Akagera National Park

February is the peak of the short dry season. As the grass dries out under the sun, the savanna takes on a yellow hue. As in January, animals are easier to find near rivers and lakes, where they come to drink.

This is a good month both for game drives and boat trips, especially for birders. The nesting season begins on a small island in the middle of Lake Ihema, where thousands of cormorants, herons, storks, and ibises can be observed until July.

March is generally considered part of the long rainy season, but we think it is better viewed as a transitional month. The savanna gradually turns green, the rains fill temporary waterholes, and animals spread throughout the park, so you can encounter them almost anywhere.

Visitor numbers drop significantly in the second half of the month, and many lodges begin offering good discounts. The downside is that in rainy months it is harder to plan activities such as boat trips and hot-air balloon flights, as weather conditions can disrupt them. Game drives, however, take place every day.

April is the wettest month of the year, although rain usually starts in the afternoon. By then, travelers have already returned to the lodge for lunch and a rest after their morning game drive.

The tall grass makes smaller animals harder to spot, but you can still see elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, buffaloes, and other large animals from a distance. Safaris are also very quiet at this time of year, with few other visitors, and prices are lower.

The first half of the month remains rainy, but precipitation decreases toward the end of May. Even so, the park still sees few visitors, making it a good time for a quiet, secluded getaway.

You can still find large animals throughout the park. Plenty of temporary waterholes remain, so animals don't yet need to move closer to the lakes.

June marks the beginning of the long dry season, the classic time for safari, so the number of tourist vehicles in the savanna starts to increase. The grass gradually dries out and becomes shorter, while visibility improves. In the northern part of the park, for example, lions and, with some luck, white rhinos are easy to spot on the open plains. Black rhinos, by contrast, are usually seen in denser vegetation and more often in the south.

Elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes tend to stay close to water sources. Hippos and crocodiles are also commonly found there.

This is the height of the dry season, with warm and sometimes hot days, cool nights, and excellent visibility. Animals are easy to find around the lakes, so in one or two days it may be possible to see almost all of the Big Five. The most elusive is the leopard. It is solitary and nocturnal, and estimates of its population in the park range from 15–20 to 80–100 individuals.

July is one of the busiest months of the year, not only for safaris in Akagera but also for mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in other parts of the country. If you are planning a trip for this period, book permits, lodges, and safari programs as early as possible.

Rwanda remains in the long dry season, and conditions are much the same as in July: the grass is dry and short, the weather is sunny and clear, and animals concentrate around water. If you would like to add something different to your trip, August is a good time for a hot-air balloon flight or a boat trip on Lake Ihema. From the water, you can easily see crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and other savanna animals coming to drink.

September is the last dry month before the rains return. Dry air and short grass make even smaller animals easy to spot from a distance. Finding them is also relatively straightforward, as savanna wildlife continues to concentrate around water sources.

The park is still busy with travelers in the first half of September, but visitor numbers gradually decline during the second half as the rainy season approaches.

Rwanda enters its short rainy season in October. The first downpours settle the dust, fill waterholes, and cover the savanna in fresh greenery. Animals spread throughout the park and can be encountered almost anywhere, while there are significantly fewer tourists on the tracks. This is one of the best periods for travelers looking to save money and enjoy a more secluded safari experience.

Weather conditions in November are much the same as in October: the park is green, visitor numbers are low, and prices are lower.

You can still see large animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and zebras from a distance, while smaller animals, including big cats and antelopes, can be harder to spot in the tall grass. Migratory birds also begin arriving in November. They breed in Europe and Asia and spend the winter in Africa.

The first half of December can still be rainy, but by mid-month the short dry season begins. This is one of the best times to enjoy both green scenery and more comfortable safari conditions.

Visitor numbers start to increase, with the peak falling around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Permits and lodges for this period are often booked six months or more in advance.