Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Rwanda. We were shocked at how much we loved Rwanda. We were literally brought to tears of joy multiple times during our Rwanda vacation. So, today, we’re sharing the ten things that will shock you when you travel to Rwanda.
Cleanliness of Rwanda
When you fly into Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali, you will be shocked at how clean it is. For a city of nearly one million people, Kigali is super clean, as is the rest of Rwanda. The locals have intense pride for their country and community, and it shows. On the last Saturday of each month, everyone gets together to clean their neighborhoods. You really don’t see any litter or garbage in the streets; it’s a pretty awesome surprise!
Rwanda Roads
The highways are pretty good, so that’s not anything to worry about. What’s most shocking are the people on the side of the roads in Rwanda. Many people walk or ride bikes everywhere, so the sidewalks are sometimes busier than the streets! You’ll see women walking with huge baskets on their heads, and others pushing carts loaded with random equipment. You see people walking their goats and all sorts of things.
Moto-Taxis
Chances are, you’ll end up getting a ride on a moto-taxi during your Rwanda trip. It’s the quickest and most efficient way to get around, especially in Kigali. Rwanda is super hilly, so even short distances can take a long time. Don’t be scared of the moto-taxi; they’ll give you a helmet. If you prefer a slower pace, you’ll see bicycle taxis as well.
Honest Safety Advice for Travelers
Gorillas in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is very popular in Rwanda, and it’s shocking how close you can get to these wild animals. It’s a pricy experience, but completely magical. It’s quite a shock at how cool the whole trek can be. The gorillas may even come very close to you, which is a shock in and of itself.
Things to Do in Rwanda
So many people visit Rwanda for the gorilla trekking, but may be surprised to find out how many other things there are to do! There are lakes, national parks, villages, and even safari parks where you can see “the big five.” One of our favorite spots is the Gorilla Guardians Village, a park developed by former poachers that helps to teach the Rwandan culture to visitors.
Feeling Safe in Rwanda
Any trip to an African country is likely going to come with some trepidation about safety. You hear so many negative stories in the news, and Rwanda is largely associated with the genocide of 1994. We were positively shocked at how safe we felt in Rwanda. The people are so friendly and welcoming; we never felt in any danger at all. There is heavy security around, but it’s nothing to worry about.
Rwandan Food
Surprisingly, eating in Rwanda is super vegetarian-friendly. We aren’t vegetarians but found ourselves going without meat for the majority of our trip. A lot of Rwandan cuisine is vegetable-based, with beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, even bananas. Vegetarian travelers will have no trouble finding plenty of suitable meals in Rwanda.
Friendly Locals
You might think a country that suffered a horrible genocide one generation ago would not be so friendly, but we were blown away by the locals in Rwanda. People smile and wave as you walk by on the street and everyone at the local businesses greeted us in such a friendly and welcoming way. It’s really important to them that you have a good time during your Rwanda visit.
The Horrors of Genocide
The Rwandan genocide occurred over 100 days in 1994. It’s estimated that 800,000 to 1,000,000 people were killed during that time. There are several genocide memorials around the country, and they paint a shocking picture of what happened. They do not white-wash any of the histories and it can be very graphic and upsetting. However, learning about this horrific event is a necessary part of understanding Rwanda.
Genocide Recovery
While the horrors of genocide are relatively fresh, it’s equally shocking how well Rwanda seems to have recovered. The country has been rebuilt into a fantastic place to live, work, and visit. When you realize what they’ve undergone and overcome, it’s really inspiring. They are no longer Hutu or Tutsi, they are all Rwandan. It gave us hope for our own country and other countries around the world in turmoil.
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Rwanda is a fantastic country to visit; we enjoyed our Rwanda vacation immensely and highly recommend Rwanda travel to anyone who has the opportunity. Want more tips for international travel? Check out some of our other blog posts!