Rwanda Travel Guide

History

The original inhabitants of Rwanda were the Twa, a Pygmy people who now make up only 1% of the population. While the Hutu and Tutsi are often considered to be two separate ethnic groups, scholars point out that they speak the same language, have a history of intermarriage, and share many cultural characteristics. Traditionally, the differences between the two groups were occupational rather than ethnic. Agricultural people were considered Hutu, while the cattle-owning elite were identified as Tutsi. Supposedly Tutsi were tall and thin, while Hutu were short and square, but it is often impossible to tell one from the other. The 1933 requirement by the Belgians that everyone carry an identity card indicating tribal ethnicity as Tutsi or Hutu enhanced the distinction. Since independence, repeated violence in both Rwanda and Burundi has increased ethnic differentiation between the groups.

Rwanda, which became a part of German East Africa in 1890, was first visited by European explorers in 1854. During World War I, it was occupied in 1916 by Belgian troops. After the war, it became a Belgian League of Nations mandate, along with Burundi, under the name of Ruanda-Urundi. The mandate was made a UN trust territory in 1946. Until the Belgian Congo achieved independence in 1960, Rwanda-Urundi was administered as part of that colony. Belgium at first maintained Tutsi dominance but eventually encouraged power sharing between Hutu and Tutsi. Ethnic tensions led to civil war, forcing many Tutsi into exile. When Rwanda became the independent nation of Rwanda on July 1, 1962, it was under Hutu rule.

The Rwanda Genocide

In Oct. 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Tutsi rebels in exile in Uganda, invaded the Hutu-led Rwandan government, sparking off what was to become one of the worst genocide massacres of the century. As the fighting raged peace talks were engineered in Arusha that culminated in the signing of a peace accord between the rebels and the Government Peace accords were signed in Aug. 1993, calling for a coalition government. But after the downing of a plane in April 1994 that killed the presidents of both Rwanda and Burundi, deep-seated ethnic violence erupted. To-date there is no certainty about who shot down the plane but one school of thought is that it was Hutu extremists who were against the Hutu-Tutsi power-sharing plan endorsed by President JuvénalHabyarimana, a Hutu moderate.

The presidential guard began murdering Tutsi opposition leaders, and soon policemen and soldiers turned against the entire Tutsi population. In 100 days, beginning in April 1994, the Hutu rampaged through the country and slaughtered an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and their moderate Hutu sympathizers. 30,000-member militia groups, the Interahamwe, led much of the murderous spree, and were joined by the ordinary Hutu who were mobilized through radio propaganda. Although the genocidal slaughter seemed a spontaneous eruption of hatred, it has in fact been shown to have been carefully orchestrated by the Hutu government. This became known as 'Rwanda Genocide’ and it is still what most people think when they hear or read about ‘Rwanda’. 

Rwanda Population

According to the population projections, it is estimated that the total population of Rwanda in 2012 was around 11,033,141. Rwanda's population density, even after the 1994 genocide, is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa at 230/km² (590/sq mi). This country has few villages, and nearly every family lives in a self-contained compound on a hillside. The urban concentrations are grouped around administrative centers. Over half of the adult population is literate, but no more than 5% have received secondary education.

Religion in Rwanda

The most recent statistics on religion in Rwanda were published by the US Government in 2013, yet the source information dates back to the national Census of 2002, which reports that: 56.9% of the Rwanda's population is Roman Catholic, 26% is Protestant, 11.1% is Seventh–day Adventist, 4.6% is Muslim (mainly Sunni), 1.7% claims no religious affiliation, and 0.1% practices traditional indigenous beliefs. There is also a small population of Baha'is. There has been a proliferation of small, usually Christian-linked schismatic religious groups since the 1994 genocide, as well as substantial conversion to Islam.

 Time in Rwanda

There is no time difference between winter and summer months in Rwanda. It is always two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2) – Rwanda is in Central Africa Time Zone (CAT). Kigali is 6 hours ahead of Washington D.C., 1 hour ahead of London - UK and 8 hours behind Sydney, Australia.

Travel Tips on Rwanda

Getting to Rwanda

The main airport in Kigali is the Kanombe International Airport. It is located 10 km east of the Kigali centre. Kigali currently receives direct flights from Nairobi, Entebbe, Bujambura, Addis Ababa, Kilimanjaro, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dar es Salaam, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Juba, Lagos and Dubai. It is also possible to take a bus from neighboring countries.

 Getting around Rwanda

Short distances within cities can be travelled either on foot or by taxi-velo (bicycle taxi). These are relatively inexpensive. Motorcycle taxis (taxi moto) are the most popular in Kigali. These taxis can be identified by their jerseys and they always have an extra helmet. Most drivers speak Basic English or French. Laws require moto-bikes to use helmets, and Rwandans abide by this.

Taxis are common and can be found at taxi stands in Kigali and provinces and they have specific bus stops. One may hire a special taxi by calling them or if at any hotel, reception can call a recommended driver for you. These are more expensive than motorcycle taxis and other public buses.

 “Matatus” are the white with green or yellow minibuses that travel across the country. Rwanda has a good local transportation system for inter-region connectivity, good road system, and has plenty of well maintained and modern minibuses. Cars and drivers can be hired from Kigali, and most of the roads are well maintained. To make your trip more interesting, if considering driving from Kigali to other provinces of Rwanda, e.g. along lake Kivu, it is recommended that you get a 4x4 and travel with someone who knows the area or use the public transport (Matatus) as from the regional cars parking at Nyabugogo, each 30 minutes there are buses from different transport agencies linking Kigali to other cities of the country. Back country driving is perfect for anyone with a sense of adventure. Be sure to advise your clients to get a 4x4, good maps, and a working phone before leaving

 Rwanda Entry Visas

All people wishing to enter Rwanda must possess a valid passport or other internationally recognized travel documents, which, in principle, contains a visa corresponding to his/her purpose of entry into Rwanda obtained in advance from the nearest Rwandan embassy abroad. Currently (Oct 2014) only USA and UK passports get free visa upon arrival –for a stay of up to 90 days. Citizens of these two countries do not need to purchase a visa when travelling to Rwanda; passports are just stamped on arrival. Rwanda visas are easily obtainable on arrival at all entry points but you can as well apply online. We however recommend that you apply for the visa three months in advance. There is also a tourist visa that has been introduced for the three East African countries of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Money

Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (Rwf). It is best to arrive in Rwanda with US dollars or Euros in cash, which can be exchanged either at the airport or at any FOREX bureau or bank. Banque de Kigalioffers cash advances on credit cards and also accepts travelers’ cheques, which is not possible in the provinces.There are ATMs throughout Kigali that are accessible to visitors.Credit cards are accepted in some up-market restaurants and hotels, but it is best to confirm prior to ordering.Bureaux de Change are mostly located in Kigali and offer slightly better exchange rates than most banks. All banks and most Bureauxde Change are closed on Sundays, and on the last Saturday of every month until 11:00 am for the national day of community work, “UMUGANDA”.

Tipping Culture

It is customary to tip for service in restaurants and bars. A tip of 5% is very acceptable and a tip of 20% is very generous. It is also customary to tip your driver/guide at the end of a safari or hike, as well as the cook and/or porter that may accompany to you.

Tipping is not at any fixed amount and may depend on personal wish.

Using Internet

Wifi is available in most hotels, free of charge. It is quite easy to find Cafés in Kigali with wifi, but it is not always guaranteed so it is best to check beforehand if you are planning on using internet. The lodges in the countryside are also equipped with wifi, however, cafés and restaurants outside of Kigali generally do not.

Phone and SIM Cards

Pay as you go SIM cards and phones are available in most major retailers around Kigali. There are also multiple phone registration kiosks and stands around the city where you may purchase and register SIM cards. 

Food in Rwanda

Typical Rwandan meal consists of mostly starchy food – such as rice, sweet potatoes, corn, millet, cassava, yams cooked with beans, peas. Also flour cooked into porridge - and fresh fruit, including avocados, mangos and papayas. Food in Rwanda varies from mediocre to good. Umutsima (Cassava and corn), isombe (cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach) and mizuzu (fried plantains) are some of Rwanda's traditional dishes. Drinks include local beer and ikigage, a locally brewed beer made from sorghum. Fresh fruit and the Belgian-inspired cuisine are usually good.

Health in Rwanda

There are medical facilities of Western standards in Kigali; elsewhere facilities are rudimentary. It is advisable to be up-to-date on vaccinations for typhoid, tetanus, polio and diphtheria. Travellers are advised to have the Havrix vaccine to guard against infection by hepatitis A and a yellow fever certificate is usually required for entry into Rwanda. Malaria is widespread throughout lowland Rwanda, so malaria precautions are generally essential. HIV infection rates are high in Rwanda and visitors are advised to be cautious.

Language in Rwanda

The main language spoken in Rwanda is Kinyarwanda (a Bantu language, also known as 'Rwanda' or 'Ruanda'). French is widespread and English is also spoken by many people who are in contact with visitors.

 Weather and climate in Rwanda

Rwanda presents visitors with a pleasant tropical highland climate, although rainfall is not uncommon. There are two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible.

Average daytime temperature is around 24°C, except in the higher mountains, which take up a lot of the country, where the range is 10°C to 15°C. Rwanda can be visited at any time of year. The dry season from mid-May to mid-October is easier for tracking mountain gorillas, but the endless hills are barren, a contrast to the verdant greens of the wet season. Peak season for gorilla tracking is July and August; travelling outside this time means it is easier to arrange a permit.

It rains more frequently and heavily in the northeast, where the volcanoes are covered by rainforest. The summit of Karisimbi (4507m), the highest peak in Rwanda, is often covered with sleet or snow.