What to expect on a Rwanda safari during dry season

What to expect on Rwanda safari in the dry season if you choose to do the Rwanda primates tours is that most of the gorilla, chimpanzees, golden monkeys spend most of their time closer to the ground. In Rwanda the dry season is expected from June to September and December to February. 

Most Popular Safaris

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

4 Day Rwanda gorilla trekking & wildlife viewing safari

5 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari

4 day gorilla trekking & Dian Fossey tomb visit

4 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

14 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

3 Day Akagera National Park Safari

3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali

The foremost safari activities in Rwanda happen in the wilderness where walking in the Jungle is expected. In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking on the top list of safaris activities to do in the country however, the destinations where they happen are always moist.

Rwanda is generously a hilly country and from the nature of its topography the country acquired the name land of a thousand hills. Even most of the Rwanda safari destinations are situated in rugged areas so the dry season presents better chance to get there without fear of the way getting blocked by boulders from up in the ridges or plateaus.

What To Expect On Safari In Rwanda During The Dry Season.

Safari in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking is the main activities in Volcanoes National Park but during the dry season, more people book this Rwanda safari. At the moment Rwanda has about 12 gorilla families open to the public including Amahoro, Hirwa, Susa, Umubano.

Volcanoes National Park also have five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that form its topography that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbi. These are some of the reasons when gorilla trekking in Rwanda is regarded steeper than her counter parts Uganda and D.R.Congo.

Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands or deep in the sun hungry valleys in Volcanoes National Park so tourist are expected to follow them. This makes gorilla trekking in Rwanda quite strenuous.

Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park is best enjoyed un the dry season but get ready to stay on your toes as these monkeys show off there best tactics. They keep hoping from one tree to another searching for food and other playing. Even though the golden monkeys are habituated to human presence, they never give up there traits.

Hiking to the Dian Fossey grave in the dry season is more exciting because there is generally less undergrowth that protrudes over to obstruct your way. Walking in the steps of this great primatologist whose efforts are credited for the current existence of the mountain gorillas is worth every time.

The rich birdlife of Volcanoes National Park is best seen in the dry season. Volcanoes National Park has over 200 birds species including Albertine rift endemics. In the dry season, most of the birds tend to show up in the forest searching for a day’s meal while other construct nests. There is too much activity to enjoy in Volcanoes forest in the dry season.

Even though Volcanoes National Park has a dense network of rivers and streams, in the dry season they flow in the normal course. This keeps the ground drier and there is less matter that decomposes when it falls on the ground so the way is not soggy or slippery.

Nyungwe National Park

Located in the south east of Lake Kivu is Nyungwe National Park a dense tropical rain forest. Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Nyungwe National Park but the park hosts other primates too. So far two chimpanzee communities have been opened to the public in Nyungwe National park with one in the park and another in Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the Park. The dry season is one of the best times to enjoy most activities in the park that is normally June to September and December to February.

During chimpanzee trekking expect to follow the trails constructed by regular tourists but on the way, you may find other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys and others. A number of features are dotted at different points of Nyungwe forest including the Usamo falls that sparkle you may have accesses to these falls when using the Usamo trail. Note that the walk in Nyungwe forest is quite strenuous because of the rugged terrain.

If you decide to embark on a canopy walk in Nyungwe forest, get ready to view the forest from a more elevated point. The Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest is one of the iconic safaris adventures in Rwanda with so far just it in East Africa. The canopy walk in Nyungwe forest is on a suspension bridge which is about 160 meters long and 70 meters high.

From the bridge, you get to enjoy the stunning view of the forest, the features that overlook it and much more that would be hard to see from the ground. You may use the chance to have some life changing  moments while on the bridge.

For ornithologists on a Rwanda safari, note that Nyungwe forest is the Rwanda birdinghaven with more than 336 birds recorded as residents. The ever burgeoning list of birds of Nyungwe forest is attributed to the vast forest that offers comfortable home for them to thrive, sufficient food supply in the forest and others. The forest also hosts some Albertine endemics but some of the birds of Nyungwe forest include shelley’s crimsonwing, Dusky’s Crimsonwing , Handsome Francolin, Rwenzoru Turaco and other. In the dry season, tourists may get the chance to spot a number of these birds with the help of a professional birding guide.

Akagera National Park

Games drives on Rwanda safari can only happen in Akagera National Park. During the dry season, expect to see more wild animal and birds in the park, as there is clear visibility in the plains around the park.  Akagera National Park is slowly recovering from human interference and other factors that led to the disappearance of most of the wild animals that the park used to host.

African Parks together with Rwanda Development Board are slowly rejuvenating the park as more animals are being reintroduced into the park work that is steadily progressing. During the game drive in Akagera National Park expect to see zebras, impalas, herds of elephants, waterbucks, rhinos, giraffes and others.

During the game drive in Akagera National Park, expect animals to be calm because there are still fewer sighting of predators in the park. The tracks in the park are dusty because the ground bears volcanic soils that are easily lifted by the car tyres. Do not expect many visitor in the park even in the dry season because the Park popularity is still low but growing per year according to statics from Rwanda Development Board.

The lakes around the park are amazing including Lake Ihema where boat trips in the park can be enjoyed. During the relaxing boat ride, you may get the chance to see a number of animals that make there way to the shoreline to quench thirst and enjoy a bath. Multitudes of birds spends time by the shores of the different lakes dotted in Akagera National Park

Cultural Experience During Rwanda safari

Rwanda has a rich culture worth adding to the list of what to do while on Rwanda safari. The Rwandese are good artists with great sculpturing skills, can draw beautiful design of especially black and white patterns, pottery, basketry and much more. The Nyakarimbi is the prime crafts area of Rwanda.

When on a visit to Nyakarimbi, you may find the Imigongo, which is the cow dung paint that the Rwandese use. This you can use first hand while in this place.

On a visit to the Ethnological Museum in Rwanda, expect to see some items that were used by the people of Rwanda in there daily life in the past. While at the museum, you may get the chance to witness the Intore dance performance. During the Intore dance performance, rhythmic drums and folk songs accompany the dancers but there dance moves are contagious so you may find yourself joining them.

The Rwanda Ancient History Museum in Nyanza is very significant in the history of the people of Rwanda as it one of the remnants of the Rwanda kingdom. During the time of king Yuhi V Musinga in 1899, Nyanza was turned in to royal capital of Rwanda. As you explore the museum, you find the Inyambo which were the royal cows with long horns. Expect to see the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa that was built in 1932.

When you proceed to the Mwima hill, expect to see the royal tombs of fallen King Mutara III and his Queen Rosalie

Kigali City Tour

Kigali city is where the heart of Rwanda beats and during a safari visit in Rwanda, you may decide to explore this city. Visit the business centers, craft shops, have time at the Rwanda genocide memorial where remains of the horrific 1994 100 days of terror are preserved, taste the aromatic Rwandese coffee grown in Rwanda and brewed in the country too. You may try a taste of the Rwandese cuisines.

Community Tour In Rwanda

While on safari in Rwanda during the dry season, you may visit the local communities to learn more about their daily life. Expect to find most of the locals of Rwanda in there gardens as they are substance farmers. You may get the chance to have a one on one interaction with their local leaders who may explain in details about their people.

While in the community, you may get the chance to interact with some of the survivors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide who may try to explain about what transpired in case you are interested in having a glimpse into this tragic time.

Why Visit Rwanda for a safari in the dry season

The dry season in Rwanda is the busiest tourism season that is normally June to September and December to February. More visitors are received in the country and the activities in the National Park are more engaging in this season. Those expecting to do gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking or golden monkey trekking in Rwanda which happen in ever moist destinations may get the chance to traverse the forest with less moisture in this period.

Most of primates in Rwanda spend more time closer the ground in the dry season so finding them may be quicker in this season.

During the dry season, in Akagera National Park, the animals that live in the plain land of this park may be quicker to spot since the grass is lower allowing better visibility.

What to Pack For Rwanda Safari in The Dry Season

• Binoculars to get a clearer view of the far ranging attractions in the park. Sometimes the wild animals are far from reach and you need to get a clearer view of them.
• Sunscreen to smear on your body in case stinging insects attack you during the game drives or Boat ride. This is to protect yourself from getting sun burns while in the wilderness.
• A torch to use for lighting when the lights go out especially in the night. Most accommodations in  Rwanda National Park use solar power.
• Pack wilderness friend wear but try to avoid bright colors as these may be misunderstood by animals and insects and they attack you
• A camera to photos and keep as memories of your  safari in Rwanda. Taking the photos of the game safari keeps the memories of your experience on Rwanda safari fresh.
•  Some hard cash to change into local currency in case you wish to do any local transaction. Credit cards are not commonly used in Rwanda because of there lengthy procedures.
• Carry an extra fully charged battery for the camera or your phone to exchange with when one runs low.
• Insect repellant as the wilderness is habitat to a number of insects that may be stingers.
• Pack First Aid kit just in case of an injury while in the wilderness and if you have any personal illness. Do not forget some of health documents from your doctor.
• Toiletries just in case the lodge doesn’t provide pack the ones that are friendly to your skin.
• Energy snacks to bite while on game drives and other activities in the pack.

For more information, please get intouch with us.