freely in the wild, making it an incredibly important and special place.

The continued existence of these majestic animals is in no small way down to the remarkable conservation efforts of Volcanoes National Park, which has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the habitat of the mountain gorillas in Africa and promoting their population growth. Through community engagement, anti-poaching measures, and habitat preservation, the park's guardians have created a haven where these threatened mountain gorillas can thrive. 

However, global numbers of these amazing mountain gorillas are still tiny and under threat, so getting to see these gentle giants is a real privilege, only afforded to small numbers of nature-loving adventurers. 

If you’re lucky enough to be one of the few who get to see these incredible creatures, then you’ll definitely need to know the best time for Rwanda gorilla trekking. And to understand this, you need to know what’s involved in Rwanda gorilla safaris…

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours Explained

Rwanda mountain gorillas in Africa

As their name implies, mountain gorillas inhabit high-altitude realms of between 8,000 and 13,000 feet. The journey to witness these magnificent apes in the wild therefore requires some hiking effort!

The length and difficulty of your gorilla trek will depend on which family of gorillas you are tracking and where they were last seen. As such, Rwanda gorilla treks can last anywhere between 1-6 hours, which includes hiking to find a specific family, watching them, and then returning back to your start point, where your transport out of the national park will wait for you.

So you do need to come prepared for a full day of activity!

You should also be in relatively good shape before you start hiking through the dense, tropical jungles of Rwanda. But if you are reasonably fit, you should be fine and the reward is beyond imagination!

Picture misty mountains, covered in lush forest and shrouded in ethereal mist. The magic of this experience unfolds as you come face-to-face with a gorilla family, observing their social interactions, playful antics, and serene moments. 

Rwanda gorilla family

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a year-round activity, and you can enjoy this incredible experience regardless of the season. The mountain gorillas are not migratory, so you can find them in the same areas throughout the year.

However, there are factors that make some times of year more popular for gorilla trekking than others. 

Because it can be quite a big trek through mountainous terrain, the best time for Rwanda gorilla trekking tours is generally in the country’s dry season when the weather results in more optimal hiking conditions.

This makes the gorilla trek more pleasant, as well as more accessible for people of different ability levels. 

So when is that? Let’s look at Rwanda’s seasons…

Rwanda Climate & Seasons

Rwanda gorilla baby

Due to its close proximity to the equator, Rwanda’s climate is tropical. However, because of the country’s high altitude (it’s not known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’ for nothing!), the temperatures stay moderate and pleasant year-round. 

The thing that does fluctuate, however, is rainfall. The country has four seasons: 1 short and 1 long rainy season, plus 1 short and 1 long dry season. 

The dry seasons are generally June to September (the long dry period) and December to early February (the short dry period). 

March to May and October to November are considered the wet seasons, bringing increased rainfall to the hills and plains of Rwanda. 

Both the wet and dry seasons have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to gorilla trekking in Rwanda, though it’s widely thought that hiking in the dry season is preferable. 

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in the Dry Season 

Rwanda gorillas trek, Volcanoes

During the dry seasons, the weather is generally drier, making gorilla trekking conditions far more favourable. 

Trails are less muddy and hiking is more comfortable. Clearer skies also offer better visibility for photography - an advantage if you want to snap those moments of a lifetime with the mountain gorillas. 

A further advantage of gorilla trekking in Rwanda at this time is the lower risk of malaria that comes with the dry season. 

But this period is also peak season for Rwanda gorilla trekking; so expect to pay higher prices on things like accommodation, flights, and car hire. 

Permits to see the mountain gorillas at this time of year are also much more sought-after, so don’t expect to book this as a last-minute trip - you’ll need to book your gorilla trek months in advance! 

And a piece of advice… do still pack your waterproof! The Equatorial climate of Rwanda can be unpredictable, so a ‘dry season’ here doesn’t necessarily guarantee no rain! 

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in the Rainy Season 

Rwanda gorilla trekking

It’s true that the rainy season brings less pleasant walking conditions! The more slippery trails and decreased visibility are not ideal for beginners, but with the rains come lush, vibrant landscapes - the forests are at their most beautiful during this time.

There are also fewer tourists, so don’t be completely put off by the rains, as you might well have the mountains of Rwanda to yourself!

And it will certainly mean cheaper off-peak prices on some parts of your trip too. During the rainy season, hotels have lower occupancy and often give travellers discounted rates - a big appeal for budget travellers especially!

There is also lower demand for gorilla trekking permits in the wet season, which guarantees you a chance to see these endangered primates with less competition.

Best Time for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

In conclusion, both the dry and wet seasons offer unique advantages for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

The best time for Rwanda gorilla trekking is, however, generally considered to be during the country’s long dry season (June to September) or the short dry season (mid-December to early February) because of the easier hiking conditions these times offer. 

You can see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda outside of these optimum times, but bear in mind that it may be more difficult due to rainfall as well as the steep and muddy hiking paths this brings. 

Another very important point to bear in mind is that often the ‘best time’ to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is dictated by permit availability in Volcanoes National Park!

Permits are limited to a certain number of visitors each day to minimize the impact on the gorillas' habitat, so peak season permits can sometimes sell out a year in advance. To secure your Rwanda gorilla trekking permit, it's advisable to book well in advance, regardless of the season, but you’ll have to book further ahead for dry-season treks.

Planning Your Rwanda Gorilla Tour?

Rwanda gorilla tours

So there you have it - everything you need to know to plan the best time for Rwanda gorilla trekking, as well as an insight into the wonders that await you! 

Get ready to witness the wild beauty of nature in Volcanoes National Park and forge a bond with these enigmatic mountain gorillas that transcends language and species. 

We offer a fantastic, well-priced selection of Rwanda gorilla trekking tours for your once-in-a-lifetime meeting with the mountain gorillas in Africa. 

Speak to our team of Africa travel experts today to find out more. 

Silverback mountain gorilla, Rwanda