Rwanda, Rwanda - Travel Guide

Rwanda is known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" offering stunning landscapes, from volcanic mountains to lush rainforests. It is a premier destination for gorilla trekking, a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience. The country also boasts a rich cultural history and vibrant cities.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days

Budget$50/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$1000/day

Known For

KigaliEast AfricaVirunga MountainsGreat Rift ValleyLake Kivu

🇷🇼 Country Information: Rwanda

CapitalKigali

CurrencyRwandan franc (FRw)

Language Kinyarwanda , English,French,Swahili

Phone Code+250

Electricity230V (Type C, J)

Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated for good service
Restaurants: 5
10% of the bill, or round up
Tour guides/drivers: RWF 5,000
10,000 per day
Porters: RWF 500
1,000 per bag
Hotel staff: RWF 1,000
2,000 for good service

Money & Payments

ATMs are available in major cities but less common in rural areas
Credit cards are accepted in higher
end establishments, but cash is preferred for smaller transactions and in rural areas
It is advisable to bring some cash (USD or Euros are easily exchanged)
There is no official black market for cash, but informal money changers might exist

Cultural Norms

Dress modestly, especially when visiting rural areas or religious sites
Shoulders and knees should be covered
Politeness and respect are highly valued
Greet people with "Muraho" (hello)
It's customary to shake hands when greeting someone
Asking permission before taking photos of people is appreciated
"Umuganda" (community work) is compulsory for all adult citizens on the last Saturday of every month; tourists are not required to participate but can observe or volunteer

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. Homosexuality is not illegal, but there are no specific laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, and societal attitudes can be conservative. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples are not common.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, and possession or use of illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda
Visitors entering the country are required to dispose of any plastic bags they may have brought with them at the airport or border crossings
It is illegal to litter
When visiting memorials or religious sites, dress modestly

Common Phrases

HelloMuraho (moo-rah-hoh)

GoodbyeMwirirwe (mwee-ree-rweh) (during the day)

I'm fineNimeza (nee-meh-zah)

Thank youMurakoze (moo-rah-koh-zeh)

How are you?Amakuru? (ah-mah-koo-roo?)

Climate

Rwanda has a generally temperate tropical highland climate, with variations based on altitude.

Climate Zone: Tropical Savanna

Best Time to Visit

Rwanda experiences two rainy seasons: Mar
May and Oct
Dec
The dry seasons (Jun
Sep and Jan
Feb) are generally mild
No hurricane or earthquake season

Getting There

Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL) from major hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Direct flights are available from Brussels, Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and others

Getting Around

Taxis and ride
hailing apps (like Yego Moto and SafeMotos for motorbike taxis, or regular taxis via negotiated fares) are common in Kigali
Buses connect major towns
Car rentals with a driver are recommended for longer distances or self
drive if experienced with African roads

Health & Vaccinations

Yellow Fever vaccine is required for entry if arriving from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission
Consult a doctor for recommended vaccines like Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Rabies, and routine immunizations
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most areas, especially outside Kigali
Altitude sickness can be a concern in mountainous regions
Probiotics may be helpful

Staying Connected

eSIMs are available from local providers like MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda
Airalo and Nomad eSIM are known to work well

Local Cuisine

Brochettes must_try

Skewered and grilled meat, commonly beef, chicken, or goat, cooked over a charcoal stove for a unique taste. Often served with boiled potatoes, French

Ugali regional_speciality

A stiff porridge made primarily from corn flour, but sometimes including cassava flour, and considered a common East African staple. It is relatively

Isombe regional_speciality

A dish made from pounded cassava leaves that are boiled in salty water and often mixed with chopped onions, eggplant, spinach, and green pepper. Tradi

Igisafuria regional_speciality

A flavorful stew made by frying chicken thighs with green plantains and spinach, often with celery, green pepper, or hot pepper added for spice. This

Akabenzi regional_speciality

A dish consisting of pan-fried or dry-fried pork and vegetables. Despite the prevalence of vegetable-based meals, this pork dish is popular among loca

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permit permit_or_pass

Book at least 2–6 months in advance; up to 1-2 years for peak season.

Only 80 permits are issued per day across 10 gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, causing them to sell out far in advance.

Fun Facts

1. Rwanda was the first country in the world to have a female majority in its Parliament, achieving 56% female representation in 2008 and increasing to 61% today.
2. On the last Saturday of every month, business activity stops across Rwanda for "Umuganda," a mandatory community work day where citizens contribute to national development like cleaning streets or building schools.
3. The use of non-biodegradable plastic bags has been banned in Rwanda since 2008, contributing to its reputation as one of the cleanest nations on Earth.
4. Following the Rwandan genocide, the government switched the medium of education in schools from French to English.

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