Are you planning to visit Rwanda soon but you are not sure of its weather and climatic conditions? Well, Rwanda is that one African state with distinct weather and climate. It boasts of its pleasant weather and climatic conditions that for long have made it a favorable safari destination. Its ideal weather conditions make it an all year round destination. Its strategic location a stride equator even puts it on an added advantage and comes with pleasantly warm temperatures with cool nights. Rwanda is dubbed the Land of a Thousand hills due to its rolling hills that also define its altitudinal range. Its climate is classified into 3 different types-the tropical savanna climate that is mainly experienced in areas like Kabarondo, Kirehe, Remera, Kibungo and Kivumu; sub-tropical highland oceanic climate-which is mainly experienced around Byumba, Cyeza, Kigoma, Rukomo and Gatuna; lastly oceanic kind of climate which is mostly experienced in Kinigi, Musanze, Kimonye, Mibilizi and Bufindi.
Annually, Rwanda’s precipitation ranges from 1000-1400 mm although this may differ across various areas. The dry season normally kick starts from to August and December to February. This season is characterized by low rainfall amount and in some parts for instance the north, it can reduce up to 100 mm each month. This magical country also experiences 2 (two) wet/rainy seasons with heavy rains mainly experienced between April and May. Kigali lies at the heart of Rwanda and it is a capital city and stands at altitude 1500 meters and receives rainfall amount of about 950 mm each year. From June to August, this capital city receives minimum amount of rainfall and maximum in April.
Kivumu experiences tropical kind of climate and its summers come with heavy rainfall compared to when it is winter. The average annual temperature range is 18.7 degrees Celsius and it comes with precipitation of about 1191 mm. Kabarondo equally has tropical climate and average temperature range is approximately 19.4 degrees Celsius and rainfall amount of 900 mm. Kirehe’s temperature range is about 19.4 degrees Celsius with rainfall amount of 898mm. Remera features tropical climate and during winter, it experiences low amount of rainfall compared to summer. The average annual temperature range is approximately 19.4 degrees Celsius and rainfall amount is about 910 mm. Kibungo equally features tropical climate and its summers come with good amount of rainfall and winter is characterized by low rainfall amount. Temperatures experienced each year go up to 19.5 degrees Celsius while its rainfall amount is about 911mm.
In the eastern side, Akagera National Park which is also Rwanda’s only savanna Grassland Park, this park stands between altitude 1300 and 1825 meters and this makes it a perfect area with pleasant weather and climatic conditions. Its wet season in most cases begins from March to May and the second phase of it starts from October to November. March usually comes with rainfall amount of about 251 mm and temperature rise up to 27 degrees Celsius and drop in the morning hours up to 20 degrees Celsius. Amazingly, each season in Akagera National Park offers you a great opportunity to view it in a new light. It has 2 seasons-the dry and wet season with wet or rainy season that starts from March to May and October to early December while the dry spell begins from June to September and mid-December to mid-February. During the dry season, very low rainfall is experienced and in most cases, several wildlife species confine around the few water bodies thus making it easier for one to catch a glimpse at varied species.
Places that are situated at a higher elevation for instance Butare, Ruhengeri and Nyanza are characterized by lower temperatures and tend to be cool at night. Musanze/Ruhengeri stands at altitude of 1800 meters. This area receives rainfall amount of about 1200 mm each year and dry season equally begins from June to August and December to February. Volcanoes National Park-northwestern Rwanda features spectacular Virunga Volcanoes with Mount Karisimbi being the highest peak and stands at altitude of about 4507 meters. Around the montane slopes, the skies are usually covered with clouds and at medium low elevation, a cloud forest grows whereas above 3000 meters, it becomes colder and vegetation sparser while the forest mainly features shrubs and at night, temperatures can drop below freezing.
Nyungwe Forest National Park straddles in the southwest stands at altitude 2500 meters and its temperatures range from 15.5 to 30 degrees Celsius. This park can be best explored at any time of the year. However, the dry season is usually regarded as the most ideal and this starts from June to August and December to February.