Rwanda

Understand

Rwanda has come a long way since the civil war and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi devastated this small country. Shake off your memories of tragic history and expect a warm and friendly welcome to the beautiful country now that this country is modernizing. It is a fast-growing country in Africa in terms of a lot of categories. It is sometimes called "The Singapore of Africa", due to both countries' similarities in geography, politics and modern history.

History Hunter gatherers settled the territory in the stone and iron ages, followed later by Bantu peoples. The population coalesced first into clans and then into kingdoms. The Kingdom of Rwanda dominated from the mid-eighteenth century, with the Tutsi kings conquering others militarily and centralising power. The Tutsi and the Hutu shared a common language, religion and culture, and originally referred to different social classes, though Europeans would later introduce the concept of them being different ethnic groups during the colonial era.

Germany colonized Rwanda in 1884 as part of German East Africa, followed by Belgium, which annexed it in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations ruled through the kings and perpetuated a pro-Tutsi divide-and-rule policy. The Hutu population revolted in 1959, who massacred numerous Tutsi, displaced more, and ultimately established an independent, Hutu-dominated state in 1962. The Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) launched a civil war in 1990. The rebels were led by Paul Kagame, a refugee fled to Uganda and proved his ability in overthrowing Uganda's Idi Amin regime. When the Rwandan president was killed in an airliner crash in 1994, it ignited the Rwandan genocide. Hutu extremists killed an estimated 500,000 to 1 million Tutsi and moderate Hutu. The RPF ended

See

Memorials The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali is the country's main memorial to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Over 250,000 people are buried here. The museum is deeply moving and an essential visit for understanding Rwanda's recent history. Since 2023, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the memorials at Nyamata, Murambi, and Bisesero. Audio guides are available. Entry is free (donations welcome). The Nyamata Genocide Memorial, in the town of Nyamata, 40 minutes south of Kigali, is in a church where over 10,000 people were killed during the genocide. The Ntarama Genocide Memorial, 20 minutes north of Nyamata, is another former church that now serves as a memorial. Ntarama also has a peaceful memorial garden and wall of names. The Nyanza Genocide Memorial, near Kigali, is the site of four mass graves holding the remains of thousands of Tutsi who were killed after the UN guards protecting them were withdrawn.

Museums

The Ethnographic Museum (formerly National Museum of Rwanda), in Huye, houses one of the finest ethnographic and archaeological collections in East Africa

Getting there

Visa requirements A passport is required to enter Rwanda, though a certificate of vaccination is not required unless you are coming from a yellow fever-endemic country. African Union citizens can enter Rwanda visa free for 30 days. Citizens of Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda can stay for up to 6 months, and Kenyan and Ugandan citizens may use a national ID card in lieu of a passport. A number of non-African countries also have visa free or visa on arrival arrangements with Rwanda. Citizens of Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Mauritius, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, and Singapore receive 90 days free of charge on arrival. Citizens of Commonwealth and La Francophonie member countries receive a free visa on arrival for 30 days. Visitors from all other countries are eligible for a visa on arrival for US$50 (as of Feb 2024), payable in cash or by credit card. COMESA country nationals receive visas valid for 90 days; other visitors are granted 30 days. The East African Tourist visa (US$100 as of Feb 2024) allows for multiple entry travel between Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda over a 90-day period. Exiting any of these three countries will invalidate the visa even if the 90-day period has not expired. Visa applications may also be made online through IremboGov, the Rwandan government's e-services portal. Processing typically takes a few days, after which you'll receive an approval email to present at the border or airport.

By plane Kigali International Airport (KGL IATA) is the country's main international gateway, served by around 10 airlines flying to 25 destinations. The national carrier RwandAir operates the majority of routes, with direct flights across Africa,

Getting around

On foot Despite the hills, Kigali is a pleasant city to walk around. Many main roads have sidewalks and are well lit at night, making walking safe even after dark in most neighbourhoods. The Imbuga City Walk (car free zone) in the city centre is a pedestrianised area with cycling friendly pavements, green spaces, benches, a kids' playground, and free Wi-Fi. Kigali also holds Car Free Sundays, when certain roads are closed to traffic for walking, cycling, and exercise. Be prepared for steep climbs between neighbourhoods; the hills are real. Outside Kigali, walking is common and often the main way people get between villages. Sidewalks are rare outside of urban centres, so expect to walk along the road. The terrain is hilly everywhere, so plan accordingly.

Motos

Motorcycle taxis (taxi-moto) are the fastest and most popular way to get around towns in Rwanda, especially in Kigali. Drivers are everywhere; if you look like a foreigner and are walking on a main road, they will come to you. Fares are negotiated before the ride and paid via mobile money. Helmets are mandatory and drivers carry a spare for passengers. Most drivers speak only basic English or French, if any.

Ride hailing Two main ride hailing apps operate in Kigali:

Move, operated by Volkswagen. All cars are VW models, with both sedans and vans available. Rides can be booked in advance. Payment by cash, credit card, or mobile money. Yego, a Rwandan app offering both cab and moto rides. Available on iOS and Android, or call 9191 to book. Payment by cash or mobile money. Both work similarly to Uber and are recommended over hailing taxis on the street, especially for visitors unfamiliar with local pricing.

Taxis Regular taxis are available at taxi stations and marked bus stops but are less common than ri