Rwanda travel guide
Rwanda is a small, green, hilly country in East Africa, known as the land of a thousand hills. Most visitors come to trek to see mountain gorillas in the Virunga volcanoes, and stay for chimpanzees in Nyungwe, savannah wildlife in Akagera and the shores of Lake Kivu. Kigali is clean, orderly and easy to explore, and the country is compact enough to see a lot in a short trip.
Places worth the trip
Volcanoes National Park
In the Virunga Mountains on the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, habituated families of mountain gorillas can be visited for one hour with a ranger. Permits are limited and must be booked well ahead. Golden monkey treks and the hike to Dian Fossey's grave are also possible.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
One of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa, in the south-west, home to chimpanzees, many other primates and hundreds of bird species. A canopy walkway hangs high above a forested valley.
Akagera National Park
A savannah and lakeland park on the Tanzanian border. Lions and rhinos have been reintroduced, so visitors can see the Big Five on game drives and boat trips on Lake Ihema.
Lake Kivu
A large lake shared with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with beaches, islands and boat trips from the towns of Rubavu (Gisenyi), Karongi (Kibuye) and Rusizi. The Congo Nile Trail follows its shore by bike or on foot.
Kigali
The capital is spread over hills, with art galleries, cafés serving Rwandan coffee and markets such as Kimironko. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a moving and important visit to understand the events of 1994.
King's Palace Museum, Nyanza
A reconstructed royal residence with a thatched beehive-shaped palace, telling the story of the Rwandan monarchy. Long-horned Inyambo cattle, once kept by the royal court, are shown with traditional songs.
Interesting facts about Rwanda
- Rwanda banned plastic bags in 2008, and bags may be checked and confiscated on arrival.
- On the last Saturday of each month, Umuganda, a morning of community work, takes place nationwide, and some services pause during it.
- Rwanda has one of the highest shares of women in parliament in the world.
- Almost all Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda, which is an official language alongside English, French and Swahili.
- Lake Kivu contains large amounts of dissolved methane, which is extracted to generate electricity.
Best time to visit Rwanda
The long dry season, from about June to September, is the most popular time, when gorilla trekking trails are less muddy and wildlife in Akagera gathers near water. December to February is a shorter dry season and also good. The rainy seasons, roughly March to May and October to November, bring heavy showers and slippery trails, but the countryside is very green and parks are quieter. Because of the altitude, the climate is mild all year.
Getting around
Distances are short: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park takes around two to three hours by road, and to Nyungwe or Akagera a little longer. Roads between the main towns are generally good but winding. Many visitors travel with a driver-guide arranged through a tour operator; self-drive rentals are possible. Public buses link the main towns cheaply. In Kigali, motorbike taxis (moto) are common and riders provide helmets; ordinary taxis and ride-hailing apps are also available.
Practical details
- Capital
- Kigali
- Currency
- Rwandan franc (RWF)
- Languages
- Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili
- Plug types
- C, E, G
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 police, 912 ambulance
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Appreciated in restaurants and on tours. Gorilla trekking guides, porters and trackers are customarily tipped.
Staying online in Rwanda
4G coverage is good in Kigali and across much of the country, including most towns and many rural areas. Signal can be weak in the depths of Nyungwe forest, on the slopes of the volcanoes and in parts of Akagera. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, lodges and cafés in Kigali, with some public hotspots. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can contact your guide and use maps straight away.
Rwanda eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Rwanda, V2
無制限
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Rwanda, V2
無制限
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Rwanda, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Rwanda, V2
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Navigation around Kigali's hills and between parks; download offline maps for the parks.
- WhatsApp: Widely used by tour operators, drivers and lodges to keep in touch with guests.
- XE Currency: Converts Rwandan franc prices.
Rwanda travel FAQs
A reasonable level of fitness helps. Treks can last from under an hour to several hours over steep, muddy ground at altitude. Rangers try to match groups to ability, and porters can be hired to carry bags and help on the trail.
Waterproof jacket, walking boots, long sleeves and trousers, gardening gloves for gripping vegetation, water and snacks. Bring your passport and permit to the briefing.
Yes, coverage is good across much of the country. Roaming on a home plan is usually expensive, so a travel eSIM gives you local data while keeping your own number active.
Cards are accepted in many hotels, lodges and restaurants in Kigali, but cash is needed in rural areas, markets and for tips. Mobile money is very widely used by residents.