Rwanda is a landlocked country located in East Central Africa. It is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) and Lake Kivu to the west. The country is divided into six topographical regions from west to east. (1.) The Great Rift Valley and Lake Kivu. (2.) The volcanic Virunga Mountains and the high lava plains of the northwest. (3.) The Condo-Nile Divide and the Central Tablelands east of the mountains. (4.) The eastern and southeastern savannahs and swamps. (5.) The central plain and (6.) the arid desert as the southeastern area. The nine largest lakes in the country are Ruhondo, Muhazi, Mugasera, Ihema, Rwanye, Burera, Rugwero, Cyohoha and Kivu, while the main rivers are Kagera, Ruzizi and Nyabarongo with their tributaries. Just a few years after the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has become a peaceful and worthwhile ecotourism destination despite what some people still believe: the country has been rebuilt and is abuzz with activity, the people are cheerful and friendly, roads are in good condition and safe. …
Local culture:
The locals are friendly and welcoming, although many rural areas do not have running water, and a traditional way of life is followed in most areas. He understands that the genocide is part of recent history, in 1994, and is still fresh in everyone’s memory, so avoid the subject.
The main ethnic group are the Hutu who represent 90% of the population, followed by the Tutsi who represent 9%. The smallest ethnic group are the Twa, who are pygmies and make up 1% of the population. Foreign ethnic groups include Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs, and Belgians.
RELIGION
The Christian religions are a powerful force in Rwanda today, as evidenced by the large number of churches active throughout the country. Roman Catholicism leads the field with 65% adherence, followed by Protestantism with 9%. Some evangelical sects are now gaining ground. There is a small Muslim population of 1%, leaving 25% followers of minority and traditional beliefs, some of which may have absorbed traces of Christianity.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Good Friday and Easter Monday, which fall on variable dates, are recognized in Rwanda. Other holidays are:
January 1 (New Year’s Day); February 1 (Day of National Heroes); April 7 (Genocide Remembrance Day); May 1 (Labor Day); July 4 (National Liberation Day); August 15 (Assumption Day); October 1 (Patriotism Day); December 25 (Christmas Day) and December 26 (Boxing Day).
CASH ON HAND
Credit cards have limited acceptance, and although traveler’s checks and currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange houses, it is advisable to have a supply of currency on hand, as most businesses only accept cash.
MONEY
The monetary unit is the Rwandan franc. The US dollar is the preferred hard currency. It may be impossible to cash traveler’s checks outside the capital. Credit cards are generally only accepted at major Kigali hotels.
WHEN TO VISIT
May through November is generally the best time to visit, avoiding the long humid rainy seasons. National Day, on July 1, and the Harvest Festival, on August 1, are the two most important festivals in both cities and rural towns.
CLIMATE
A combination of tropical location and high altitude ensures that most of Rwanda has a temperate climate throughout the year. Temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees Celsius during the day or below 15 degrees Celsius at night throughout the year. The exceptions are the cold upper slopes of the Virunga Mountains and the warm lowland Tanzanian border area protected in Akagera National Park. Throughout the country, seasonal temperature variations are relatively insignificant. Most of the country receives more than 1,000 mm of precipitation per year, with the driest months being July through September and the rainiest February through May.
FOOD:
Local Rwandan cuisine is based on local staples, such as fish, plantains, and rice or cassava. Some dishes are Isombe, finely crushed leaves of the cassava plant, often served with dried fish, bugali, cassava plant root ground into flour and cooked with water into a porridge, and plantain is brewed in some regions.
TIPS:
Follow the standard tipping rules and add a 10% tip for good service. Taxi fares do not require an additional tip.
COMMUNICATIONS
Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network that covers almost the entire country.
International phone calls can be easily made. SIM cards suitable for the network are available everywhere, even in remote villages, and cell phones can be bought or rented at all major shops in Kigali. Most cities of any size will have several internet cafes and computer centers.
MOVE
Rwanda has arguably the best roads in East Africa. Most visitors who have booked through a tour company will have good private vehicles, usually 4x4s. All major centers are connected with local and luxury bus services. Charter flight services are available anywhere in the country.
GET THERE
All international flights arriving in Kigali are with SN Brussels, Kenya Airways Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and Rwandair Express.
All international flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, 10 km from the center of Kigali.
There are two daily flights from Nairobi, two a week direct from Brussels and two a week from Johannesburg.
PASSPORT AND VISAS
A valid passport is required. Visas, required by all visitors except citizens of the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong, cost USD 60 and can be purchased on arrival. .