Your trip to Rwanda – the complete guide

Your trip to Rwanda  – The Complete Guide

Your trip to Rwanda – the complete guide  : Rwanda is among the best travel destination on the African continent with various attractions including mist – shrouded mountains, rolling hills, lush grasslands protected areas, wildlife includinwg Big Five and primates such as the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees among others.

The capital city of Rwanda “The land of a thousand hills” is Kigali City, this beautiful cosmopolitan city has a flourishing art and restaurant scene and several sites which are reminders of the genocide that devastated the country in 1994.

Despite a horrific past, Rwanda has rose from ashes like a phoenix and is now considered as one the safest destination in Africa, the cleanliest city in Africa and one of the top travel destinations on the continent.

Visiting Rwanda should be on the top of your bucket list, this article provides all the information needed your visit, from tip on when to visit and how to get around and the country’s top attractions.

Planning your Rwanda Trip

Best Time to Visit

Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year, however the best time for your trip is during the long dry season running from June to September. In this period of the year, the terrain is relatively dry making gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and game viewing easier. Also, there are fewer mosquitoes thus low chances of contracting malaria.

Language

There are three official languages in Rwanda that is Kinyarwanda, English and French. These languages are spoken by 93 percent of the population.

Currency

Rwandan Franc (RWF).

Getting Around

Rwanda has well maintained road according to the East African standards, getting around is easier thanks to a network of reliable and scheduled private buses and minibuses.

In Kigali City, taxis and moto – taxis/motorcycles abound (cheaper option). Many visitors choose to hire a vehicle and driver for their time in Rwanda mostly for those planning to do a good amount of traveling.

Travel Tip

Malaria is prevalent throughout Rwanda so all travelers are recommended to take prophylactics. When consulting your doctor, remember to specify to your doctor that you are traveling to Rwanda. This is because Chloroquine is not effective in this region.

All visitors should have proof of yellow fever vaccination to be allowed entry into Rwanda mostly those traveling from countries with a risk of yellow fever infection.

Things To Do in Rwanda

Most the travelers visit Rwanda for an encountrwaner with the majestic mountain gorillas, there are just over 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world and Rwanda’s volcanoes national park is where one can find them.

Mountain gorillas are our closest relatives sharing 98 percent of our genetic code, Rwanda is one of the only three countries in the world where they can be seen.

Rwanda is home to plenty of wildlife including chimpanzee, black and white colobus monkeys in Nyungwe Forest National Park, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park and Big Five (lions, leopards, African buffaloes, rhinos and leopards) in Akagera National Park.

Visitors can also enjoy boat cruises on Lake Kivu and explore cultural attraction of Kigali.

Kigali City and its surrounding is full of historical landmarks perfect for travelers wishing to learn more about the Rwanda Genocide including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the real – life Hotel Rwanda –  Hôtel des Mille Collines.

Gorilla trekking – meeting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas should be on top of the activities to do during your trip, the gorillas can be tracked through Volcanoes national park. Get ready to hike through the montane cloud forests in search of troops that have been habituated to allow close encounters with humans.  As you are planning to do gorilla trekking experience, be aware that trekking permits in Rwanda are limited and you have to book well in advance.

Visit genocide memorials – The genocide memorial sites are perfect site for visitors who wish to learn more about the Rwanda genocide and pay respect to thousands of Rwandese who died during these horrific massive killings.  Some of the beautiful sites to visit include Kigali Genocide Memorial, Nyamata Church and Ntarama Church where hundreds of men, women and children sought refuge only to be killed during the massive slaughter.

Explore Kigali’s rich culture – immerse yourself into the beautiful culture of Rwanda by visiting several cultural centers, Kigali city boasts an impressive restaurant scene and many contemporary art galleries including Inema Arts Center and Niyo Art Gallery. For an insight into the local life of the Rwandese, visit the Nyamirambo Women’s centre.

Other activities to do in Rwanda include game viewing in Akagera national park.

What to Eat and Drink

In Kigali City, there many restaurants serving almost any cuisine from French and Belgian to Indian and Thai. If you are planning to have a taste of authentic Rwanda local meals, there are many places outside of the capital to eat from. Some of the staples to enjoy include roasted goat, fried or grilled tilapia, stews of beef or chicken and Sambaza, a type of small fried fish indigenous to Lake Kivu. There is also rice, chapatti and Ugali and matoke which is a classic Rwandan side made from stewed bananas or plantains.

Still to drinking bottled water and bottled drinks or local beer like Virunga, Skol, Mutzing, Turbo King or imported French and South African Wine. Rwanda has its own honey and banana wine known as Urwagwa.

Note: You should stay away from Tap Water.

Where to stay

If you are planning on spending some time in Kigali City during your Rwanda trip, there are two of the most popular neighborhoods for visitors and these include Nyarutarama and the upscale and vibrant Kimihurura. These two areas have plenty of options for restaurants, cafes and nightlife, the two neighborhoods have a reputation for safety.

Elsewhere in Rwanda, travelers inside the main tourist attractions or around them. These main attractions include Volcanoes National Park in the northwest, Nyungwe Forest National Park in the Southwest, Akagera National Park in the far east and Lake Kivu in the West.

All these destinations have a wide selection of accommodation options ranging from affordable self-catering chalets to luxury lodges.

Getting There

The main port of entry for most international visitors to Rwanda is Kigali International Airport, located approximately six miles east of the city center, the airport handles flights from numerous airlines including RwandAir, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, and Qatar Airways.

Most visitors to Rwanda require a visa, however visas are issued on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders. A single-entry visa costs $50 and a multiple entry visa costs $ 70, both of these visas are valid for 30 days.

Note: Members of the African Union, La Francophonie and the Commonwealth are waived visa fees for stays of up to 30 days.

 Culture and Customs

• Rwanda is a typically conservative nation and all visitors are recommended to dress modestly and avoid public confrontations and displays of affection.
• Pointing is considered impolite, so Rwandans shake hands with their right hand and use their chins to indicate direction
• It is customary for the young to greet the elderly first and for women to greet men first.
• The Genocide is still a recent memory for many Rwandese so it is best not to instigate conservations about politics or asking people you meet about their ethnic groups
• Tipping is not expected but appreciated as a reward for good service, this especially for drivers, tour guides, rangers and porters.