Having been there with my young family, I think Rwanda is an exciting travel destination!
If you’re keen to travel to a country which none of your friends have likely been to, but that offers stability and comfort, then Rwanda is a no-brainer. With fewer of the brands and companies than you’re probably used to seeing (as of 2023 there are no MacDonalds!), it feels like you’re going to a very far off land. However, one that has had a lot of investment, time and thought put into it. It’s a fabulous place to bring your family, and there is plenty to keep kids of all ages happy! A very elevated country with plenty of undulation, it is quite unsurprisingly known as the Land of a Thousand Hills. The capital city of Kigali matches the country well in this regard, with rolling hills and lots of great views from all over.
If you are a nature lover then you will be very satisfied with the national parks here. There are several of them around the country, such as Volcanoes National Park, home to a large population of Mountain Gorillas, and Akagera National Park, home to the Big 5 safari animals, amongst many others. By the way, did you know the giraffe is not considered Big 5 (I did not)?
What language do they speak in Rwanda?
Rwanda is a country of many languages! The common ones you’ll find in Rwanda are the national language, Kinyarwanda, spoken by almost everyone, as well as English, and French. Swahili is an official language too. You will get by with English in the bigger urban centres and tourist areas with absolutely no trouble. And the alphabet is the regular latin one we’re familiar with in the west!
What currency does Rwanda use?
In Rwanda they use the Rwandan Franc. When I last checked the exchange rate in late 2023, 1USD would get you about 1,200RWF. Please note that its not a very stable currency so do check the current value.
I used my travel debit cards (Monzo and Revolut) while I was there. I also took money out of the ATMs using these cards. The cards were generally fine to use at most medium sized supermarkets and shops. However, some of the smaller places required cash so you’ll want to carry both. I didn’t see any businesses using Apple Pay yet when I was there in late 2023. You will therefore need to bring your card (and cash!) with you, rather than head out with just your phone.
Is Rwanda a good travel destination?
Yes indeed! The capital city, Kigali, is gorgeous and has been heavily invested in, with plenty of great bars and restaurants. You’ll find the tourist destinations around the country are similarly well looked after. The roads to get you to these great tourist attractions are typically very good. Some other destinations such as Lake Kivu (a very pretty lake on the western border of the country), may not have the greatest roads the whole way. Do ensure you have a good SUV to ensure that you can deal with any surprise road resurfacing. Taxis are easy enough to use in the city though I don’t recall any Uber-style apps. It’s more the traditional method of going to a taxi rank or calling the company and booking one. If you’re staying in a hotel of course the front desk can organise it for you.
It’s a pretty safe place, and I walked around to shops and restaurants in Kigali with my children and had no problems. We also drove around with no issues. There were plenty of child-friendly cafes, hotels with pools we could use for the day, and activity centres. All felt very secure and allowed us to relax. Of course, always trust your instincts and look out for yourself and your valuables.
The weather is an interesting mix. It’s tropical, and so it can get very hot and muggy, but because of its elevation, it does get chilly. Bring a jacket for the evenings. And bring a raincoat, and perhaps an umbrella, as when it rains it pours! Please also bring plenty of mosquito repellant. Then bring something to rub on the bites anyway. No matter what you do, the mosquitos will find you at least once.
If you’re up for an adventure in a beautiful green country (the rain has its benefits!) then yes, Rwanda is a fantastic travel destination!
What do I know about Rwanda?
I’ve visited the country twice, once in 2021 and again in 2023 with my family. Both times I was there for several weeks, staying with family who live there. Visit my About Me page to understand more about my perspective.
Check out my posts on Rwanda:
- My guide to having a successful Gorilla Trek in Rwanda
- How to enjoy a family safari at Rwanda’s Akagera Park
- Stay tuned for safari visits, beautiful Lake Kivu and some glorious restaurants and bars in Kigali!