Looking for a rewarding yet uncomplicated African country to explore? A country where travelling is safe, and modern conveniences are easy to find? One with iconic wildlife and pristine natural places? Rwanda is the perfect place. Rwanda – Why Visit, Places to Explore, and Travel Tips is our personal experience exploring this country in 2025. Our adventure includes Kigali, Musanze and Volcanoes National Park. We share our insights on where to stay, where to eat and drink, and things to see and do. Our guide reflects our travel style and aims to provide useful things to know before visiting this obscure destination.
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Rwanda, ‘the country of a thousand hills.’ After travelling through the country, it becomes clear why this description is accurate. It’s referred to locally as ‘the heart of Africa’, not only for its central location on the continent but also for its character. Like the human heart, Rwanda has a steady, calm and gentle beat. It’s peaceful, there is an order here. Rwanda isn’t your typical African destination. Rwanda is different.
Why go to Rwanda?
Rwanda is about as modern as it gets in this area of Africa. Foreign investment, infrastructure, order and stability, make it unlike many other African countries. It’s a little unusual upon first arrival, especially for those who have experienced Africa before. Great roads, street lights and speed cameras remind you of home. It may be one of the continents smallest mainland countries, however, Rwanda is packed with attractions. Everything from dry savannahs and rainforests to volcanoes and lakes can be found within its borders. Fine dining, ample accommodation options, and rich cultures mean Rwanda has something for everyone.
- Capital: Kigali
- Best time to visit: May – October (wet season February – April)
- Budget/Mid-Range/Couple: AU$140 per day
- Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF925 = AU$1)
- Language: Kinyarwanda, English
- Visa: No
- Difficulty: 1 (1-basic & 5-challenging)
Kigali
Kigali is unusual as far as African capitals are concerned. If you are expecting the chaos that is often associated with such places, you will be pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere here is the exact opposite. Life here is composed and harmonious. With tidy streets, rubbish bins, and very little litter, Kigali has been described as the Singapore of Africa. A city with unmatched safety, classy dining and excellent lodgings make Kigali an attractive destination.
Getting to Kigali
Kigali has direct flights from Europe and the Middle East, making it one of the easiest African capitals to reach. The city also has excellent connections to other parts of Africa.
Arriving overland by bus or private vehicle from Uganda is common and easy. We crossed on public transport from Uganda, and the process was simple, much like most other East African border crossings.
Where to stay in Kigali
The city has a large number of quality places to stay, from fancy hotels, to budget friendly establishments. Airbnb’s are common, and excellent value. They can be found all over the city. The Kigali Heights area has more modern and luxury options, with prices to match.
We stayed in the Genocide Memorial area, immersed in a local community, and absolutely loved the experience.
Where to eat and drink in Kigali
Kigali has a unique eating scene, unlike anywhere else in this part of the world. Street food and roadside eateries don’t exist here. People eat at cafes and restaurants, and there’s plenty of them. Kigali takes pride in its cuisine, and as a result, there’s some amazing eating options. Local-style lunch buffets are popular and inexpensive. We enjoyed the Indian restaurants here, and we also tried popular local buffets – they were delicious. Keep an eye out for them, as they often don’t show up on Google Maps.
- Get to Kurry Kingdom (serves the best curries in East Africa, at affordable prices)
- Don’t miss Lahori Restaurant (dishes up excellent Pakistani meals in a rooftop setting. Also offers a lunchtime buffet that’s popular with locals)
- Check out Indian Curry (another busy spot with a great view)
Things to see and do in Kigali
Kigali Genocide Museum is where you can not only learn about the atrocities of the genocide, but also reflect and remember the lives lost in the remembrance gardens.
Museum of Natural History is located in a hundred-year-old house with amazing gardens.
Hotel Rwanda or Hotel des Millie Collines, was the inspiration behind the movie. Used during the genocide to shelter people, it still operates as a luxury hotel. It has a bar and restaurant downstairs.
Kimironko Market is the city’s largest. Home to everything from fresh produce to clothing. Best place to find crafts and souvenirs. Allow plenty of time, as every vendor will want you to stop by their shop.
Caplaki Market has a growing number of quality art and craft stores to check out.
Getting around Kigali
Most people use a moto, a local motorbike taxi, to get around the city. Walking is a great way to soak in the atmosphere. Just remember, Kigali is situated on top of a hill, so depending on where you choose to stay, some energy may be required!
Rwanda is safe and calm, and very user-friendly for travellers.
Musanze
A picturesque town north of Rwanda, Musanze is surrounded by five ancient volcanoes. With Uganda in one direction, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in another, it is a perfect base for exploring the area. At almost 2,000m above sea level, it has a pleasant climate, and even gets a little chilly at night. The major attraction is Volcanoes National Park, and its resident gorillas, just a short drive away. Musanze itself is a lovely town, where you will find everything you need along with an abundance of welcoming locals.
Getting to Musanze
A pleasant three-hour ride is required to reach Musanze from Kigali. Buses leave every thirty minutes from the busy Nyabugogo Bus Terminal in Kigali. Buses are clearly marked with their destination displayed in the front window. Bus drivers follow the speed limit, and buses don’t get overloaded. It’s a slow but scenic ride through the hills, with a short break around half way. The Ugandan border is less than thirty-minutes away, which is very convenient if you are heading to or coming from the border.
Where to stay in Musanze
Musanze is the largest town in this area of Rwanda, and the closet to Volcanoes National Park, so it’s no surprise that there is a large number of establishments providing a place to stay. Self-catering apartments, bed and breakfasts, and luxury hotels are everywhere. Neighbourhoods surrounding the town centre are ideal places to stay, local and quiet, yet still close enough to walk into town.
Where to eat and drink in Musanze
You will be spoilt for choice, with the busy streets of Musanze offering a range of tasty eating options. The town caters to tourists passing through on their way to Volcanoes National Park, with cafes and Western-style meals easy to find.
- Get to Lippia Restaurant (this is where you will find hungry locals at mealtimes. The local food is served buffet style, and is great value. Open until 10pm)
- Check out Connection Cafe (serves meals catering for every dietary need. Nice spot to grab a beer or wine and do some people watching. Meals are made fresh, so expect a thirty-minute wait)
- Don’t miss Musanze Agri Market (delicious fresh local produce, always haggle for the best deals – it’s part of the experience!)
Things to see and do in Musanze
Immerse yourself in town life at the busy town Agri Market. There are two stories, with fresh local produce on the ground floor, and everything else upstairs. We loved our daily visit here – the produce is amazing and the vendors are friendly and helpful.
Volcanoes National Park is world renown, with the park headquarters only a short thirty-minute drive. The park has multiple hiking opportunities, as well as gorillas.
Rwanda Tourism Information is the place to go to find all the information you need about activities in the area.
Waterfalls and Villages can be found just outside of town. There’s plenty of guides in town who are eager to take you for a small fee. You won’t have any trouble finding one, they’ll find you.
Gisenyi is on the shores of Lake Kivu. It’s an easy drive or bus ride away. The border crossing with DRC is literally in the town. If you have the appropriate visa, you can walk across the border into Goma.
Getting around Musanze
It’s a pleasant town to navigate on foot, as many of the locals do. Moto’s wait on most streets and are the number one form of public transport. Taxis are around and are a good option if you have a lot of stuff.
Volcanoes National Park
Unlike any other National Park in the world, Volcanoes National Park has an astounding five volcanoes. The slopes of these ancient, mist covered monoliths are home to twenty-five different mountain gorilla families, along with a range of wildlife. Made famous by the inspiring Dian Fossey, and the movie Gorilla’s in the Mist – there’s no other place like it on earth. For most visitors, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park
The park headquarters are a thirty-minute drive from the town of Musanze. From the headquarters, it’ll be about another hour before you actually step foot in the park. A private vehicle is required to access the points of interest. The last few kilometres of the road are in a terrible condition, meaning you will need a 4×4.
Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park
Luxury lodges form the nucleus of accommodation options near the park. These range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per night. For travellers on a more realistic budget, the town of Musanze is much more affordable. We stayed in Musanze for a week and loved it – it was a great base for meeting locals and taking excursions into the National Park. The village of Kinigi has some basic, local style guesthouses, and camping may also be possible if you have the right equipment.
Where to eat and drink in Volcanoes National Park
For those staying at one of the lodges close to the park, all meals are usually included. There are no self-catering options near the park. You may be able to find something to eat in the nearby village of Kinigi, where there are a number of local style eateries. Bring water and snacks when you visit the park.
Things to see and do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking is the number one reason people visit the park. Although it is the most expensive place to see them, it is professionally run, and sightings are assured. Tours depart the headquarters at 7am every day. It is a massive business here in Rwanda, contributing millions of dollars to the economy. It is essential to book ahead. Trails will usually be damp and muddy, so wear pants and good shoes.
Golden Monkey excursions are growing in popularity, with a much more realistic price. Although sightings are guaranteed, the monkeys may be high in the canopy.
Dian Fossey and Digit’s Graves can be found at the old Karisoke Research Centre, which is about a two-three hour hike from the trailhead. The hike passes through fields, before you enter the park, and begin the climb. It’s damp and muddy, so be prepared. This was one of our favourite hikes. Without Dian and her efforts, there might not be any gorillas left today.
Climbing the Volcanoes is the reason many people come to this area. There’s five of them to choose from, with hikes ranging from one to three days. Crater lakes, cloud forests, and amazing views await hiking enthusiasts.
Nature Walks can be arranged in Musanze or at the park headquarters. There are plenty of walks, not only within the National Park but also around the surrounding towns and villages. Nearly all walks require a guide. The Tourist Information Centre in Musanze will put you in contact with one if you need.
Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the new research centre. It is home to a wealth of information, and the number one place to go to learn everything there is to know about the gorillas.
Getting around Volcanoes National Park
There are no roads inside the park, only hiking trails, where you must be accompanied by a guide and armed guards at all times. You will need your own 4×4 vehicle to get anywhere near the park, as the roads are just a series of stone tracks.
Getting to Rwanda
Rwanda has some of Africa’s best connections to Europe and the Middle East. The country is also a flight hub and is regularly used as a stopover on flights to other African destinations. Overland travel from Uganda or Tanzania is straightforward, with frequent buses and simple border crossings.
Useful things to know before visiting Rwanda
It’s one of Africa’s safest countries.
Entry is visa free for many countries, and there is no charge.
The Wise Multi-Currency Card works well, but it cannot be loaded with Rwandan francs. We take Wise everywhere – get yours here and support our journey.
National Parks DO NOT accept cash. All payments must be made online in advance or by card upon arrival.
Payments for parks and activities are made in US dollars.
Public transport is extensive, well organised, and very affordable.
Moto taxis are the best way to get around town. Ask your host or hotel what a fair price is. They carry only one passenger, unlike other countries. Helmuts are provided and compulsory.
Traveling around Rwanda by bus is easy and a great way to see the countryside. Bus prices are normally displayed in the front of the bus, and a paper ticket will be issued – don’t pay anyone until you are on the bus.
Final thoughts on travelling in Rwanda
Rwanda has a modern atmosphere about it, particularly Kigali. Building projects are everywhere, development rolls on. It’s a place that other countries in the area may be envious of. Rwanda is safe and calm, and very user-friendly for travellers. But this comes at a cost. National Parks and the experiences they offer are not cheap. These places have a splurge or luxury type feel. They form the catalyst of Rwanda’s attractions. This undoubtably appeals to some visitors, but remains out of reach for many. All this aside, it’s still a pleasant and relaxing country to explore. The transformation in the last thirty years is remarkable and has to be seen to be believed. Rwanda is a country that deserves all it gets. It hasn’t been an easy road.