Rwanda Holidays

What is Rwanda known for?

Rwanda is nicknamed the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ due to the majestic mountains that stretch along the west of the country. The country has natural beauty in abundance, with varied landscapes featuring everything from volcanoes to rainforests to lakes. It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, especially in Volcanoes National Park.

What is the most popular food in Rwanda?

Ugali, a thick porridge made from maize flour, is a staple dish which often accompanies rich stews and other side dishes. Near lakes, fish is common, particularly tilapia – a versatile fish with a mild, slightly sweet taste, often served with sides of rice, plantain, peas and beans, sautéed in pepper and palm oil.

Alongside bowls of vegetables such as plantain and cassava, you’ll likely find skewers of spiced, grilled meat (known as brochettes) such as beef, goat or chicken. One of the national dishes is igisafuriya – bubbling chicken or goat stew with plantain or zingalo (tripe).

Chips are everywhere and may be made from potato, cassava or sweet potato. Fast food-wise, you must try a goat kebab with chips.

Dinner is often the biggest meal of the day in Rwanda, but in the meantime, there’s an abundance of juicy tropical fruits to keep you satiated, including papayas, pineapples, mangoes and bananas.

What drinks should I try in Rwanda?

The brewer, Bralirwa, is the biggest employer in the country; it produces the brands Primus, Mutzig and Amstel. There are two types of beer to try: the amarwa (or ikigage), made from the sorghum plant, and urwagwa, made from the fermentation of mashed bananas.

Rwandan Arabica coffee is aromatic, rich and globally acclaimed for its silky body and underlying fruity flavours. And if you like sweet milk, you’ve come to the right place. Called Ikivuguto, it’s popular among locals, appreciated for its probiotic properties, and has a tangy, yogurt-like taste.

How much should I tip in Rwanda?

Tipping is at your discretion but gratefully received. For drivers, we recommend a minimum of around £3-£5 per person per day; double this amount for guides. At hotels, the standard is £1 per bag for porters.

It’s best to align your tip with the local economy. Estimate the amount by comparing it with the price of a beer or a tea to make sure it fits with the standard of living.

How should I dress in Rwanda?

Modest clothing is expected, particularly when visiting religious or memorial sites. Dress codes are informal and respectful, so aim for knee-length or longer bottoms and avoid revealing tops in towns, villages and rural areas. Though it can get warm, walking around without a shirt is frowned upon, and swimwear is best kept at the pool or beach.

Slightly thicker clothing is useful in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park, especially when tracking gorillas. In the Akagera National Park, it’s recommended to avoid wearing blue as it attracts tsetse flies.

What etiquette is important to know when visiting Rwanda?

Rwandans are known for their warmth and strong sense of hospitality, but being mindful of cultural customs and local etiquette can help you show respect during your visit.

A handshake is the most common greeting in Rwanda and it’s polite to always use someone’s title when addressing them, until you’re invited to use their first name. Elders are held in high regard in Rwanda – always greet them first in social settings. Eating while walking is also seen as impolite. Even with snacks, sit down to eat or drink.

It’s also important to note that some areas in Rwanda may have photography restrictions, like government buildings, around military personnel or at sensitive sites. It’s polite to ask for permission before taking someone’s photo, especially in rural areas.

When is the best time to visit Rwanda?

The best time to visit Rwanda for game viewing and safaris is during the dry season between June and September. Wildlife congregates around water sources at this time, so they’re easier to spot.

The best time to visit Rwanda with fewer crowds (and still-dry weather) is between December and February.

The best time to visit Rwanda on a budget is in the rainy seasons between March and May, or October to December.

What is the climate like in Rwanda?

Rwanda has a mild, temperate climate year-round, thanks to its high elevation. Though temperatures vary by region, it’s cooler and more comfortable than in many other countries near the equator. Daytime temperatures average between 20-27°C, with nighttime temperatures sitting anywhere between 12-16°C.

There are two dry seasons and two rainy seasons:

• The long dry season, from June to mid-September, is considered the best for travellers with sunny skies and minimal rainfall.
• The short dry season, from December to February, is warm and relatively dry.
• The long rainy season runs from March to May. During this time, heavy rain, muddy roads and trail closures are common.
• The short rainy season, from October to November, is less intense than the long rainy season, but still brings unpredictable weather.

Where is Rwanda?

Rwanda is in East-Central Africa, just south of the equator. It’s a small, landlocked country that’s part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, known for its mountains, lakes and volcanic landscapes.

Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west.

How big is Rwanda?

Rwanda covers 10,169 square miles, making it the fourth-smallest African country on the mainland. Compared to the UK, Rwanda is around nine times smaller. However, it’s densely populated and geographically diverse.

Which plugs do they use in Rwanda?

They use Type C plugs (with two round pins) and Type J plugs (with three round pins), so you’ll need to bring an adaptor. The standard voltage is 230V.

What is the capital city of Rwanda?

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda. It’s in the centre of the country, on the Ruganwa River, and is the biggest city.

What language is spoken in Rwanda?

The four official languages spoken in Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili. Kinyarwanda is the national language and is spoken in most places, and French is also widely spoken as it’s the former colonial language.

What’s the time difference between the UK and Rwanda?

Rwanda is two hours ahead of GMT. They don’t observe daylight savings, so the difference is only one hour in summer.

What currency does Rwanda use?

The national currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF), which is divided into 100 centimes. It’s easy to exchange US dollars or euros into Rwandan francs on arrival. Most of the larger hotels in Kigali will accept payment by international credit card. In larger towns, most banks should have international ATMs.

Can you drink the tap water?

No, the tap water isn’t safe to drink. Always go for bottled mineral water, ensuring the cap hasn’t been broken, and avoid ice cubes.

When do amenities open?

• Offices are open Monday to Friday from 7am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. On Saturdays they’re open from 7am to 12pm.
• Shops are usually open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm.
• Banks are open Monday to Friday from 7am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. On Saturdays they’re open from 8am to 1pm.

How long is the flight?

A direct flight from London to Rwanda takes around eight hours and 40 minutes. Flights with a stopover can take between 11 hours and 15 hours, depending on how long the stopover is. Common stopover destinations include Amsterdam, Brussels, Doha and Entebbe.

Do I need a visa to visit Rwanda?

Yes, you need a visa to enter Rwanda. But you don’t need to worry about applying in advance – 30-day tourist visas are free and available on arrival for citizens of Commonwealth countries (including the UK).

What are the passport requirements?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive in Rwanda. It should have at least one blank page for entry stamps.

What are the vaccination requirements?

It’s recommended that you’re up to date with routine vaccinations for life in the UK. All travellers aged one year and above need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if they arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.