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Located in the heart of Africa, Rwanda is a small landlocked country, known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" for its sweeping landscapes, mountainous terrain, and stunning wildlife. It is internationally recognized for its remarkable recovery from the genocide of 1994, demonstrating remarkable resilience and rebuilding efforts. Rwanda's crown jewel is the Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, where thrilling gorilla trekking experiences draw in tourists from around the globe. Other attractions include the serene Lake Kivu, vibrant Kigali City and its thriving arts scene, historical sites, and eco-parks. Rwanda delivers an unforgettable fusion of breathtaking natural beauty, profound historical depth, and a rich cultural heritage.


Rwanda

My overall experience in rwanda was good. I stayed in Kigali the capital. I felt safe. It's a very quiet country. They respect their rules and regulations. It's also very clean. Most of the locals don't speak English.

I almost always felt safe whilst travelling through Rwanda. Particularly outside of the tourist areas our white skin and obvious tourist status drew attention but it was almost always friendly. Local hawkers would come up to us but always respectable and accepted when we said no. Kids asking for money were sometimes a bit more persistent and on one occasion a little verbally aggressive but on the whole manageable. 

I travelled with a male family member who drove a hired car to get us from place to place. You would need to be a very confident driver to manage a self-drive as rules of the road can be non-existent! The majority of the roads between the main tourist destination are relatively well maintained tarmac except the N15 which had a lot of potholes. There are local drivers available though for a good price and this could be an option for a solo traveller/ non confident driver. 

My itinerary for just over a week in Rwanda was a couple of days in Kigali (recommend the women’s co-operative walking tour and of course the Genocide Memorial Museum is a must) then over a couple of days travel (via King’s Palace) to Nyungwe National Park (a nice trek and canopy walk but incredibly expensive, as are all the national parks, for tourists). Travelled across to Lake Kivu for a couple of days to relax and enjoy a boat trip (stayed at Spa Shallom which was a lovely and peaceful BnB but with a big hotel just down the road to get food and drinks). Then across to Akagera for a couple of days Safari. There was no time on this trip to see the northern park with its Gorillas but also the expense ($1500 per person) put this out of reach on this trip. 

Although the cost of living is low and this translates to cheap findings in hotels and local food, activities and things focused on tourists can be very expensive. A ticket to Nyungwe park for a local is USD$5 and for a tourist USD$100. 

Overall I had a great time in Rwanda and could have easily enjoyed a much longer time here. Just be prepared to draw a fair bit of attention if your appearance means you stand out and remember experiences may not be cheap but probably worth it!

Emily

Safe, Women-Only Hospitality Exchange in Rwanda

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Hospitality Exchange in Rwanda

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