BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE KIVU DURING YOUR RWANDA SAFARI

Recommended Safari Season Guide For Best Time To Go To Lake Kivu

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Even though Rwanda sits just two degrees below the equator in the heart of Africa, it is blessed with a temperate climate thanks to its higher altitude. If you intend to vacation in Lake Kivu, which is on the country's western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, you can safely choose the dry seasons as the best time to visit. The daytime high temperatures average around 27C (81F) degrees in the warmest months of August through October, while nighttime lows rest at about 15-16C (59-61F) degrees. June and July are the driest months and therefore the best seasonal months for relaxing at Lake Kivu, with maximum and minimum temperatures just a bit cooler than that. Choosing the right time to travel is important, and your holiday consultant at AfricanMecca Safaris will give you helpful guidance based on your travel preferences.

Lake Kivu experiences two wet seasons and two dry seasons, much like the climate in the rest of eastern, southern, and central Africa. The dry seasons are from June until August and from mid-December through to mid-February, though you can expect some showers in the latter part of the season. Traveling in the dry months is great for enjoying sunbathing or swimming in the lake. Birders can go exploring to catch sight of many of the 60 avian species that abound here. The long rains in this region occur from March to May, and especially in April. The short rains fall from September to November and into the beginning of December, bringing a burst of new vegetation that can be breathtakingly beautiful. Since the wet seasons are the low tourism months, you might be able to get room discounts in the various accommodations during that time. While it may be called the wet season, those visiting during this time should expect that it will not rain continuously throughout the day; typically, heavy showers are interspersed with bright sunshine.

Lake Kivu sees an influx of local guests during the long dry season. This season coincides with summer vacation in North America and Europe, and families like to spend time touring Rwanda’s parks and reserves on wildlife spotting expeditions—especially partaking in gorilla safaris at Volcanoes National Park. The tranquil waterside locale of Lake Kivu is an ideal place for rest and relaxation post-gorilla adventure. The short dry season, of course, coincides with the winter months up in the northern hemisphere, and spending time in the warmer climate of Rwanda and Eastern Africa is an excellent choice for like-minded vacationers. The latter two weeks of December are also the time of festive holidays, and many locals like to spend them with friends and family in Rwanda.

If you hope to experience fun water activities during your vacation at Lake Kivu, it is best to plan your trip during the long dry season. With a lower possibility of rain, you will be able to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and long walks on the tan, sandy beaches. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of some of the beautiful birds residing around the lake. There are always fewer insects in the dry seasons than during the rains, so you are less likely to be bothered by annoying bugs, including mosquitoes. The risk of contracting malaria is, of course, lower during the dry season; though, precaution should always be taken.