Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
Stop researching. Start exploring.Discover all 65 highlights,ranked
and organized into practical routes.
Get instant access
Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Yellow fever vaccination is required if you’re traveling from a country with yellow fever risk. Recommended vaccines include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies. Consider Meningitis vaccine if visiting during dry season (June to September). Routine vaccinations like MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), and Polio should be up-to-date. Consult a travel clinic for personalized advice.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Rwanda, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for RwandaCulture & Customs
When in Rwanda, a warm handshake is a common greeting, often accompanied by a slight bend of the elbow. Rwandans value modesty, so dress conservatively, especially in rural areas. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people.
Do: Use your right hand when handing over money or gifts, as it’s considered polite.
Don’t: Discuss ethnic divisions; it’s a sensitive topic due to the history of genocide.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, discretion is advised since same-sex relations are frowned upon, though not illegal. Women should be mindful of modest dress codes in more traditional settings. Avoid public displays of affection, regardless of gender or orientation, as it’s not customary.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Rwanda.
- Ugali: A staple across East Africa, Ugali is a porridge-like dough made from maize or cassava flour. It’s a daily carb source for many Rwandans and is often served with vegetables or meat to soak up flavors.
- Isombe: Made from cassava leaves, Isombe is cooked with ground peanuts, palm oil, and sometimes fish. It’s a rich, nutritious dish showcasing how Rwandans make the most of available local ingredients.
- Brochettes: Grilled meat skewers, typically beef or goat, often marinated in spices. A go-to street food, they’re always a hit at local bars and gatherings, perfect for experiencing Rwandan social culture.
- Ibihaza: This dish features pumpkin cooked with beans and sometimes peanuts. It’s a hearty, comforting meal highlighting the Rwandan reliance on agricultural produce.
- Akabenz: A popular pork dish, often marinated and grilled, reflecting the growing trend of pork consumption in Rwanda. The name is a playful nod to luxury, as pork is sometimes seen as a treat.
Rwandan locals often drink tap water, but it’s not recommended for tourists due to potential stomach issues. It’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water to be safe. Keeping a portable water filter handy can be a smart move when traveling here.
The main language in Rwanda is
Kinyarwanda. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Kinyarwanda skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Rwanda includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - In Rwanda,
English is one of the official languages alongside Kinyarwanda and French. The country has made significant strides in promoting English, particularly since the 1994 genocide, as part of its vision for modernization and integration into the global community.
In urban areas like Kigali, English is widely spoken, especially among the younger population and professionals in sectors such as tourism, education, and business. Many Rwandans in these areas are fluent or conversational in English. However, in rural regions, English proficiency may vary, with Kinyarwanda being the predominant language.
Tourists will generally find that hotel staff, guides, and those in the tourism industry are proficient in English, making communication relatively easy. Nonetheless, knowing a few basic phrases in Kinyarwanda can enhance interactions and show respect for the local culture. Overall, while English is commonly spoken, the level of proficiency can differ based on location and context.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Rwanda is RWF (Frw).
Rwanda’s pretty chill when it comes to handling money, but there are a few things to keep in mind. ATMs are mostly in Kigali, and outside the city, they’re a bit rare. You’ll want to have some cash on hand for rural areas. Rwandan Francs (RWF) are the way to go, but having a small stash of USD is useful, especially for visas or emergencies. Euros are less common, so stick to dollars if you’re bringing foreign currency.
Credit cards are accepted at larger hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, but don’t count on them for smaller shops or local eateries—cash is still king. When it comes to exchanging money, hit up banks or authorized forex bureaus in Kigali for the best rates. Avoid exchanging money at the airport unless it’s a small amount, as the rates are usually not in your favor.
Tipping in Rwanda isn’t mandatory but is appreciated, especially in restaurants and for tour guides. A tip of around 5-10% is common in restaurants if service isn’t already included. For guides and drivers, a small tip of a few dollars or the equivalent in Rwandan francs is a nice gesture.
v2.webp){kind=logo}
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.