Rwanda Travel Guide

East Africa

Rwanda Travel Guide

Mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, and one of Africa’s cleanest, most walkable capital cities in Kigali.

Why visit

Gorilla trekking & Kigali

Volcanoes National Park sits close enough to Kigali that gorilla trekking is possible as a long day trip, unlike Uganda’s more remote Bwindi. Kigali itself is notably clean and well organized, and has become a growing hub for conferences and remote work in the region.

Beyond gorillas

Nyungwe & Lake Kivu

Nyungwe Forest National Park offers chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walkway through montane rainforest. Lake Kivu’s shoreline towns provide a relaxed, scenic add-on for travelers extending their trip beyond the primary gorilla trek.

Combining with Kenya

Getting there

Kigali International Airport has direct flights from Nairobi, making Rwanda a straightforward add-on to a Kenya itinerary for travelers who want gorilla trekking without the longer transfer to Uganda’s Bwindi.

Before you go

Visa & currency

Many nationalities can get a Rwanda visa on arrival or via e-visa in advance — confirm current requirements before booking. Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc; cards are increasingly accepted in Kigali, but carry cash for rural areas and smaller vendors.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Rwanda’s gorilla permits generally cost more than Uganda’s, but the shorter transfer from Kigali and more developed tourism infrastructure are part of what that premium reflects.
Three to four days covers a day in Kigali, the gorilla trek, and some buffer time — longer if adding Nyungwe or Lake Kivu.
Yes — it’s an unusually clean, walkable capital with a genuinely good restaurant and coffee scene, worth at least a day before or after the gorilla trek.

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