What to expect on safari during rainy season in Rwanda

What to expect on Rwanda safari during the rainy season is generally showers almost the entire day. The rain season in Rwanda is normally March, April, May and November. The nature of the soil in Rwanda is generally volcanic soils that may get extremely muddy especially during the intense rainy season when less sunlight is received in the country. It is best to use a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle on safari in Rwanda.

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Most of the Rwanda safaris are open all year even gorillas trekking that happens in a highly mountainous area that is Volcanoes National Park. This parks is composed of five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Gahinga and Mountain Karisimbi. During the rainy season, the mountain gorillas may spend time on the slopes of these mountains or deep in the valleys and so you have to find them.

Expect the trek to find the mountain gorillas to be quite steep and strenuous in the rainy season as you hike the slopes to find these primates. During the rainy seasons, the ground gets slippery from the rain that regularly falls, logs, creates a boggy and soggy environment from matter that decomposes. Having safari boots is very helpful to prevent you from the rough surfaces in the wilderness.

Even though there is less demand for gorilla trekking safaris in the rainy season which serves as the low tourism season un the country, expect to find other tourists on ground. Rwanda is open for tourism all year and there is no season when you donot expect to find the mountain gorillas

Even during the game drives in Akagera National Park in Rwanda, expect to see some animals in the rainy season although majority seek shelter in deeper spots of the park rather than in the open plains. The tracks in Akagera National Park are normally muddy and slippery in the rain season so use a vehicle that is terrain resistant and a 4x4 wheel drive.

What to Expect in Rwanda safari Destinations During the Rainy seasons

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is the only home to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda but the nature of the topography of this park is why gorilla trekking in this park is considered steeper than any other destination of Uganda or D.R.Congo. At the moment, about 12 gorilla trekking families are open to the public in Volcanoes National Park but during the wet season, some tend to take time away from the ground.

In case the gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park is positioned at a more elevated point, tourists have to follow them but the way gets quite challenging. It is best to bear some level of fitness and patience if you are to complete the entire adventure. Expect the mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers to also spent time in the tree canopies during the wet season.

Expect rain to fall in Volcanoes National Park any time without warning during the wet season and this may take an entire day. Expect the mountain gorillas to retreat into the deeper ends of the Park to seek shelter during the wet season.

The Volcanoes forest is more dense and darker during the rainy seasons since there is less sunray penetration through the leaves to the ground. Carry a camera that can capture great photos in such conditions without producing a flashlight and sound as these scares the mountain gorillas.

There are normally less or no other tourists to trek the mountain gorillas with in Volcanoes National Park during the wet season so you may have the park to yourself and those travelling with. Even other forest dwellers like monkeys, birds, butterflies tend to spend most of the time away from where they may easily be seen.

For golden monkey trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park, the monkeys tend to spend most of the time up in the trees since there is now plenty available for them to feast on during this season.

Note that no matter the season when you plan to do the gorilla or golden monkey trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park, be sure to see them.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park has its headquarters in Uwinka where most of its safari activities commence. Tourists follow the trails within the forest including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others. During the wet season that is normally March to May and November, the vegetation of Nyungwe National Park is thicker with less sunray penetrating through to the ground.

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Nyungwe National Park with so far two chimpanzees communities open to the public. One of the chimpanzee communities is in Nyungwe forest and another in Cyamudondo. During the wet season, expect the chimpanzees to spend most of the time up in the trees because they fear the wet ground. They have water phobia but carry a pair of binoculars to catch a better view of them.

Even other forest dwellers includes other primates such as blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, a number of birds with so far over 336 bird species recorded as residents of the park, tend to stay away from spots where you can easily spot them.

Nyungwe forest has a dense network of rivers and it regarded as the water catchment area of its surrounding communities, but during the wet season most of the streams and rivers tend to flood. This keeps the forest wet and with slippery trail so you need to wear the right safari boots. Expect the rain to fall for almost an entire day during the rainy season in Nyungwe National Park.

For birding experience in Nyungwe National Park where more than 336 bird species have been recorded, the begging of the wet season may be great timing to do Rwanda birding safari in this park before the rains intensify. The birds are also busy constructing nests where they can have shelter as the rain intensifies.

If destined for the canopy walk over Nyungwe National Park during the wet season, expect the suspension bridge to be wet but you need to carefully talk and in case the ranger guide recommends that you wait for the rain to stop it is best to go by his or her advise. The canopy walk over Nyungwe forest is one of its kind in east Africa where tourists move on a 160 meters long suspension bridge and 70 meters high. While at the bridge, you get a better view of the surrounding area including the lush green cover.

Akagera National Park in Rwanda

Expect to see fewer wild animals in Akagera National Park during the wet season. Akagera National Park is a tropical rain forest situated in the North Eastern Part of Rwanda. This is the only home of game drives in Rwanda and according to history the park was initially a game rich destinations. Due to civil unrest and human encroachment in Akagera National Park, it lost a number of its inhabitants. The last nail in the existence of this park was hit during and after the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

The African parks in collaboration with Rwanda Development Board are slowly embarking on reclaiming the glory of Akagera National Park and a number of wild animals are confirmed as residents in this park. Some of the Residents animals of Akagera National Park include lions, hyenas, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, zebras, Rhinos, leopards, giraffes and others. The population of these animals is slowly picking up and indeed Akagera National Park is worth adding to the destinations to visit in Rwanda.

During the game drives in Akagera National Park, expect the track to be slippery and muddy because of the volcanic soils. The grass in the park is taller in the wet season so it may be challenging to see some small animals. Chances of seeing infants are more possible in the wet season when they have somewhere to hide from predators and plenty of food to eat.

A boat ride on Lake Ihema is always the blast in the entire safari experiences in Akagera National Park as so many animals find there way to the banks where they can quench thirst. A number of birds flock the shoreline of Lake Ihema in this season to enjoy the freebies that float to the shores. The environment in the park is vibrant with lush green cover that is stunning to watch from the comfort of the boat.

Cultural Tours in Rwanda

Rwandese is one of the proud people in Africa who show off their culture without fearing what the viewer have to say. Indeed a cultural experience in Rwanda is worth partaking. The Rwandese showcase their culture through dance like the famous Intore dance, music, pottery, basketry, sculpturing, local cuisines and others.

During the wet season, some of these cultural performances are done from indoors in fear of bas weather. The Intore dance is accompanied by rhythmic loud drums called lulunga and a harp like instrument, dancing crew composed of women and men dressed in traditional attires. It is magical and engaging watching these people dance.

In case you get the chance to view the dancers of Intore dance in Rwanda, they may be in an enclosed room. Paying a visit to the communities where the local in Rwanda spend most of their day time during the wet season may be quite challenging as many remain in door. Expect the roads especially in the countryside while on a community visit to remain muddy and slippery.

Birding in Rwanda

At the start of the wet season in Rwanda, birding would be a good idea as a number of birds freely move in the forests and other destinations in Rwanda. Rwanda is estimated to have more than 700 bird species including Albertine rift endemics. Even though the wilderness may be wet as the wet season starts, chances of identifying a number of birds are high. There is less disturbance too from other tourists who may be on ground for other activities. The rain season is normally the low tourism season in Rwanda.

Some of the  possible birds to see in Rwanda include Dusky’s Tutle Dove, Alpine Chat, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush, Malachite sunbird, Montane nightjar, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and others.

Some of the Rwanda birding destinations include Nyungwe forest, Volcanoes Forest, Akagera National Park and others.

What to Pack For Rwanda safaris in the wet season

• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far ranging objects, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and others.
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sunrays even though it is a wet season, the sun may get hot some times
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves. When exploring the forest, the dew from the trees and large leaves may fall on you.
• A fleece or sweater because it gets cold during the morning and late evenings.
• Travel An adapter and charger in case you need then for your electronic equipment
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out as most accommodations in the safari destinations use solar energy for lighting. Sometimes the sun doesn’t sun bright enough so there is no power. You can use a torch.
• Rain coat in case it rains during chimpanzee trekking or gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda because the areas where these primates live are rain forests
• Comfortable shoes to use for trekking in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness. 
• Sun glasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water of the leaves and buzzing insects
• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the chimpanzee trekking experience and other activities you combine with.

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