What To Expect When Visiting Rwanda

When we set off for our trip around the world, Rwanda was not initially on our destination list. Thinking about the turmoil and genocide the country endured in 1994, I was uncertain we would ever visit this tiny African country. It wasn’t until our Canadian friends moved to Rwanda that we decided to visit them and see Rwanda. We were thankful that we made that decision, as Rwanda was one of the highlights on our ‘round the world trip. In order to prepare for an unforgettable trip, we break down what to expect when visiting Rwanda.

Expect to meet incredibly friendly people

Saying that Rwandans are friendly is an understatement. They are among the nicest people we have met anywhere in the world. They often take the time to introduce themselves to strangers and greet them with a hug. They are always smiling and are very hard workers.

Expect greetings from adorable, curious, and super friendly children

The children of Rwanda love to greet foreigners. It warmed our hearts every time a pack of youngsters excitedly ran to us to say hello or waved to us as we drove by. Unfortunately, we learned that they have all learned how to say “give me money” in English. Despite that, their smiling faces and youthful enthusiasm remain etched in our memories.

Expect to be stared at

Tourism is relatively new in Rwanda, and many people are not used to seeing foreigners, especially in rural areas. In the capital city, Kigali, there are a lot of foreign expats and business people, but in other parts of the country you will be stared at! This is not because people are being rude, they are simply curious.

Expect to drive with a serious degree of concentration

The easiest way to get around the small country of Rwanda is to drive. However, it can be stressful at times. Checking mirrors and then double checking mirrors before turning a corner or changing lanes is imperative, as there are motos (motorcycle taxis) everywhere. Pedestrians (and the occasional animal) also share the road in all areas of the country and not just the city. While behind the wheel, we were also on high alert for giant potholes and huge speed bumps. Finally, we quickly learned that the biggest car has the right of way!

Expect to rent a 4×4 vehicle if driving outside the city

If driving outside of the city, it is important to drive a 4×4 vehicle. The roads can be extremely bumpy and a regular sedan would not be safe. There is a reason that the locals refer to off-road driving as an ‘African Massage’.

Expect that Google directions may not be accurate

When driving through Rwanda, we quickly realized that Google directions did not always send us on safe roads. If the road doesn’t look safe, you probably shouldn’t be on it. Usually, most of the main towns are connected with decent roads and locals will help guide the way.

Expect to dress smart

In Rwanda, we were surprised at how well people dressed. At home in Canada people walk around in yoga pants and jeans! In Rwanda, men usually wear collared shirts and dress pants. Women dress up as well, and we loved seeing the colourful kitenge fabric dresses. The locals certainly dress to impress.

Expect to wait a long time for food

Rwandan food is delicious, but ordering it from a restaurant involves a long wait time. Depending on the place, a meal typically takes about one hour to arrive after being ordered. In some cases, we waited over two hours for our food to arrive!

Expect to double check your bills

We noticed that most of our bills were not accurate at restaurants. Be sure to double check the items and the prices to make sure it syncs up with what you actually ordered.

Expect to have great coffee

Rwanda is known for its coffee and we were blown away! From coffee at hostels to chic cafés, the quality was always good! It is also very easy (and affordable) to pick up some locally-produced coffee to take home.

Expect to receive the “mzungu” price

For negotiable transactions including transportation and markets, “mzungus” (foreigners) will be told a much higher price. While a lot of times the higher price may not be that much to you, it’s important to remember that you are hurting the local economy by paying prices most locals would not be able to afford. We recommend asking around for what the going rate is, and negotiate fairly.

Expect to take motorcycle taxis

The easiest, cheapest, and most efficient way to get around Kigali is on motos (motorcycle taxis). They are everywhere! Every moto driver has an extra helmet for the passenger. Simply get on the moto and tell them where you are going. When you arrive at your destination, pay them (based on your experience or, if you are uncertain, ask around what the trip should cost). If the moto driver feels you have underpaid, they will keep their hand out for more.

The minimum cost per trip is 300 RWF and no ride should cost more than 1500 RWF within the city. Keep in mind that mzungus (foreigners) will likely be charged more than locals. Also, prices are higher when it’s dark and/or recently rained. You may also have difficulty finding a moto if it is raining (they will all take shelter at that time). Finally, if you want to take the guesswork out of paying, you can negotiate your price upfront before riding. Check out some more useful advice below!

Expect good prices for SIM cards and data plans

At the time we were visiting in spring 2019, the 3G network was actually more reliable than the 4G. For $11,500 RWF we bought two SIM cards and two plans with 3GB and 7GB of data respectively. That was more than enough to get us through two weeks in Rwanda. Be sure to purchase your SIM card from an authorized dealer in a store (we went to the MTN centre in UTC).

Expect spotty wifi

We found that it was rare to have fast or reliable wifi anywhere in the country. Therefore, having a SIM card and data plan was very helpful.

Expect to say yes

We learned very quickly that saying no was not an option. We had some incredible experiences with locals by simply saying yes when offered a beer or invited to a bar. As mentioned earlier, Rwandans are among the nicest people we have met on our travels. Say yes and you will not be disappointed!

If you are on the fence about visiting Rwanda, take our advice and go! It is an amazing and progressive country full of breathtaking scenery, super friendly people, and excellent food. We loved that there were not many tourists and we were able to see the country before the big tourism boom hits!