Traveling Solo in Rwanda

For the last 7 years, Rwanda has been ranked as one of the safest countries to visit in the world. It has a low crime rate making it a safe travel destination for solo Travelers who would like to visit any part of the country. Though a small country, Rwanda is naturally beautiful and boasts of many amazing tourism sites. The tourism attractions in Rwanda range from wildlife, historical/cultural sites, beautiful hills, lakes, rivers and mountains just to mention a few. Solo Travelers can visit any of these amazing places and tourist attractions for an amazing time in Rwanda.

What about accommodation? Rwanda has a variety of accommodation facilities. The hotels in Rwanda include standard luxury hotels or Super Luxury lodges costing over $2500. There are also mid-range and more budget friendly hence offering Travelers a wide range of options. Travelers can opt to stay within the capital Kigali or somewhere out of the busy city in safari lodges. The lodges at the national parks in Rwanda are generally more expensive than those found in towns. Solo Travelers in Rwanda can book these accommodation facilities online or contact a trusted Tour operator in Rwanda. There is an interesting and related article about solo female travel in Rwanda.  You can also check out articles about what to pack for a safari in Rwanda. Let us now discuss some of the tourist attractions in Rwanda that every solo Traveler must know about.

Where to Visit as a Solo Traveler in Rwanda

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum: This is one of the many genocide memorial museums found in different parts of the country. These genocide memorial centers were put in place to remember the over 800,000 lives lost during the horrific Rwanda genocide of 1994. On visiting the museum in Kigali, tourists get to hear stories of what really happened before, during and after the 100 days of terror. Apart from hearing stories, tourists also see photos and video footage of what occurred during the genocide. The genocide memorial centers in Rwanda teach everyone that humanity should do everything possible to stop hatred and such mass killings.

The Kings Palace Museum: This is one of the cultural sites in Rwanda from where solo Travelers can get to know more about Rwanda’s past. The modern palace was once the residence of King Mutara II who received it as a gift from the Belgian government in the 20th century. When kingdoms were abolished in Rwanda, the Nyanza based palace was turned into a cultural museum. Those on a road trip while in Rwanda can go to the palace and view the old European and colonial style building with beautiful European-style furniture. The king loved cattle and thus one can also visit the milk huts and see the outstanding long horned Ankole Watusi cattle locally known as “inyambo”.

The Volcanoes National Park: This is one of the most visited places in Rwanda. Travelers who visit the volcanoes national park get to track mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. After finding the primates, they are allowed one hour with them. In that one hour, they can observe them closely, take photos and videos to share with family back home. Apart from gorilla trekking, Travelers at the volcanoes national park also get the chance to visit the famous Karisoke Research Center which was founded by the American primatologist known as Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey dedicated almost 20 years of her life studying and protecting the mountain gorillas. You can also climb up the mountains to visit her grave which is located next to a cemetery she had created for the gorillas under her care. Travelers who enjoy mountaineering activities can also hike the mountain ranges of Bisoke, Sabinyo, Karisimbi and others. Those who love cave exploration can spend time discovering the Musanze caves. Other interesting activities include visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village for the ultimate Rwanda cultural experience or visiting the newly built Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Lake Kivu: This is Rwanda’s largest fresh water lake and is where Travelers can go to in case they wish to spend quality time but in the peaceful environment. The lake is shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lake Kivu stands out because of the beautiful beaches, breath taking scenery and Islands. All these features make the lake excellent for photography. Apart from swimming, Travelers can also enjoy activities like boat safaris, kayaking, sport fishing and visiting the fishermen in the islands.

Akagera National Park: This is Rwanda’s largest and only savanna park covering an area of about 1,140 square kilometers. Akagera is comprised of extensive savanna grasslands and swamps which wild animals love. Tourists go to Akagera to enjoy game drives where they can see lions, hippos, elephants, zebras, birds and other animals. While in Akagera, Travelers also enjoy camping activities, boat cruises, nature walks or cultural visits. Akagera is arguably the best place to go for sport fishing in Rwanda. Sport fishing can be done in Lake Ihema and Shikani.

Kigali City: Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and should be the first place to tour while in Rwanda. The city has got large shopping malls, night clubs, high-end restaurants that serve both local and international dishes. Travelers can also check out the coffee shops, the local markets to buy fresh local fruits and artisan shops to buy souvenirs. We have a comprehensive article about the major tourism activities in Kigali for international and local tourists.

Nyungwe Forest National Park: Best known as Rwanda’s greenest national park, Nyungwe is home to chimpanzees, 11 other different types of monkeys and birds. Travelers can enjoy observing these amazing while registered for canopy walks or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Whereas most tourist visit the park to see the chimps, the canopy walk is just as interested. The canopy walk is organized along a suspended bridge with an aerial view of the forest. From this bridge, Travelers can view rare plants, flowers, birds, primates and other wild animals.

Travel Advice for Solo Travelers in Rwanda

Communication: Rwanda is a multi-lingual country with Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French and English the main languages spoken. Foreign Travelers will not have a problem of language barrier because most people in the country speak English or French. Internet in Rwanda is easily accessible and connection is freely offered by most of the accommodation facilities like hotels, lodges and cottages. Travelers who intend on visiting the remote areas of the country may need to purchase a sim card because Wi-Fi may not be easy to access in rural areas.

Currency: The commonly used currencies are the Rwandan Francs, Uganda shillings and US dollars. US dollars are accepted in most hotels and urban restaurants/coffee shops. It’s important that Travelers have some of their dollars exchanged into the local currency. They can do this from any of the licensed Forex bureaus in the country. Local currencies are important for making small purchases like souvenirs, when paying transport fares or for tip. It’s also important to note that ATM machines are mostly found in busy towns and so Travelers need to withdraw some money before heading to the remote safari parks.

Transport/Transfers: Rwanda has a relatively well developed transportation system in place. Travelers can choose to use private taxis, public buses, passenger motorcycles or book domestic flights. Domestic or chartered flights are very expensive because very few locals use it. In case you plan on visiting the national parks, we highly recommend hiring a vehicle with reputable companies or using the services of a tour operator.

Health and Safety: Solo Travelers in Rwanda are encouraged to visit their doctor before travel in case they have a lingering medical condition. Some of the common medications recommended for solo Travelers to Rwanda include drugs for malaria and diarrhea. It’s also very important that Travelers move with their Travel insurance policies and emergency contacts. While in Rwanda, avoid drinking tap water because you could catch water borne diseases. Always drink bottled water to stay safe.

To conclude, always be vigilant about your surroundings and keep your personal belongings safe. You can ensure safety of your belongings by locking your car windows when in public places and making sure that your hotel room is locked whenever you are away.