The Best Time to Visit Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Kivu 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.

Weather in Kivu

Temperature

Average temperatures in Kivu 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 Kivu, 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.

“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.

Average Kivu 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.

Precipitation (Rain or Snow)

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Kivu 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 Kivu? 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.

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Humidity and Wind

Kivu 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 Kivu 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.

Average Wind Speeds

Is it Safe to Travel to Kivu?

Our best data indicates this area is somewhat unsafe, especially in some areas. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are strong travel warnings and regional advisories for the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa); avoid non-essential travel and all travel to some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 28, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Kivu in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Overall Kivu 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 Kivu, 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 Kivu 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› the Democratic Republic of the Congo › Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo