Fly to Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked country with no access to the oceans. To the east is Tanzania, and in the south is Burundi. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is to the west of Uganda and Uganda is to the north. The country is located just south of the equator in the southern hemisphere.

The entire country is high, the lowest point in the country is at 950m above sea level.

The capital of Rwanda is Kigali and is found in the centre of the country.

The population of Rwanda is just over 12 million people in 2017, which equates to almost 500 people per square kilometre. 

You’ll more than likely need a visa to enter Rwanda, very few countries’ citizens do not. Some countries’ nationals can obtain a visa on arrival for USD30. If you need to apply for a visa prior to arrival this can be done online for USD50.

Ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity from your arrival date and has at least 1 blank page.

Almost all Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda. French and English are also official languages. The younger generation increasingly speaks English, but the older generations are better addressed to in French.

A few Kinyarwanda words:

• Murakoze = thank you
• Murakaza neza = welcome
• Bite? = What’s up?
• Mwaramutse = Hi or good morning
• Uvuga icyongereza?  = Do you speak English?
• Yego = Yes
• Oya = No

More than 94% of Rwandans are Christians. Just under 3% are Muslim.

After the genocide in 1994 where almost a million people are estimated to have died in 100 days, mostly Tutsis killed by Hutus, the Rwandans now focus more on being Rwandan, not Hutu or Tutsi. Visit the Genocide Museum in Kigali to learn more about this period and the remarkable journey of this country and its people since then.

When photographing people, always ask permission first and agree on payment if required.

Which movies to watch before going to Rwanda

‘Hotel Rwanda’, telling the story of how the manager of hotel des Mille Collines turned the place into a shelter for thousands who were fleeing the genocide, is a must for anybody going to Rwanda.

Another movie to watch is ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, which is based on the true-life story of Dian Fossey who worked with the gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans. Especially interesting of course if you are going to track with the gorillas yourself.

Sanitation is not up to first world standards. It is strongly advised that all travellers to the region consult with their doctor and are up to date with their travel vaccines.

Yellow fever vaccination and proof thereof is mandatory for travellers coming from yellow fever endemic countries and countries with active yellow fever transmission outbreaks.

The key to good health:

• Get vaccinated
• Eat and drink safely (bottled water as an example)
• Avoid touching live animals
• Avoid exchanging body fluids
• Take anti-malarial meds where required
• Prevent bug bites with lotions and long sleeves / trousers especially in the evenings
• Reduce your exposure to germs by washing your hands

There is a thriving art scene in Rwanda and you can pick up some really beautiful, one-off pieces to take home with you. Colourful paintings are a fantastic way to remember your Rwandan holiday, but the most famous of all Rwandan souvenirs are the woven baskets. They were traditionally used to carry wedding gifts to the lucky couple, but you can use them for anything you want. There is a huge variety and you will be able to find the piece that suits your style and colours.

Rwanda also sells a lot of local fabrics including the usually colourful kitenge. You can purchase some and take home to make clothes, cushions covers, or even wall hangings with them.

Other interesting pieces of art to buy are the typical Rwandan paintings called imigongo which are made with cow dung. The dung is applied to a wooden board and left to dry, often in geometrical and spiral designs. It is then painted with organic colours, traditionally in black, white, red, grey, and beige.

So when you are on the lookout for something Rwandan, make sure you try to have a look for:

• imigongo, the paintings made with cow dung
• fabrics, including kitenge
• pottery from the Batwa people
• t-shirts with prints
• paintings
• wood carvings
• jewellery

But whatever souvenir you pick up in Rwanda, please be aware what you are buying. Do not buy things made of ivory, coral, shells, rhino horn, tortoise shell, rare hardwoods or wild animal hides.

If you are not sure what the souvenir you are buying is made off and if it is legal, then don’t buy it. Not only it is illegal to buy certain items, but it is also illegal to transport those items out of the country and you can get in a lot of trouble.

Instead, try to find out where things are made locally, usually by women’s groups, and buy directly from them. A great way to support the people and show them that tourism brings jobs and money to the communities.