The Singapore of Africa: Essential Rwanda Travel Guide — Part 1

Today we're introducing Rwanda, one of the smallest countries in Africa. Have you seen the Rwanda trip on The Great Guide 2, the travel show aired on MBC?

From comedy legend Park Myung-soo and Kim Dae-ho, taking on his first variety show after going freelance, to Choi Daniel, the rising star everyone's talking about! These 3 Africa first-timers set off on a trip to Rwanda without a local guide. Catch a vivid glimpse of Rwanda on The Great Guide 2!

Together with Ahmo Travel, an Africa travel specialist, let's go from the basics about Rwanda to the essential routes that even first-time visitors to Africa can enjoy. In this first installment, we'll cover the basics about Rwanda in the following order.

1. Location
2. Language
3. Prices
4. Safety
5. Weather
6. Rwanda travel tips

Where in Africa Is Rwanda Located?

Rwanda is a landlocked country in East Africa, located just south of the equator. Despite being so close to the equator, it isn't hot and enjoys a relatively mild climate all year round. That's because it sits on high ground, at an altitude of about 1,500 m or more.

Rwanda is also nicknamed the “land of a thousand hills.” That's because more than 70% of the country is made up of hills and rolling uplands.

What Languages Are Spoken in Rwanda?

Rwanda's official languages are English, Kinyarwanda, French and Swahili. Kinyarwanda, the native language, is the most widely spoken, and since English is an official language, you can easily get by in English in the capital, Kigali. So even first-time visitors to Africa can take on a trip to Rwanda with ease, right?

What Are Prices Like in Rwanda?

Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc (RWF), at about 1400 francs to 1 US dollar, a level similar to the Korean won. Most daily necessities and manufactured goods are imported, so they aren't cheaper than in Korea. Eating out, however, costs around 10,000 francs per meal, about 20% cheaper than in Korea.

Is Rwanda Safe to Visit?

Since few people know anyone who has traveled to Rwanda, many find the country unfamiliar. In particular, a common question is, “Is Rwanda really safe?” It's a very natural thing to wonder. The less familiar a destination, the more safety tends to be the top concern.

In 2023, Rwanda made the BBC's list of the 5 safest countries for women traveling solo. It is now regarded as the safest country in Africa. However, the Rubavu area bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been raised to travel alert Level 3 by Korea's foreign ministry, so be sure to check the latest alerts on the ministry's overseas travel safety site before you go.

What's the Weather Like in Rwanda?

Rwanda has a tropical climate, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year.

• Rainy seasons: March–May and October–December
• Dry seasons: June–September and January–February

With barely any rain, June to September is the best time to visit Rwanda, including for trekking.

And here's one more interesting fact about Rwanda!

Is Rwanda the cleanest place in Africa?!

Single-use plastic bags are strictly banned in Rwanda for everyone, travelers included. On the morning of the last Saturday of every month, people gather in the streets to clean up together on “umuganda day” (umuganda means coming together for a common purpose). As a result, there is hardly any plastic litter on the streets, and the capital, Kigali, in particular is known as the cleanest and safest city in East Africa.

Rwanda Travel Tips: Visas, Vaccinations and Etiquette

Getting a Visa

You need a visa to visit Rwanda as a tourist. You can only enter with a 30-day tourist visa (V1) or an East Africa Tourist Visa, so we recommend getting one before your trip.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccination certificates you must present to enter Rwanda. However, taking antimalarial medication is recommended for a safe trip.

Other Tips

Rwanda bans plastic bags to protect the environment. Plastic bags are collected on arrival at Kigali airport, so it's easiest to throw them away beforehand or not pack them at all. Also note that photographing government buildings is prohibited during your trip.

See also: 9 Essentials to Pack for Your First East Africa Safari

Today we've covered everything from the basics about Rwanda to travel tips, as listed below.

1. Location
2. Language
3. Prices
4. Safety
5. Weather
6. Rwanda travel tips

Next time, we'll introduce Rwanda's top attractions along with a Rwanda itinerary that even first-time visitors to Africa can easily follow. If you're curious about Rwanda, contact Ahmo Travel and don't miss our upcoming travel tips!

We'll tell you all about Rwanda, from the sights featured on The Great Guide 2 to the footsteps of Park Myung-soo, Choi Daniel and Kim Dae-ho.

Need a 1:1 Custom Trip Plan for Rwanda?

Ahmo Travel is a travel agency specializing in 1:1 custom trip plans for Africa and South America, and we fine-tune every detail to your schedule and budget, from luxury hotels to great-value stays. Just reach out, and we can propose a custom plan for Rwanda. We have a wealth of travel information on every corner of Africa, so you can combine destinations, accommodation and activities like building blocks to create a one-of-a-kind trip. Every consultation is free of charge. Thanks to close communication between our expert consultants and local partners, our information is always up to date. Start a special Ahmo Travel experience today: more freedom than a package tour, and more peace of mind than going it alone.