4 Days Best of Rwanda from US$4,430.-pp plus permits

Rwanda is an amazingly beautiful country and success story of Africa. Known as the “Land of Thousand Hills”, it features mostly highlands and hills at altitudes from close to 4,000 feet to 14,786 feet of Mt. Karisimbi in the northwest. Due to its elevation, Rwanda’s climate is comfortable and temperate year round. The country is one of the cleanest in Africa with good infrastructure, shiny new buildings and a government the locals say isn’t corrupt. Many streets in Kigali’s city center are paved, complete with boulevards lined with grass and palm trees. Rwanda looks prosperous compared to neighbouring countries. More importantly, with the genocide behind them, there is optimism, peace and hope among the people who smile and sometimes hold hands in public to show unity, no matter what gender.

Rwanda’s tourism is best known for it’s gorilla trekking. It’s hard to find the words to describe the sensation of looking into the eyes of a wild mountain gorilla standing so close you could touch it (but of course you won’t to avoid transmitting diseases). It’s a “bucket-list” experience not to be missed and Rwanda is a good place for doing it. Another fantastic primate-viewing area as well as a birders hotspot is Nyungwe Forst National Park.

Currency 
Local currency: Rwandan Franc 
Symbol: R₣ 
ISO code: RWF 
Subunit: Centime (1/100 of a Franc) 
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 francs 
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 francs 

Banking 
Card Transactions: Widely accepted in major cities 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited 
Diner’s club: No 

Banking Hours: Weekdays: 08:00 – 17:00 
Public Holidays: Closed 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: RwandAir 
International Airports: Kigali International Airport 
Domestic Airports: None 

Road: 
Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes, primarily in urban areas 
Gravel roads: Yes, common in rural areas 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: Limited, primarily on lakes 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: Limited 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, wash thoroughly 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes, ensure it is well cooked 
Street food: Yes, choose hygienic vendors 

Local cuisine: 
Rwandan cuisine features dishes like "Ugali" (cornmeal staple), "Isombe" (cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach), and "Brochettes" (grilled meat skewers). Staple ingredients include bananas, plantains, pulses, sweet potatoes, and beans, often cooked with a blend of vegetables and meat. 

Drinks: 
Local banana wine and sorghum beer are traditional drinks. 

Tipping: Not customary but appreciated, usually around 5-10% in tourist areas. 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging 1200 mm 
Average temperature: 21°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 27°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 25°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Best time to visit: 
The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry seasons from June to September and from December to February, which are ideal for trekking and wildlife viewing, especially for seeing mountain gorillas. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Recommended during the rainy seasons 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes 
Accommodation options: Yes, with good connectivity 
Restaurants: Yes, in major cities 
Cafes: Yes, in major cities 
Shopping malls: Yes, in major cities 
Public parks: Yes 
Libraries: Yes