Money and payments
Cards and cash
This is useful if you run low on funds without needing to find an ATM or exchange bureau.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated.
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Africa · Eastern AfricaOutline guideCountry in East Africa
Photo: Emmanuelkwizera, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Rwanda is an East African country known as the land of a thousand hills. It is easily accessible from Kenya and Uganda, and is one of the safest and most organised countries on the continent. The rolling green highlands, volcanic mountains, and ancient rainforests make it a striking destination. Rwanda is best known for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, but also offers savannah wildlife in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks in Nyungwe National Park, and a vibrant capital in Kigali. The country is compact, well connected, and easy to travel around.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Rwanda.
Cards and cash
This is useful if you run low on funds without needing to find an ATM or exchange bureau.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated.
English, French, Kinyarwanda
Kinyarwanda is an official language and the main spoken language in Rwanda. It is also spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in southern Uganda.
Local SIM cards are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns.
Tap water is not drinkable.
Despite being close to the equator, Rwanda's high altitude (Kigali sits at around 1,500 m) keeps the climate temperate rather than tropical hot.
Rwanda is a very conservative society, and most people dress modestly, especially women. Wearing shorts or tight skirts and skimpy tops is likely to get you stared at twice as much as normal.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital city
Gicumbi (formerly Byumba) is a district in Northern Province of Rwanda. Gicumbi is one of five districts of Northern Province used to be called Byumba Province.
Cyangugu is a city of about 64,000 people (2015) in Rusizi District in Western Province of Rwanda.
Gisenyi is a city in Rubavu district, is the third largest city of Rwanda.
Butare, also known as Huye, is the third largest city of Rwanda, located in the south. Butare is the capital of Butare district.
Kabuga is in the Gasabo and Kicukiro districts of Kigali city, Rwanda.
Kibeho is the largest town in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda, located in the south. The town is famous in central Africa as the location where groups of young men and women had visions of the virgin Mary in the 1980s.
Kibungo is a city of 46,000 people (2014) in eastern Rwanda, 100 km from Kigali, along the main road to Tanzania. Kibungo is a major commercial city and the administrative headquarters of the Ngoma District, situated in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.
Kibuye is a city in western Rwanda on the shore of Lake Kivu — the surrounding area offers some stunning views of the lake. The new name is Karongi, most people still call it Kibuye though.
Muhanga (formerly Gitarama; renamed in 2006) is a city in the Southern Province, Rwanda, though it is physically closer to the centre of the country, about 45 km (28 mi) southwest of Kigali at an elevation of about 1,800 m (5,900 ft).
Ruhengeri, also called Musanze, is a city in Northern Province of Rwanda's Musanze district and the second largest city in Rwanda, with a population of about 153,000 (2022). It is famous for hosting the Volcanoes National Park and is the port of call for tourists heading up the hills to Kinigi.
Ngororero is a district in Rwanda west of Kigali.
Nyamata is a city of 35,000 people (2012) in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.
Rwamagana is the capital of the Rwamagana District and Rwanda's Eastern Province. In 2015, it was home to about 47,000 people.
The park is home to the 'Big 5' - lion, black rhino, buffalo, elephant, and leopard.
Gishwaki-Mukura National Park is in Rwanda.
Home to the mountain gorillas, this park spreads into Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. The setting for Gorillas in the Mist, author Dian Fossey's research. If you can afford it, it's an excellent experience, and even possible as a daytrip from Kigali.
The best preserved rainforest in the mountains throughout Central Africa.
Places in Rwanda on the World Heritage List.
Nyungwe Forest
Listed 2023
Murambi Genocide Memorial
Listed 2023
Kigali Genocide Memorial
Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
Listed 2023
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Rwanda.
Buses
Kigali has an organised public bus network with numbered routes covering the city.
Ride hailing
Two main ride hailing apps operate in Kigali:
Taxis
Regular taxis are available at taxi stations and marked bus stops but are less common than ride hailing. They are significantly more expensive than motos.
Bicycle taxis
In rural areas and smaller towns, taxi-velos (bicycle taxis) are a common and cheap way to cover short distances. The driver cycles while the passenger sits on the back.
Car rental and driving
Car rental is available from various suppliers in Kigali. Roads between main towns are paved and in good condition. Secondary roads may be dirt, with some requiring a four wheel drive vehicle.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Rwanda.
Finding apps for Rwanda…
Other ways to travel:Motos
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kigali · International · KGL
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Kigali
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 26° | 27° | 26° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 25° |
| Avg. low | 15° | 15° | 15° | 15° | 15° | 13° | 13° | 14° | 15° | 15° | 15° | 14° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 96 | 102 | 153 | 178 | 139 | 50 | 31 | 56 | 88 | 129 | 160 | 109 |
| Humidity | 74% | 72% | 76% | 82% | 82% | 74% | 66% | 65% | 68% | 74% | 79% | 77% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$85
Per person, per day
Luxury
$220
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $50 | $130 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 3 of 4Reconsider travel
Reconsider travelin Rwanda due to crime, unrest and health risks. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Rwanda due to the Health situation. Health The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Crime Petty crime like pickpocketing is a risk in urban areas. More serious incidents are less common but can happen. This includes burglary or targeted theft. Stay aware of your surroundings. Unrest Armed groups, individuals, and military forces often clash in nearby countries. The ongoing violence in these areas has the risk of spilling over into Rwanda. Do not travel within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Rusizi District FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the parts of Rusizi District which are within 10km of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the Rwandan islands in Lake Kivu and Kamembe Airport. Rwanda-DRC border Risks associated with the proximity of potential fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may affect people on the Rwandan side of the border. International borders are often not well marked in remote areas, and you could unknowingly cross into DRC. You may see a presence of military personnel on both sides of the border. See Democratic Republic of the Congo’s travel advice for more information. Keep up to date with developments through local media. The border crossings between Rwanda and DRC could close at short notice. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth &…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Rwanda.
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