Rwanda travel tips & information
Rwanda travel tips & information
In the heart of Africa is the small country of Rwanda, which is rightly known as the "land of a thousand hills" due to its hilly landscape. Lush green tea plantations and cultivated hills dot the landscape, and driving along the well-maintained roads, you get the feeling of being in New Zealand or Switzerland rather. Made famous by Dian Fossey and the Mountain Gorillas, the country fought its way back to being one of the most progressive countries in Africa after a severe setback in 1994. Since then, the country's economy and especially tourism have been booming. Thanks to the unique landscape, the biodiversity, such as the rare mountain gorillas and the hospitable people.
Below you will find helpful travel tips and information about Rwanda. Where exactly is Rwanda located, when is the best time to travel and which sights you should not miss? All this and much more we will answer you here on this page.
Where is Rwanda located?
Rwanda is located in East Africa and is bordered by four countries. It borders Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
10 quick facts about Rwanda
1# Location
Rwanda is a landlocked East African country bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2# Population
Rwanda is considered one of the most densely populated countries in Africa and has a population of about 12 million.
3# Language
Rwanda has four official languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili
4# Women
Since the adoption of the 2003 constitution, at least 30% of seats in parliaments and political bodies must be held by women. In fact, the percentage of women in the Rwandan parliament is over 60%, which is one of the highest values worldwide.
5# Volcanoes
Rwanda has a total of five volcanoes that are part of the Virunga Massif, which straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is an important UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sanctuary for mountain gorillas.
6# Culture
Rwanda has a rich cultural history marked by traditional music, dances and handicrafts. The Intore dancers, a traditional dance group, are internationally known.
7# Kigali
The capital of Rwanda is Kigali. Since 2015, Kigali has been considered the cleanest capital in Africa.
8# Economy
The Rwandan economy has experienced remarkable growth in recent years and has become one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
9# History
During the 1994 genocide, an estimated 800,000 people, mostly Tutsi, were killed in about 100 days. This event had a profound impact on the country and its history.
10# Environmental Protection
Plastic bag ban: In 2008, Rwanda became one of the first countries in the world to introduce a nationwide ban on plastic bags. The ban covers the production, import, sale and use of plastic bags.
Rwanda's National Parks
The small East African landlocked country Rwanda has a lot to offer in terms of landscape. Three national parks invite you to get to know the nature and biodiversity of the country and should not be missing on any Rwanda trip.
Travel tips for your Rwanda trip
It is one of the smallest countries on the African mainland and is enclosed by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to its hilly landscape, Rwanda is also known as the "land of a thousand hills" and lies at an average altitude of 1,500 meters.
General information for your trip to Rwanda
Thanks to the relatively small size of Rwanda, you can already experience many highlights even within one week. Many travellers come from afar to get a glimpse of the magnificent Throwing Mountain Gorillas. Rwanda, however, is much more than gorilla trekking. Nearly 30 years after the genocide, it is now arguably one of the most progressive countries in Africa. It was one of the first countries to ban plastic bags, and its capital, Kigali, is one of the cleanest cities in Africa.