Things to Do in Kigali in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Kigali
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Short dry season means consistently pleasant weather - December sits right in the middle of Rwanda's short dry season, giving you reliable sunshine for gorilla trekking and outdoor activities. Those 10 rainy days typically mean brief afternoon showers rather than all-day washouts, and mornings are usually crystal clear.
- Optimal gorilla trekking conditions - The trails in Volcanoes National Park are at their most manageable in December. Less mud than the rainy months means easier hiking through the bamboo forests, and the cooler morning temperatures around 16°C (61°F) make the steep climbs more comfortable. Visibility tends to be better too.
- Post-harvest cultural experiences - December follows the main harvest season, so you'll find local markets absolutely bursting with fresh produce. The agricultural calendar means rural communities are more relaxed and welcoming to visitors, and you'll catch authentic celebrations rather than tourist-focused events.
- Lower tourist numbers than June-September - While December is technically high season, it's noticeably quieter than the mid-year peak. You'll still need to book gorilla permits well ahead, but restaurants and city attractions feel more manageable. Hotel rates haven't hit their absolute peak yet either.
Considerations
- Gorilla permits sell out 4-6 months ahead - December's popularity for primate trekking means the 96 daily permits for Volcanoes National Park typically book solid by August or September. If you're reading this close to your travel dates, you might be out of luck unless you're flexible on dates or willing to try Bwindi in Uganda instead.
- Variable afternoon weather disrupts planning - Those 10 rainy days don't follow a predictable pattern. You might get three sunny days in a row, then two days of afternoon downpours. It makes scheduling outdoor activities a bit of a gamble, especially if you're on a tight itinerary. Morning activities are your safest bet.
- Holiday pricing kicks in late month - From around December 20th onward, accommodation rates jump significantly as expats return home for holidays and international visitors arrive. The last week of December can cost 30-40% more than early December, and minimum stay requirements appear at popular lodges.
Best Activities in December
Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking
December offers some of the year's best conditions for tracking mountain gorillas. The short dry season means trails are less muddy than March-May or October-November, making the steep climbs through bamboo forests more manageable. Morning temperatures around 16°C (61°F) are cool enough for strenuous hiking without being uncomfortably cold at 2,400-3,000 m (7,874-9,843 ft) elevation. The 70% humidity is actually lower than wet season levels, and morning mist usually clears by 9am, improving photography conditions. You'll spend 3-5 hours hiking depending on where the gorilla families are that day, plus your precious hour with them.
Kigali City Walking and Cycling Tours
December's warm but not scorching temperatures make exploring Kigali on foot or bike genuinely pleasant. The city sits at 1,567 m (5,141 ft), so despite 26°C (80°F) highs, it never feels oppressively hot like lower-elevation cities. Plan walking tours for early morning (7-10am) or late afternoon (4-6pm) to avoid the midday sun - that UV index of 8 is no joke. The city's famously clean streets and well-maintained roads make cycling surprisingly enjoyable, and December's relatively dry conditions mean you won't be dodging puddles. Focus on neighborhoods like Nyamirambo for local markets, Kiyovu for colonial architecture, and the Genocide Memorial (though that's better visited independently for the emotional weight it carries).
Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walks and Primate Tracking
Nyungwe Forest in December offers a different experience than Volcanoes - it's wetter, mistier, and more atmospheric. The forest receives more rain than the northern parks even in dry season, but those morning hours before 11am are usually clear enough for the spectacular canopy walk, suspended 50 m (164 ft) above the forest floor. The 160 m (525 ft) walkway gives you eye-level views of the forest crown that you simply can't get elsewhere in Rwanda. Chimpanzee tracking is trickier than gorillas - success rates hover around 60-70% because chimps move faster and farther - but colobus monkey sightings are virtually guaranteed. The 4-6 hour treks through this montane rainforest are cooler and more humid than Volcanoes, so expect to get damp from vegetation even without rain.
Lake Kivu Beach Towns and Water Activities
Lake Kivu in December provides a perfect counterpoint to mountain trekking - warm, relatively dry, and genuinely relaxing. Towns like Gisenyi (Rubavu) and Kibuye (Karongi) offer swimming in bilharzia-free waters, kayaking along the shoreline, and boat trips to nearby islands. December's conditions are ideal: the lake is calm most mornings, temperatures hit a comfortable 24-26°C (75-79°F), and afternoon showers are brief enough that you can plan around them. The lake sits at 1,460 m (4,790 ft) elevation, so despite being on the equator, it never feels oppressively hot. Budget 2-3 days here if you're doing gorilla trekking - your legs will thank you after those mountain climbs.
Akagera National Park Safari Drives
December sits right in Akagera's dry season, making it excellent for wildlife viewing. The savannah vegetation is shorter after months without heavy rain, and animals congregate around permanent water sources, making them easier to spot. Morning game drives (6-9am) offer the best wildlife activity and perfect temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F). By midday it warms to 28-30°C (82-86°F) in the lowland savannah - noticeably hotter than Kigali's highlands. The park's big five status (lions were reintroduced in 2015, rhinos in 2017) makes it Rwanda's premier safari destination, though wildlife densities are lower than Kenya or Tanzania. Budget a full day or ideally overnight - the 110 km (68 miles) from Kigali takes 2.5 hours, and you'll want 4-6 hours for game drives.
Kigali Food Market Tours and Cooking Experiences
December's post-harvest timing means Kigali's markets overflow with produce you won't see in other months. Kimironko Market, the city's largest, becomes a sensory explosion of fresh avocados, passion fruit, tree tomatoes, and countless vegetables most international visitors can't even name. The warm December weather means tropical fruits are at their peak. Cooking class experiences typically start with market tours (7-9am while it's still cool and bustling), then move to kitchens for hands-on preparation of dishes like isombe (cassava leaves with eggplant), mizuzu (fried plantains), or brochettes (grilled meat skewers). These experiences give you insight into Rwandan food culture that restaurant dining simply can't match.
December Events & Festivals
Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony
Actually, Kwita Izina happens in September, not December - worth noting because it's Rwanda's biggest tourism event and you'll miss it if you're visiting in December. December doesn't have major national festivals or events that would significantly impact your visit. What you will find is a quieter, more authentic experience without event-driven crowds.