Rwanda
Discover Rwanda
Rwanda is a relatively stable East African country, and easily accessible from Kenya and Uganda. It is known as the land of a thousand hills, but is also a country rich in flora and fauna and stunning natural beauty in its scenic rolling and breathtaking green savannah. The country hosts some rare species of animals like the silverback mountain gorillas as well as unique birds and insects in the tropical forest of Nyungwe. Rwanda is relatively easy, safe, and simple to travel around. (Cities were renamed a few years ago when the administrative structure of Rwanda was re-vamped. The former names refer to old provincial capitals. Expect people to use either name listed to refer to these cities.)
What to Experience in Rwanda
Taste of Rwanda...
The local "Brochettes" (kebabs) are delicious and are available in most bars and restaurants, as well as ubiquitous vendors along the roads. Small bars will primarily serve goat brochettes, and goat liver brochettes are often of higher quality to the locals. Zingalo is goat intestine, sometimes also served as a brochette. Some locals prefer this and it could be brought to you without asking at very "local" places. So, if you prefer not to eat zingalo, try to see whether other diners seem to be enjoying the spiral looking treat and specify you do not want it when you order ("OYA zingalo"). Some restaurants also serve beef and fish brochettes, and a few will serve chicken. Brochettes are usually served with french fries ("frites") or fried or grilled ibitoke. If Rwanda has a staple food, it is ibitoke (sing. igitoke). Ibitoke are starchy, potato-like bananas, which are not sweet like plantains. While plantains are available in Rwanda, they are not seen as particularly Rwandan food. Igitoke/banana are served boiled in sauce, grilled, or even fried. You can also refer to them as matoke, which is usually easier for foreigners to pronounce. The sweet bananas in Rwanda are delicious but considerably smaller than the matoke bananas. If you want this type of banana, ask for small banana or sweet banana. In urban areas a local buffet known as "Melange" is sold at lunchtime.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Rwanda into what it is today.
Hunter gatherers settled the territory in the stone and iron ages, followed later by Bantu peoples. The population coalesced first into clans and then into kingdoms. The Kingdom of Rwanda dominated from the mid-eighteenth century, with the Tutsi kings conquering others militarily and centralising power. The Tutsi and the Hutu shared a common language, religion and culture, and originally referred to different social classes, though Europeans would later introduce the concept of them being different ethnic groups during the colonial era. Germany colonized Rwanda in 1884 as part of German East Africa, followed by Belgium, which annexed it in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations ruled through the kings and perpetuated a pro-Tutsi divide-and-rule policy. The Hutu population revolted in 1959, who massacred numerous Tutsi, displaced more, and ultimately established an independent, Hutu-dominated state in 1962. The Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) launched a civil war in 1990. The rebels were led by Paul Kagame, a refugee fled to Uganda and proved his ability in overthrowing Uganda's Idi Amin regime. When the Rwandan president was killed in an airliner crash in 1994, it ignited the Rwandan genocide. Hutu extremists killed an estimated 500,000 to 1 million Tutsi and moderate Hutu. The RPF ended the genocide with a military victory. Remanent Hutu genocidaires fled to neighbouring Zaire and seek refuge from Mobutu....
Climate
Although Rwanda is located only two degrees south of the equator, Rwanda's high elevation makes the climate temperate. The average daily temperature near Lake Kivu, at an altitude of 1,463 m (4,800 ft) is 22.8°C (73°F). During the two rainy seasons (Feb–May and Sep–Dec), heavy downpours occur almost daily, alternating with sunny weather. Annual rainfall averages 800 mm (31.5 in) but is generally heavier in the western and northwestern mountains than in the eastern savannahs. Kinyarwanda is an official language and the main spoken language in Rwanda. It is also spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in southern Uganda. Kinyarwanda is a tonal language of the Bantu language family, closely related to Kirundi spoken in the neighboring country Burundi and much more distantly related to other Bantu languages such as Swahili. In addition to Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's three other official languages are English, French, and Swahili.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsA passport is required to enter Rwanda though a certificate of vaccination is not required unless coming from a yellow fever endemic country. Citizens of Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda can enter Rwanda visa-free for up to 6 months. Kenyan and Ugandan citizens may use an ID card in lieu of a passport to enter Rwanda. Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Mauritius, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles and Singapore citizens can also enter visa-free for 90 days. Additionally, citizens of member countries of the La Francophonie get visas on arrival for free for 30 days. Visitors from all countries who do not receive visa-free entry are eligible for visa on arrival for US$50 (as of Feb 2024). Payments for the visa may be made on arrival in both cash as well as credit card....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Short distances can be travelled either on foot, or by taxi-velo (bicycle taxi). Taxi-velos are widespread, and are relatively inexpensive but not allowed in urban areas. A taxi-velo driver will cycle, and the passenger will sit rather precariously on the back. Motorcycle taxis (taxi-moto) are also popular, especially in Kigali, a normal journey will cost from US$1-2. If you look like a foreigner and are walking on the main road, drivers will probably come up to you to offer a ride. Most of the drivers speak only very basic English or French, if they speak any. Taxis are less common, and are best found at taxi stations, by waiting at the taxi sign at bus stops, or by calling them. They are significantly more expensive, even short rides cost FRw2,000, and longer rides can be FRw5,000 or more. Slightly longer distances, indeed the whole country, can be travelled by Matatu (or Twegerane, literally let get closer).
Where to Stay
Accommodation is usually fairly basic and significantly more expensive than neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. Very basic accommodation will cost US$8–20. A few nice hotels can be found in Kigali, the most famous of which is the "Hotel des Milles Collines" (film buffs will be disappointed though, as Hotel Rwanda was produced in South Africa). Tourists are usually welcomed warmly in Rwanda, and the country is largely considered safe for visitors. The possible exceptions are certain places along the Congolese and Burundian borders. Rwandan troops have been rumoured to be involved in the civil war that still plagues the northeast of Democratic Republic of the Congo, mainly due to the presence of Interahamwe who fled after the 1994 genocide. Gisenyi and Kibuye are considered safe, but the border situation can change at any time: check travel advisories and local sources for further advice.
Money & Budget
The currency is the Rwandan franc (French: franc rwandais, Kinyarwanda: Ifaranga ry'u Rwanda), denoted by the symbols "FRw" or "RF" or "R₣" (ISO currency code of RWF (sometimes displayed as FRw, and possibly RF or R₣). In the Kinyarwanda language, it is also called the amafaranga. Coins in Rwanda come in denominations of 1-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50 and 100 Rwandan francs. Banknotes in Rwanda come in denominations of 500-, 1,000-, 2,000 and 5,000 Rwandan francs. The smallest-value note is a FRw500 note, which is the smallest note in physical size, as well. There are also notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000, with the larger notes becoming slightly larger in physical size.
Language & Talk
Kinyarwanda is an official language and the main spoken language in Rwanda. It is also spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in southern Uganda. Kinyarwanda is a tonal language of the Bantu language family, closely related to Kirundi spoken in the neighboring country Burundi and much more distantly related to other Bantu languages such as Swahili. In addition to Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's three other official languages are English, French, and Swahili. While French was the former language of administration under Belgian colonial rule, since the civil war the Rwandan government has moved away from the Francophone sphere of influence and switched the primary language of education to English in 2008.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Tourists are usually welcomed warmly in Rwanda, and the country is largely considered safe for visitors. The possible exceptions are certain places along the Congolese and Burundian borders. Rwandan troops have been rumoured to be involved in the civil war that still plagues the northeast of Democratic Republic of the Congo, mainly due to the presence of Interahamwe who fled after the 1994 genocide. Gisenyi and Kibuye are considered safe, but the border situation can change at any time: check travel advisories and local sources for further advice. Gorilla trekking near to the DRC border is generally considered safe, due to the large and continuous Rwandan army presence. Visitors should follow typical precautions - avoid poorly-lit or deserted places, avoid flaunting expensive jewelry, keep a close eye on wallets/purses when traveling through crowded markets, etc. The Rwandan police maintain a visible presence in larger towns, though often don't show much enthusiasm for their job.
Glimpses of Rwanda
Nyungwe park
Sunrise
Akagera National Park
volcanoes national park
A baby gorilla takes a ride on their mothers back
a giraffe and a truck on a dirt road
View from the air over Rwanda
WHEAT HARVEST TIME
Lake Kivu
Marriott Hotel Kigali Credits: Franck Axel
Nyungwe park
Sunrise
Akagera National Park