The best times to visit Gisenyi for ideal weather are
May 14th to October 14th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Gisenyi Travel Guide
Other Gisenyi Travel Info
Weather in Gisenyi
Temperature
Average temperatures in Gisenyi vary barely at all. Considering humidity, temperatures feel very enjoyable all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 81st percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Gisenyi, the hottest months are August, January, and then February. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late May to early June where highs are regularly around 80.1°F (26.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 64.4°F (18°C) at night.
Gisenyi Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Gisenyi Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Gisenyi Perceived Temperature (F)
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Gisenyi Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Gisenyi Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78.4 | 72.6 | 62.6 |
| Feb | 78.8 | 72.5 | 62.4 |
| Mar | 77.4 | 71.6 | 62.4 |
| Apr | 77.5 | 71.6 | 62.7 |
| May | 77.6 | 72.5 | 63.9 |
| Jun | 76.7 | 71.5 | 62.9 |
| Jul | 77.6 | 71.8 | 60.9 |
| Aug | 78.5 | 72.8 | 63.1 |
| Sep | 76.7 | 71.4 | 63.6 |
| Oct | 77.5 | 72.3 | 64.2 |
| Nov | 76.7 | 71.5 | 63.1 |
| Dec | 77 | 71 | 62.1 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.8 | 22.6 | 17 |
| Feb | 26 | 22.5 | 16.9 |
| Mar | 25.2 | 22 | 16.9 |
| Apr | 25.3 | 22 | 17.1 |
| May | 25.3 | 22.5 | 17.7 |
| Jun | 24.8 | 21.9 | 17.2 |
| Jul | 25.3 | 22.1 | 16.1 |
| Aug | 25.8 | 22.7 | 17.3 |
| Sep | 24.8 | 21.9 | 17.6 |
| Oct | 25.3 | 22.4 | 17.9 |
| Nov | 24.8 | 21.9 | 17.3 |
| Dec | 25 | 21.7 | 16.7 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Gisenyi are July, June, and then August. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early to mid July. For example, on the week of July 9th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early March with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of March 5th.
When can you find snow in Gisenyi? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Gisenyi.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Gisenyi (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18% | 0 | 2.6 |
| Feb | 20% | 0 | 4.9 |
| Mar | 38% | 0 | 5.5 |
| Apr | 25% | 0 | 3.5 |
| May | 13% | 0 | 2.3 |
| Jun | 9% | 0 | 1.5 |
| Jul | 4% | 0 | 0.8 |
| Aug | 13% | 0 | 2.2 |
| Sep | 20% | 0 | 3.7 |
| Oct | 19% | 0 | 3.7 |
| Nov | 25% | 0 | 4.5 |
| Dec | 29% | 0 | 4.2 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Feb | 20 | 0 | 12.4 |
| Mar | 38 | 0 | 14 |
| Apr | 25 | 0 | 8.9 |
| May | 13 | 0 | 5.8 |
| Jun | 9 | 0 | 3.8 |
| Jul | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Aug | 13 | 0 | 5.6 |
| Sep | 20 | 0 | 9.4 |
| Oct | 19 | 0 | 9.4 |
| Nov | 25 | 0 | 11.4 |
| Dec | 29 | 0 | 10.7 |
Humidity and Wind
Gisenyi has some slightly muggy months, with moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is August (48.7% relative humidity), and the most humid month is April (65.8%).
Wind in Gisenyi is usually calm. The windiest month is May, followed by August and July. May’s average wind speed of around 5.2 knots (5.9 MPH or 9.6 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late May to early June where average top sustained speeds reach 10.9 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Gisenyi.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 4.2 | Light breeze | 8.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 4.4 | Light breeze | 8.7 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 4.3 | Light breeze | 9.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 4.3 | Light breeze | 8.6 | Gentle breeze |
| May | 5.2 | Light breeze | 9.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 4.7 | Light breeze | 8.7 | Gentle breeze |
| Jul | 4.8 | Light breeze | 8.7 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 5 | Light breeze | 9.5 | Gentle breeze |
| Sep | 4.6 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 4.7 | Light breeze | 9.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Nov | 4.2 | Light breeze | 8.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 3.9 | Barely noticeable | 7.5 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 59.7% |
| Feb | 60.3% |
| Mar | 64% |
| Apr | 65.8% |
| May | 61.2% |
| Jun | 57.4% |
| Jul | 49.6% |
| Aug | 48.7% |
| Sep | 59% |
| Oct | 59.6% |
| Nov | 63.3% |
| Dec | 63% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Gisenyi?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe, but with extra warnings in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for Rwanda; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Oct 26, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Gisenyi, Rwanda is March, followed by July and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Gisenyi in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Gisenyi Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 79.4°F (26.3°C) and 75.8°F (24.3°C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 4 to 12 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 4 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Gisenyi, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 77.7°F (25.4°C) and 75.7°F (24.3°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 6 to 7 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Gisenyi to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 80.1°F (26.7°C) and 76.5°F (24.7°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 9 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Rwanda › Gisenyi, Rwanda