Juts like traveling to any other new destination, traveling to Rwanda especially for the first time require essential tips to ensure safe and enjoyable stay in the land of a thousands hills. Rwanda has widely been known for receiving the highest number of travelers coming for gorilla trekking, meetings, conferences, chimpanzee trekking, Dian Fossey hike, canopy walk, visiting friends and hiking Mt karisimbi among others. Every day, thousands of traveler’s check-in at Kigali international airport to enjoy the beautiful sceneries and discover all hidden treasures which makes Rwanda an exceptional tourism destination. Despite its dark past, the country has raised from the ashes of 1994 genocide into a leading tourism destination for wildlife, meetings and conferences. The essential travel tips to Rwanda include among others:
How to get around
Fortunately Rwanda is presently the most accessible African country connected with most European and Asian countries. Rwanda air’s direct flights from the United Kingdom, London and other West African countries make it for travelers to fly into Rwanda with no hustling. On reaching Kigali, there are various airport pick up taxis and other special car hires which transfer you to any destination you are going to, a lodge, hotel or national park at fair prices. Also, there are public Matatus connecting to different places. On boarding a matatu, you join other 13 people t make it full and people are dropped at different location. The price paid depends on the length of the distance and the travelers bargaining power. You therefore book a taxi talking the direction you are taking. For budget travelers, public transport is the best option since they are quite cheap compared to private car hires. If you have a driving permit, you can hire a car for any days you want and return it to the owner at6 the end of your safari.
Adhere to the laws
As soon as you land into Kigali, ensure to follow the laws that govern the country. Consider the dos and don’ts to avoid any collision with the government bodies especially the police. Plastic bags and bottles are not allowed any where in the Rwanda both in the city, national parks and all other tourism spots all over the country. Rwanda is widely known as the most clean and organized country which popularity you must maintain. Driving in Rwanda is done on the right remembering to follow traffic lights. Driving speed is 50 kilometers per hour and overtaking is a criminal offense.
Learn some local language
Though English has been taught and can be spoken in Rwanda, Kinyarwanda and French are the most spoken languages in Rwanda. This means that if you want a clear conversation with any Rwanda citizen, try to learn some Kinyarwanda for easy communication in markets, shops, streets and public transport. You may not be fluent with local language but you should know simple things like greetings and asking for directions.
Carry local currency (Rwanda francs)
For easy transactions in markets, taxis and shopping malls, travelers are reminded to carry some Rwanda francs. Local currency is also preferred in tipping during gorilla trekking since porters and local guides cannot easily access forex bureaus to exchange the money. A traveler who tips in Rwanda francs is considered the best. Although big lodges accept payment in dollars, small service providers in restaurants do not accept payments in dollars. In some places, credit cards can be used to make payments but visa cards are not allowed in most if not all places in Rwanda.
Be responsible for your safety
Much as peace has been restored in Rwanda, travelers are reminded of pick pocketing and robbers especially in the late night hours. Travelers are therefore reminded to be careful and guard their gadgets like cameras and phones at night. Travelers must by all ways avoid travelling at night with lots of hard money and expensive gadgets can be tempting to robbers.
Be part of Rwanda traditions and culture
When you are in Rwanda, endeavour to take part in country’s traditions and culture. Umuganda is one of Rwanda’s unique traditions which involve general cleanness of the all streets, and renovation of all broken structures in Rwanda. Umuganda is done every last Saturday of the month and all citizens from the president to a local person willing take part in cleaning. During this activity, all businesses are put on halt even travelers on safaris are stopped on the way till the end of the activity at 12:00pm. Any traveler who takes part in the activity shows love and respect for the local culture.
When to visit Rwanda
Having been blessed with conducive climate, Rwanda can be visited all year round with no difficulty. However if you are travelling for safaris, dry season in the months of June, July, august, September, October, December and January are the best time to visit Rwanda for activities. Most activities especially gorilla trekking and nature walks among others become quite difficult with middy slippery and muddy grounds. However the rainy season in the months of the March, April, and November call for discounts on rom rates and transport costs with fewer crowds in national parks and other tourism spots all over Rwanda.
Support the local people
If possible, support the local people and help in improving their standards of living. Most of Rwanda people depend on agriculture for a livelihood yet with limited land. Expect to meet children and women on the streets begging for money and others selling some few things like crafts to earn a living. If you are going for gorilla trekking, tipping a porter is an indirect support for a local livelihood. This indicates that support can be given in different ways.
Mind your business
Once you reach Rwanda, you are reminded to mean your business. Focus on what took you the country whether its wildlife viewing, conferences, meetings and gorilla trekking without necessarily involving yourself in other things that do not concern you. Having gone through a horrific past, the government of Rwanda is so sensitive to new people who come into the country. Avoid taking anyhow about the government and any other conversation that can raise suspensions. Also, dealing in unclear businesses that involve a lot of money is a risk in Rwanda. Everyone in Rwanda is a spy to another and you should be careful with which ever people you meet and talk to about anything. Juts travel, mind your business and leave the country in peace.
In conclusion, book a safari to Rwanda, visit all attractions and do all activities, enjoy your meetings/conferences but endeavor to follow the above given travel tips to ensure a memorable stay in the land of a thousand hills.
