Rwanda’s Climate
Rwanda has a pleasant tropical highland climate due to its altitude and rolling hills. Temperatures vary with elevation. In Kigali, average temperature is around 21°C (70°F). Long rains: Feb–May; short rains: Nov–Dec.
Location of Rwanda
- Rwanda is a landlocked country in east-central Africa covering an area of 26,338 sq. km (10,170 sq mi). In comparison, Rwanda is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland in USA. Rwanda borders Uganda in the north, Tanzania in the east, Burundi in the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west & north-west.
Rwanda National Parks
Rwanda protects its wildlife in four national parks: Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Gishwati–Mukura National Park.
These parks are home to elephants, giraffes, bush bucks, hippopotamuses, buffalo, lions, zebras, leopards, monkeys, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and chimpanzees, as well as jackals, hyena, antelope, crocodiles and more. Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes are especially known for Albertine Rift endemics.
Rwanda lies on the East African plateau between the Nile and Congo water systems. To the west, the land drops sharply to Lake Kivu in the Great Rift Valley; to the east it falls gradually across central plateaus to swamps and lakes. The Virunga Mountains rise in the northwest; Mt. Karisimbi peaks at 4,519 m. Lake Kivu (1,460 m) drains toward Lake Tanganyika through the Ruzizi River. The Kagera River flows into Lake Victoria.
Akagera National Park
Classic savannah, big game, lakes and wetlands in eastern Rwanda.
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Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimp trekking, canopy walk, and rich primate & birdlife.
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Volcanoes National Park
Home of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas.
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Gishwati–Mukura National Park
Forested landscapes, primates and nature escapes in western Rwanda.
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Distances from Kigali to Major Cities & Attractions
- Nyungwe Forest National Park: ~225 km, about 5 hours (winding roads, truck traffic).
- Volcanoes National Park: ~80 km, about 2 hours (winding road, many corners).
- Akagera National Park: ~120 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes (eastern Rwanda, flatter terrain).
- Butare (Huye): ~142 km, about 3 hours (stopover for museums/university, on the way to Nyungwe).
- Butare to Cyangugu: ~155 km, about 3 hours (southern Lake Kivu shore).
- Ruhengeri (Musanze) to Gisenyi: ~62 km, about 1 hour (more straight, typically less traffic).
- Kigali to Kibuye: ~130 km, about 3 hours (mid Lake Kivu shore; popular weekend escape).
Ihunde Safaris will arrange your Rwanda vacation to match your interests: gorilla trekking, bird watching, culture and community, mammals, nature & photography, mountain hiking or forest hikes.
Facts About Rwanda
People, Culture & Language
Official languages are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Kinyarwanda is widely spoken across the country. Rwanda’s history includes agriculturalists, pastoral communities and forest hunter-gatherers (Batwa). Many people live in rural areas and engage in agriculture.
Safety & Security
Rwanda generally has a low level of crime, but normal precautions are advised. Kigali is served by Kigali International Airport (Kanombe) and is often known for cleanliness and relatively smooth traffic compared to many large cities.