Rwanda
An hour with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is genuinely once-in-a-lifetime, and Kigali has become one of Africa's cleanest, most orderly capitals. Add chimpanzees in Nyungwe's montane forest, Big Five game drives in Akagera and the beaches of Lake Kivu. Gorilla permits are limited, so book well in advance.
Overview
Rwanda is small – a little larger than Wales – and its well-kept roads mean nowhere is more than five or six hours from Kigali. Most trips are built around wildlife: a night or two near Musanze for gorilla and golden monkey treks in the Virungas, then south-west to Nyungwe for chimpanzees and a canopy walkway, and east to Akagera for savannah game drives. Lake Kivu's shore links north and south, with the Congo Nile Trail for hikers and cyclists. Kigali deserves at least a day, above all for the Genocide Memorial.
Rwanda's tourism is deliberately high-value. Gorilla permits are among the most expensive wildlife fees anywhere, and lodges near the parks cost more than in neighbouring countries, though Kigali has good-value guesthouses and buses are cheap. The country feels orderly: plastic bags are banned, streets are swept, and on the last Saturday morning of each month umuganda community work pauses traffic. Visitors are often moved by how openly Rwanda confronts the 1994 genocide. The hills bring cool evenings, so pack layers and rain gear year-round.
Map of Rwanda
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Volcanoes National Park
An hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family on the bamboo-clad slopes of the Virungas is why most people come. Golden monkey treks, Dian Fossey's grave and a hike to Bisoke's crater lake are also possible.
- 2Nature
Nyungwe National Park
One of Africa's oldest montane rainforests, home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and some 300 bird species. Track chimps at dawn, then cross the suspended canopy walkway at Uwinka, high above the forest floor.
- 3Wildlife
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's savannah park on the Tanzanian border has been restored under African Parks, with lions and black rhinos reintroduced. Combine game drives with a boat trip on Lake Ihema for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.
- 4Nature
Lake Kivu
One of Africa's Great Lakes, fringed by steep terraced hills. Kayak among the islands off Karongi, cycle or hike stretches of the Congo Nile Trail, and unwind on the beaches at Rubavu.
- 5History
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The resting place of more than 250,000 victims, with a sober, powerful exhibition explaining how the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi unfolded. Allow at least two hours, and consider the audio guide.
Biggest cities
Kigali
Clean, hilly and easy to navigate, with the essential Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Inema and Niyo art centres, good coffee shops and the busy Kimironko market.
Rubavu (Gisenyi)
A laid-back town on Lake Kivu beside the Congolese border, with sandy beaches, lakeside hotels, a brewery and the northern start of the Congo Nile Trail.
Musanze (Ruhengeri)
The gateway to Volcanoes National Park, ringed by Virunga volcanoes; most visitors base themselves nearby for gorilla treks, with the Musanze caves and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo close by.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Rwanda
Best time: Jun–Sep.
Average climate in Kigali
Festivals & events
- AugUmuganura
The national harvest festival on the first Friday of August celebrates Rwandan culture with traditional dance, drumming, shared food and community events across the country.
- SepKwita Izina
Rwanda's gorilla-naming ceremony at Kinigi, usually held around September, names the year's newborn mountain gorillas amid dancing, drumming and invited guest namers.
How much does Rwanda cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Isombe
Pounded cassava leaves stewed with aubergine, spinach, onion and peanut paste or palm oil; Rwanda's best-loved home-style dish, eaten with rice or plantain.
Brochettes
Skewers of goat, beef or fish grilled over charcoal, served with roast potatoes or plantain and a dab of fiery Akabanga chilli oil.
Agatogo
A comforting stew of green plantain simmered with tomato, onion and often beef or goat; hearty everyday food across the country.
Getting around
Express minibus coaches run from Kigali's Nyabugogo terminal to Musanze, Rubavu, Huye and Rusizi, with fixed fares and frequent departures. Within Kigali, moto-taxis are quick and supply helmets, and app-based taxis and card-operated city buses are easy to use. For the national parks most visitors hire a car with a driver, since Akagera requires a vehicle and gorilla treks start at dawn. RwandAir flies from Kigali to Kamembe in the south-west.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CEFG230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +250
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not traditional, but 10 per cent is appreciated in tourist restaurants. Gorilla-trek guides, trackers and porters, safari drivers and lodge staff expect tips.
- Etiquette
- Avoid asking people about ethnicity: questions about Hutu or Tutsi identity are deeply sensitive. Greet people before asking for help, dress modestly and never photograph soldiers or government buildings.
- Main airports
- Kigali International Airport (KGL), Kigali
Visas & entry for Rwanda
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Rwanda as a visitor. As a citizen of a Commonwealth country, you can get a free 30-day visa on arrival.
Rwanda’s immigration department has information on visa requirements.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseaseRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Rwanda: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Rwanda
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | Day after New Year's Day |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Day after New Year's Day (observed) |
| Mon 1 Feb 2027 | National Heroes' Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Wed 7 Apr 2027 | Memorial Day of Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in 1994 |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Labour Day (observed) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Thu 1 Jul 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sun 4 Jul 2027 | Liberation Day |
| Mon 5 Jul 2027 | Liberation Day (observed) |
| Fri 6 Aug 2027 | Umuganura Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Kinyarwanda
| English | Kinyarwanda | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Muraho | moo-RAH-ho |
| Thank you | Murakoze | moo-rah-KOH-zay |
| Please | Nyamuneka | nya-moo-NEH-ka |
| Excuse me | Mbabarira | mm-bah-bah-REE-rah |
| How much is this? | Ni angahe? | nee an-GAH-hay |
Know before you go
- Gorilla permits are limited and sell out months ahead for June to September; book through the Rwanda Development Board or a reputable operator before arranging anything else.
- Plastic bags are banned and may be confiscated on arrival, so pack in other bags. On the last Saturday morning of each month, umuganda community work closes many businesses and roads.
- Mobile money and cards work in Kigali, but carry Rwandan francs for rural areas; any US dollars you bring should be recent, undamaged notes.
Rwanda travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
The best time to visit Rwanda is generally Jun–Sep. Peak months are June, July, August and September. Average highs in Kigali range from 26°C to 29°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Rwanda cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £120 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Rwanda?
Rwandan franc (RWF).
What plug type does Rwanda use?
Type C, E, F and G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Rwanda?
Traffic drives on the right in Rwanda, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Rwanda?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Rwanda?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Rwanda as a visitor. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Rwanda before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/rwanda/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Rwanda?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
