Ruanda

Sleep

thumb|Ubumwe Grande Hotel

Kigali has a wide range of accommodation, from international chains to budget guesthouses. At the top end, the Kigali Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Mövenpick Hotel Kigali, and The Retreat by Heaven offer international standard rooms. The Hotel des Mille Collines and Chez Lando are long established Kigali favourites (though film buffs should note that Hotel Rwanda was filmed in South Africa, not at the Mille Collines).

Mid-range hotels and boutique guesthouses are plentiful in neighbourhoods like Kimihurura, Kacyiru, and Remera, typically costing US$50–100 per night.

Budget accommodation is available from around US$15–30 for a basic but clean room. Hostels and guesthouses can be found across the city. Airbnb is also widely used in Kigali.

Outside Kigali, accommodation options are more limited. The national park areas (Musanze for gorilla trekking, Huye for the south, and the Lake Kivu towns) have a mix of lodges and guesthouses. Lodges near Volcanoes National Park tend to be at the higher end, catering to gorilla trekking visitors. Along Lake Kivu, there are options at every budget level.

Accommodation across Rwanda is generally more expensive than neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania.

Stay safe

thumb|Giraffes in Akagera National Park

Rwanda is generally a safe country for visitors. It ranks among the safest in Africa according to both the Gallup Global Safety Report and the Numbeo Safety Index. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, and Kigali is safe to walk around at night in most neighbourhoods, with main roads well lit.

The possible exceptions are certain places along the Congolese and Burundian borders, where the security situation can change. Gisenyi and Kibuye are considered safe, but check travel advisories and local sources before travelling to border areas. Gorilla trekking near the DRC border is generally considered safe due to the continuous Rwandan security presence.

Visitors should follow typical precautions: avoid flaunting expensive jewellery, keep a close eye on wallets and bags in crowded markets and bus stations. The Rwandan police maintain a visible presence throughout the country. If you need assistance, dial 112.

Begging and aggressive panhandling is fairly rare. Usually a firm but polite "no thank you" is enough to be left alone. Raising your voice even slightly will almost certainly end the conversation.

When travelling by bus or car in the countryside, expect to pass through several police checkpoints. These are routine checks of vehicle registration and insurance, not passenger IDs. However, it is still wise to carry your passport (or a copy) with you at all times.

Photography near certain high-level government buildings su…

Stay healthy

Despite being close to the equator, Rwanda's high altitude (Kigali sits at around 1,500 m) keeps the climate temperate rather than tropical hot. Precautions should still be taken against sunburn due to the strong equatorial sun, and dehydration when hiking at higher elevations. Sunscreen may be difficult to find outside of larger supermarkets and pharmacies; fair skinned visitors should bring their own.

Tap water is not drinkable. Bottled water is widely available for around FRw500–1,000. Pay attention when purchasing bottled water from smaller kiosks, as they may "recycle" old bottles by filling them with tap water. Always make sure the seal around the bottle cap is unbroken. Avoid drinks with ice, as the ice is almost certainly made from tap water.

Pharmacies stocked with over-the-counter medications, Band-Aids, etc. are found throughout the country. The staff are well-trained, though English may not be spoken to a high proficiency. Bring your own supplies of any specialist or prescription medication.

If you do need medical attention, Kigali has decent facilities. King Faisal Hospital in Kacyiru (+250 788 123 200, or dial 3939 locally) is the main referral hospital, and CHUK ( University Teaching Hospital of Kigali) is in the city centre. Outside Kigali, district hospitals exist in major towns but are more basic. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.

Malaria risk in Kigali is low thanks to the altitude, but increases in lower lying area…

Respect

thumb|Skulls in Nyamata Memorial Site Rwanda is a very conservative society, and most people dress modestly, especially women. Wearing shorts or tight skirts and skimpy tops is likely to get you stared at twice as much as normal.

It is unusual for a couple to make public displays of affection, even though many men walk hand in hand with male friends. Also, Rwandans will generally never eat or drink in public, apart from restaurants. Rwandan women are rarely seen smoking in public or out in bars unaccompanied.

Although there is no smoking ban in most public places like bars and restaurants, generally it's not encouraged. Sometimes people may complain of being disturbed with people's smoking.

Rwandans are very private, reserved people and loud public confrontations (shouting matches) or obvious displays of emotion (such as crying) are also frowned upon. If you feel you are being overcharged by a trader, quietly persisting with the negotiation (or your complaint!) is likely to produce results much faster than an angry outburst.

It is also impolite to make eye contact with an elder.

Rwanda is still recovering from a civil war and genocide in which over 800,000 people, perhaps a million, mostly Tutsi, were killed. Many Rwandans lost relatives and friends. Remember to be sensitive to this sad fact when dealing with Rwandans. Most people today are trying to forget the tribal divisions and would rather be referred to as Rwandans than Hutu or Tutsi. It is considered impolite to a…