Holiday Guide to Rwanda

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains.

Rwanda was recently voted the world’s ninth-safest country and Africa’s safest country by the World Economic Forum. It’s got one of the lowest crime rates of any African city – in Kigali, locals and tourists can happily stroll along the park-lined boulevards long after the sun has sunk beneath the distant hills.

What To See, Where To Go

When it comes to things to do in Rwanda, nearly every tourist has one activity at the top of their itinerary: gorilla trekking. The mystique of getting up close to creatures who share 99 percent of our human DNA captivates travelers from around the world, and there’s no better place than Rwanda to do it.

Nature lovers can go on safari in Akagera National Park and get a bird’s-eye view of Nyungwe Forest from a canopy walk. If you’re interested in culture, check out the fascinating exhibits on traditional customs and beliefs at Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum. And if you have time, don’t miss the royal cows (and the singers who croon to them) at the King’s Palace Museum.

The cost of a permit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a whopping US$1500. A good proportion is funnelled directly into the conservation of the gorillas, which is a truly fantastic mandate, but it does make the cost of your trip very high.

If you’re looking for interesting places to visit during your Rwandan vacation, here are some suggestions:

Best Places to Visit in Rwanda:

Volcanoes National Park
Kigali Genocide Memorial
Nyungwe Forest National Park
King’s Palace Museum
Akagera National Park
Lake Kivu
Ethnographic Museum
Gorilla Guardians Village
Explore Kigali

How many days do you need in Rwanda?

Travelling around Rwanda for one week is enough to see most of the highlights of the country. If you have more time, this is only better and you can travel around at a slower pace.

Best Time To Visit Rwanda

For travellers from the Middle East, the perfect time to visit Rwanda is between mid-December to February. Or you can also vist in the dry season months of June to September. During these periods, conditions are perfect to go on gorilla trekking adventure. Try and avoid Rwanda’s long rainy season which lasts from about March to May. It is the worst period of the year to visit the country.

Where to Stay in Rwanda

Accommodation options in Rwanda generally falls into two broad categories: hotels in the capital Kigali; and safari lodges and tented camps located inside national parks and reserves. Here is our selection of top Rwanda accommodation includes luxury ranch-style lodges, affordable jungle camps and modern city hotels:

Bisate
Magashi Camp
Hotel des Mille Collines
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Ruzizi Tented Camp
Kigali Serena Hotel
One&Only Nyungwe House
Virunga Lodge
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Amakoro Songa Lodge
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
The Retreat by Heaven
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

How To Get There

All international flights land at Kigali, and guests often choose to overnight in Kigali on arrival. A scenic road transfer will be needed to get to the gorilla parks. Main roads are generally good but travel is much slower than on roads of most developed nations. Secondary roads are of variable quality and often slow and bumpy especially around the gorilla parks and wildlife safari routes.

Airlines servicing Kigali International Airport are: RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Helicopter transfers within Rwanda are available through Akagera Aviation.

Visa Requirements

Nationals of all countries receive a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders. A single entry tourist visa costs US $50 (exclusions apply for select countries and is valid for 30 days).

Getting Around

Rwanda has a well-surfaced road network linking the major towns, and the most convenient way to travel the country is by car. Smaller roads are frequently unsurfaced with varying conditions, especially during rainy season. Tour operators can arrange a vehicle with driver, or a number of agencies rent out cars and 4x4s.