Is Rwanda in December Worth It? Gorillas, Short Rains and a Cheaper Permit

Rwanda in December is a good, often underrated time for a gorilla safari. The short rains ease through the month, Kigali averages about 101 mm of rain against 140 mm in November, and gorilla permits still qualify for Rwanda’s 30% low-season discount, which runs from November to May. Expect green hills, mud and showers, not washed-out days.

Most people weighing up Rwanda in December have two worries: will rain spoil the trek, and is the festive season too busy? This guide answers both with checked figures, from the weather and trail conditions to the permit discount, extra parks and what Christmas changes.

Photo: Divulge Adventures

What Is the Weather Like in Rwanda in December?

The weather in Rwanda in December is warm by day, cool at night and showery, with rain easing as the month progresses. Kigali’s long-term averages are 25°C highs, 13°C lows, 101 mm of rain and about five hours of sunshine a day, according to Weather2Travel’s climate data.

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Photo by Protais Benjamin MUGENZI on Unsplash

Rwanda sits just south of the equator, so temperatures barely change through the year and the seasons are defined by rain. The short rains build from around September, peak in November and taper off in December, before the short dry season of January and February. That makes December a transition month: the first week can feel like November, while the days before Christmas are often noticeably brighter.

“Days with some rain” sounds alarming, but in practice it usually means a shower or a short afternoon storm rather than a grey day of drizzle. Mornings are often clear, which suits gorilla treks that start at 07:00. Rain in Rwanda in December rarely lasts all day, so plan the main activity for the morning and keep afternoons flexible.

How cold is Volcanoes National Park in December?

Volcanoes National Park is much cooler than Kigali in December because of its altitude. Meteo Rwanda’s December outlooks for Musanze and Nyabihu, the districts around the park, put the coolest areas at roughly 16-18°C by day and 8-10°C at night, which it describes as normal for the time of year. Lodges at the foot of the volcanoes feel chilly after dark, and many light a fire in the evening.

Is December a Good Time for Gorilla Trekking?

Yes, December is a good month for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, as long as you expect mud. Trails are more slippery than in the June to September dry season, but gorillas are just as reliable to find and the permit can be 30% cheaper.

Photo: Divulge Adventures

Treks begin with a briefing at Kinigi park headquarters, about two and a half hours’ drive from Kigali, and groups of up to eight visitors are then assigned to a gorilla family. The time on foot depends on where the family moved overnight: some groups reach their gorillas in under an hour, others climb for three or four. Wet ground in Rwanda in December makes steep sections harder, so our guide on how hard gorilla trekking really is is worth reading before you pick dates.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda in December: trail conditions

Expect red mud on the farmland approach, slick bamboo stems higher up and nettles in the undergrowth. Waterproof boots with deep tread, gaiters and gardening gloves make a real difference. Hiring a porter, at a cost that goes straight to families living beside the park, is the single best way to make a wet trek easier, and lodges commonly suggest around US$25 per porter in cash.

Golden monkeys and other treks

Golden monkey trekking runs in the bamboo zone of the same park and is usually gentler than a gorilla trek. The permit is US$100 for foreign adults (checked October 2026) and the minimum age is 12, three years younger than for gorillas. Our golden monkey trekking guide covers what to expect on the day. It is a good second activity for Rwanda in December because it fills a morning and leaves the afternoon free if the weather turns.

How Much Is a Gorilla Permit for Rwanda in December?

A gorilla permit for Rwanda in December costs US$1,500 per foreign visitor, or US$1,050 with the 30% low-season discount (checked October 2026). December falls inside the discount window, which the Rwanda Development Board runs from November to May, so a December trip is one of the cheaper ways to see gorillas in Rwanda.

The catch is that the discount is tied to staying longer. According to the Rwanda Development Board’s low-season discount page, you qualify by spending two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe National Park with a hotel payment receipt and one paid activity, or one night in each park on consecutive nights with an activity. Each 3-day, 2-night stay unlocks one discounted permit per person, and the permit expires if you miss your trek date.

The US$450 saving rarely pays for the extra two nights on its own, so the discount suits travellers who would add a savannah or rainforest park to Rwanda in December anyway. Our full guide to the Rwanda gorilla permit explains booking, rescheduling and resident rates in more detail.

Estimated cost of a week in Rwanda in December

The table below gives rough per-person estimates for a 7-day trip sharing a private vehicle between two, including one discounted gorilla permit. Outside the festive week, Rwanda in December costs about the same as other low-season months. These are our estimates built from the permit prices above and typical published lodge rate bands, not package prices, and the festive week usually sits at the top of each range.

Akagera, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu in the Short Rains

Akagera, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu all work well for Rwanda in December, and two of them also unlock the gorilla permit discount. Akagera adds savannah game drives, Nyungwe adds chimpanzees and rainforest, and Lake Kivu adds an easy rest stop between treks.

Photo: Divulge Adventures

Akagera National Park

Akagera is Rwanda’s savannah park in the east, roughly two and a half to three hours by road from Kigali, and the only place in the country for lion, rhino, elephant, giraffe and zebra. For Rwanda in December, expect tall green grass that hides animals, but soft light and lakes full of hippos.

The park’s managers, African Parks, list a 2025 entry fee of US$100 per international visitor for one day or night, a scheduled boat trip from US$35 and a night drive at US$40; confirm current rates before you book. Our 2-day Akagera safari with a boat cruise and night game drive covers the two nights the gorilla discount asks for.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe is a high mountain rainforest in the south-west, usually a five to six hour drive from Kigali. Chimpanzee tracking starts before dawn and the canopy walkway looks over the treetops. Nyungwe is wet most of the year, so Rwanda in December changes little here beyond muddier trails. The 2-day Nyungwe chimpanzee trek and canopy walk is the simplest way to add it.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu sits on Rwanda’s western border, and lakeside towns such as Rubavu and Karongi make a calm stop after trekking, with kayaking and island boat trips. It does not count towards the gorilla discount, but it is a lovely place to spend Christmas Day.

A Seven-Day December Route That Uses the Discount

A seven-day route through Rwanda in December can include gorillas, golden monkeys, Akagera and Lake Kivu while qualifying for the cheaper permit. The order below puts the Akagera nights first, so the hotel receipt is in hand before the gorilla trek, and saves the trek for the drier second half of the month if you can.

Photo: Divulge Adventures

If you prefer chimpanzees to big game, swap Akagera for two nights in Nyungwe, which also qualifies. Travellers with more time can follow our 6-day Rwanda gorilla and Akagera wildlife safari or link Rwanda with Uganda on the East Africa Tourist Visa. Our Uganda safari in December guide covers the other side of the border.

Christmas, New Year and Practical Planning

Christmas and New Year are the busiest part of Rwanda in December, so book permits and lodges three to six months ahead for those dates. Early December is quieter and can feel peaceful even in Volcanoes National Park.

Umuganda and public holidays

Rwanda holds Umuganda, a national community work morning, on the last Saturday of most months, and traffic is restricted for a few hours, so avoid a long transfer that morning. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays, but parks and lodges stay open.

Visas and health

GOV.UK’s Rwanda entry requirements (checked October 2026) say Commonwealth citizens, including British travellers, can get a free 30-day visa on arrival, and passports must be valid for six months after arrival with a blank page. A yellow fever certificate is needed if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission, which includes Kenya and Uganda, so carry yours if you are combining countries. Other nationalities should confirm their rules before booking.

What to pack for Rwanda in December

For Rwanda in December, pack a proper waterproof jacket, waterproof boots, gaiters, gardening gloves, a warm fleece for evenings near the volcanoes and quick-dry trousers. A dry bag for your camera and a small daypack with a rain cover are worth the space. Our complete guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda has a fuller kit list.

Who Should Skip Rwanda in December?

Rwanda in December is not the best choice for travellers who hate mud, have knee or balance problems on slippery ground, or want classic open-savannah game viewing. For them, the June to September dry season or a Kenya or Tanzania safari is a better fit.

If your main goal is the gorillas themselves, Rwanda in December delivers the same hour with a family as July, for less money and with fewer people at the lodge. See all our Rwanda gorilla trek safaris for longer routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is December a good time to visit Rwanda?

December is a good time to visit Rwanda if you want gorillas at a lower price. The short rains ease through the month, temperatures stay mild, and gorilla permits qualify for the 30% low-season discount when you add two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. Expect showers and muddy trails, especially in the first half of the month.

How much rain does Rwanda get in December?

Rwanda gets about 101 mm of rain in December in Kigali, on roughly 20 days with some rain, based on long-term averages. That is less than November’s 140 mm but more than January’s 75 mm. Rain usually comes as showers or afternoon storms rather than all-day downpours, and the volcano slopes stay misty and damp.

Is the gorilla permit cheaper in December?

The gorilla permit can be cheaper in December because the Rwanda Development Board’s 30% low-season discount runs from November to May. The standard US$1,500 permit drops to US$1,050 if you also stay two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe with a paid activity, or one night in each park (checked October 2026).

Is Rwanda busy over Christmas?

Rwanda is busiest over Christmas and New Year, roughly 20 December to 2 January, when lodges near Volcanoes National Park fill first. Gorilla permits are limited to eight visitors per family each day, so book three to six months ahead for festive dates. Early December is noticeably quieter and easier to secure.

What should I wear for gorilla trekking in December?

For gorilla trekking in December, wear waterproof hiking boots, gaiters, long quick-dry trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and a breathable rain jacket. Add gardening gloves for gripping nettles and bamboo, a warm layer for the cool start, and a daypack with a rain cover for water, snacks and your camera.

Final Thoughts

Rwanda in December trades some rain and mud for greener forests, quiet weeks outside the holidays and a gorilla permit that can cost US$450 less. Add Akagera or Nyungwe, book festive dates early, and it becomes one of the smartest months to go. Tell us your dates and we will check permits and shape the route around them.