Climate Insights for Kigali

The climate in Kigali is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 21°C and approximately 1008mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 177mm of rainfall. Kigali sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.

Kigali sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 15°C to 27°C. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 22°C. November is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 15°C and an average of 20°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs.

Kigali is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1008mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 84mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 177mm of rainfall. November and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 3mm. That's 174mm less than April, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Kigali is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 10km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 11km/h in winter, 10km/h in spring, 9km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.

It is currently autumn in Kigali, which began on March 20, 2026. Kigali sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in August at around 27°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in November near 15°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Kigali is during January, February, May, June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 48mm per month. By contrast, November can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 15°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kigali based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.