Rwanda Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
To view images fullscreen please turn device
Overview
Tiny Rwanda lies encircled amongst the landscapes of the African Great Lakes region of Central and eastern Africa. Once known as ‘Le Pays des Milles Collines’ (the land of a thousand hills), its lush landscapes are dominated by rolling hills and verdant plantations of tea and coffee. To the north-west lie the towering volcanic peaks of the Volcanoes National Park, home to a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and Rwanda’s big draw card.
But this ...
Tiny Rwanda lies encircled amongst the landscapes of the African Great Lakes region of Central and eastern Africa. Once known as ‘Le Pays des Milles Collines’ (the land of a thousand hills), its lush landscapes are dominated by rolling hills and verdant plantations of tea and coffee. To the north-west lie the towering volcanic peaks of the Volcanoes National Park, home to a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and Rwanda’s big draw card.
But this stunning country has more than just volcanoes and gorillas to offer. Its picturesque Parc National Nyungwe has the most extensive montane rainforest in the region, whilst the pristine shorelines and untouched islands Lake Kivu are teeming with birdlife. Since the tragic genocide of 1994 thrust Rwanda into the public eye, the country has taken great strides towards recovering its pride and identity, striving to make the country a safe and thriving destination for tourists. The events of the recent past are never far from people’s minds though, and tributes to the dead in the form of memorials and museums are a constant reminder for generations to come. But visitors to this resilient and remarkable country will find an African success story, filled with scenic and cultural beauty that will leave a refreshingly optimistic view of hope for the future.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Rwanda with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
Discover more
WHEN TO GO
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for all visitors to Rwanda and you will need to take your vaccination certificate with you. Without it you may well be denied entry to the countries. We suggest you should also be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present throughout Rwanda. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Rwanda the official unit of currency is the Rwandan Franc.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Please note that some areas we travel through have strong Muslim influences and people may be offended by revealing clothing. You should dress with respect for local sensibilities on this tour.
Language & Religion
Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages of Rwanda. Due to the strained relationship between Rwanda and France following the genocide in the 1990’s Rwanda has moved more towards using English instead of French. Swahili is spoken by some of the population. In Rwanda the vast majority of the population is Christian with a small number of people following traditional beliefs and Islam.
Time
Rwanda is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drinks
In Rwanda the staple foods are maize, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, okra, plantains, tomatoes, onions and a variety of nuts.
Breakfast will usually be continental style, with sliced bread/rolls with cheese, ham/salami and jam plus coffee/tea. Lunch and dinner consist mainly of local specialties consisting of meat, poultry, or fish with vegetables, rice, potatoes or 'Foufou', a local side dish made of the manioc plant.
In Rwanda some of the population drink Ikigage, an alcoholic beverage made from dry sorghum and also Ubuki which is made from fermented honey.