My Experience Living/Traveling in Rwanda: People, Culture, and Daily Life

And huh! Where should I start?

With the landscape, interaction with the people, the beautiful nature,

or the good season.

I had heard many great things about Rwanda, but as a suspicious person,

I didn’t buy into what the media was saying.

But I was curious and wanted to explore and experience everything.

I came to Rwanda in September 2023 to complete my studies

and explore every part of it.

My expectations were low,

but now I could write a book explaining how Rwanda

and its people made me feel.

I traveled to Ethiopia and Malaysia, which offered a good

and different vibe, but Rwanda is truly special.

I traveled to most parts of Rwanda and interacted with many Rwandans,

and I genuinely love these people.

I am sharing my entire experience of living in Rwanda,

from daily life to interactions with the people, food, culture,

and every unforgettable

and special detail that most people miss when they visit Rwanda.

First Impressions of Rwanda

Airport arrival

I arrived at night, and I got to see how beautiful Kigali is at night.

It was raining and cold, but I loved it so much.

Everything went smoothly with the immigration,

but I was stopped by security because they don’t allow plastic bags.

It didn’t make me mad,

but I was impressed by how seriously they take the city’s cleanliness.

They were gentle and polite.

Kigali city atmosphere

The city was quiet, with a calm atmosphere. I felt it in my soul.

It’s as if I knew it was the place where

I wouldn’t have to worry much about anything.

I am safe and in a clean place.

But it wasn’t just about how clean the city is;

the women are also so beautiful.

I went directly to my place and chilled, excited about exploring the city

and confirming everything, including security and cleanliness.

Cleanliness and safety

Since it is one of the biggest topics about Rwanda,

I wanted to see that for myself.

In short, yes, Kigali is clean and safe,

and they are putting in enough effort to improve it.

Moving through neighborhoods at night,

I always see them cleaning the roads.

When it comes to security, it is indeed the safest country in Africa.

There are many times

when I walk with my friends at 3 AM after partying and had zero issues.

During my entire stay in Rwanda, I was never robbed.

And there was a moment when money fell out of my pocket,

and a local person brought it back to me; it happened twice.

I am genuinely happy

because I don’t have to worry about my safety here in Rwanda.

People & Community

Rwandans are very polite and social;

their hospitality captured my heart to its depths.

Rwandans are hard workers, ambitious, and structured, in my opinion.

They are united and take pride in themselves.

I am impressed by how much they drink,

though I don’t drink too much.

I have no problem interacting with people; sometimes,

they mistake me for a Rwandan until I start talking.

I found that Rwandans are open and social;

they genuinely seem interested in getting to know you better.

Starting a conversation

and interacting with the locals is not a big problem.

Just know that you will get a lot of stares

if you are African, European, Asian, or an American.

People will stare at you a lot, not out of hostility or bad intentions,

but simply out of curiosity.

It is just human nature, so just chill out.

Language

Learning some Kinyarwanda words is very important

if you are living in Rwanda or just traveling here.

It is easy to learn the basics, and it makes your communication

and interaction very smooth.

Knowing French is also a bonus,

but you will be fine if you know English only.

Many people I know who have been here for one year can speak

the basic native language,

so it is not hard if you have an interest in learning it.

Daily Life in Rwanda

Transport

Most people use a motorcycle for fast transportation

because traffic becomes heavy at night and in the evening.

But you can order a ride with Move by Volkswagen,

and you are charged by the meter. You can download it here.

I recommend it.

Negotiating with motor guys and in markets

In most places in Rwanda,

there is no fixed price, and everything can be negotiated.

It is something I didn’t know before.

That’s why it’s important to know some of the local language,

or you may be overcharged.

I got into many situations where I was charged twice the price

and later discovered that.

I spoke with many Rwandans and foreigners about this issue,

and they also reported facing the same problem.

The trick is to open the conversation with Amakuru (How are you)

or any native language word.

They won’t charge you more, and you can negotiate afterward.

The same thing happens in markets as well.

Just know that there is no fixed price.

Living in Rwanda costs

Housing

Living in Rwanda as a student is both cheap and expensive.

The cost of living depends on many factors,

primarily on your personal preferences.

You can live on a budget of below $200 or above $2,000.

There are neighborhoods like

Nyarutarama, Kiyovu, Gishushu, Kimihurura, and Gucuriro,

where a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment can cost $ 1,200 or more.

A decent Airbnb can cost $50 or more per night.

You can also find monthly one-bedroom rentals

in some neighborhoods for $70–100.

Some hotels charge more than $1,000/night.

For a good experience, be prepared to spend a considerable amount.

Food and drinks

Food is affordable.

I cook at home and spend less than $5 per day.

However, when I eat outside, I spend $15-$30 per day (I eat a lot).

Local beers are not expensive; they cost $1.

Tours and trips

I take trips every three months to visit new places in Rwanda.

That’s the fun part of my stay in Rwanda.

I have visited the most beautiful parts of Rwanda,

including Huye, Gisenyi, Nyungwe, Bugesera, and Musanze.

The places are so beautiful.

There are many tour companies that organize monthly trips for

both locals and internationals.

Additionally, you can book private tours, which come at a significant cost.

I spend around $40-$70 on most trips as an East African national.

If you are visiting Rwanda,

I recommend booking a city tour with a local guide to gain

a deeper understanding of the country and its people.

You can book one here.

Safety & Lifestyle

Safety in Rwanda for travelers

Yes, in Rwanda, you don’t really have to worry about your safety at all.

It is a very safe country, as the media often portrays it to be.

Soldiers are always patrolling to ensure everyone’s safety.

Nightlife

Rwandans really enjoy their nightlife to the fullest.

The best area to enjoy your nightlife in Kigali is in Kisimenti.

It is bustling with many clubs and bars.

However, there are many other neighborhoods, such as Nyamirambo

and Gikondo, that are bustling with music and bars.

Nature & outdoor activities

Hiking

Rwanda, in general, boasts a great natural landscape with scenic views,

and there are many hiking groups in Kigali.

It’s the land of a thousand hills

and offers plenty for nature lovers like me.

I went on many hikes, but my favorite is the Kanyinya suspension bridge.

It is a 15 km trail, and it genuinely challenged me.

lakes

There are 101 lakes in Rwanda,

according to the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA),

making Rwanda an ideal destination for holidays and relaxation.

I have visited three lakes and enjoyed them to the fullest.

I am a person who genuinely loves enjoying life to the fullest,

and going to the beach and having a great time is my thing.

I first went to Gisenyi and enjoyed the view of Lake Kivu from there.

I also enjoyed the view of Lake Kivu from Kibuye. Kibuye is, by far,

my favorite city in Rwanda,

and I highly recommend it to everyone staying in or visiting Rwanda.

You must visit Kibuye to experience life’s peak moments.

The view from one of the mountains is breathtaking,

the lake is remarkably calm, and nature is teeming with life,

making every moment of your stay/visit/trip worthwhile.

After visiting Kibuye, I made a vow to visit it every year,

just to remind myself how good life is.

I also visited Twin Lakes in Musanze, and it was a great experience.

We also went on a trip with my hiking group to Lake Gashora,

which was great and filled with good vibes.

I loved the view at sunset.

It’s one of those trips everyone

should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Safaris

I haven’t tried any of the safaris in Rwanda,

so I can’t personally recommend one.

However, there are many safaris available in Rwanda

that offer gorilla trekking and other exciting activities.

Reflections & Personal Takeaways

Lessons

Rwanda taught me a lot about resilience, hospitality, hope, and progress.

When I came to Rwanda,

I went to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and learned a lot about its history,

which made me deeply emotional.

I genuinely love how they managed to turn everything around

and build their country again after the genocide.

It is a story that I learned a lot from and hope many people learn from.

Thanks to their president, Paul Kagame.

Nature

Africa, in general, boasts one of the world’s most scenic views

and natural wonders, and Rwanda certainly doesn’t disappoint.

I visited Nyungwe National Forest Park twice,

and it is one of the top five best trip experiences I’ve had in Rwanda.

Walking through the forest, hearing the birds sing,

gave me chills and a deep sense of calm.

During all my trips to Nyungwe National Forest Park,

I usually forget about all my worries and problems.

It is an experience that I recommend to everyone.

The nature in Nyungwe is astonishing.

Would I recommend traveling or living there long-term?

Absolutely, yes. I have been in Rwanda for 2 years now with zero problems.

It is safe, clean, and progressing.

As long as your finances are in order,

you will face no problem traveling or moving to Rwanda.

Continue reading: Best Places to Visit in Rwanda: Based on My Personal Journey