Rwanda has two dry seasons and two rainy seasons, and the dry seasons are the best time to visit Kigali and travel to the national parks. The long dry season runs from June through September — ideal for gorilla trekking and game drives, with clear skies and cool nights. The short dry season in January and February is also pleasant, though briefer.
The long rainy season runs from March through May, and the short rains fall in October and November. Kigali functions well in the rain — the city's good roads and infrastructure make it manageable — but the national parks become muddier and gorilla tracking harder in wet conditions. Rwanda is never swelteringly hot; the capital sits at 1,566 metres above sea level and temperatures are consistently moderate year-round, typically between 15°C at night and 27°C during the day.
Kwita Izina, the annual gorilla naming ceremony, takes place in September and draws visitors from around the world. The Kigali Jazz Junction festival is held in May, though dates vary by year.