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Rwanda Snapshot

Rwanda has a tropical highland climate, with temperatures being pleasantly warm most of the year. March to May is the wet season, so expect frequent rain and thunderstorms during this period, which can make trekking and other outdoor activities uncomfortable at times.
  • Rwanda weather chart

Eating and Drinking in Rwanda

  • Fresh Fruit: Bananas, avocados, mangoes and papaya are plentiful in Rwanda and are a cheap, fresh snack when bought from markets and street carts.
  • Frites-Banane (Fried Plantains): Fried Plantains are a delicious snack and found just about everywhere in Rwanda.
  • Meat: Barbecued beef, goat and chicken are available at roadside street stalls in the larger cities.
  • Beer: Beer is popular with the men of Rwanda (women rarely drink). Primus, Mutzig and Amstel are the main beers available in Rwanda, as well as locally brewed banana beer.

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. Rwandan food typically consists of simple meals made from locally grown produce. Sweet potato, corn, peas, beans and cassava feature heavily, and are usually fried or cooked in a stew. Spices and seasonings aren’t common in Rwandan cooking, so food may be a little bland for some – but just right for others who prefer their food less spicy.

Shopping in Rwanda

  • Shopping for handicrafts with friendly locals

Rwanda’s markets are filled with bright delights, from fresh fruit and vegetables to vibrant fabrics. Souvenir-wise, the best picks are handicrafts and artwork by local artists. Woven baskets, colourful fabric bags, interesting jewellery, wood carvings and terracotta pots all make great mementos of your trip or gifts for friends back home.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Supporting Grassroots Business

Supporting grassroots projects is something Intrepid encourages. While shopping in Rwanda, keep an eye out for these organisations that support local artisans:
Rwanda Nziza

Rwanda Nziza

Kiyovu, Kigali The Rwanda Fair Trade Artisan’s Association fosters a connection between Rwandan artists and customers. Many artists aren’t able to travel to markets, so their work is sold and displayed here. Choose from woven baskets, colourful clothing, jewellery and bags.

Accommodation

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Rwanda you may find yourself staying in a:

  • Lodge

  • Spend a night sleeping in a lodge surrounded by lush forest, rolling hills and twittering birdlife. It’s not often you get to stay within a national park.

  • Homestay

  • Experience Rwandan hospitality while staying with a local family. Eat traditional food, make new friends and learn about African daily life.

Transport

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Rwanda, you may find yourself travelling by:
Safari Vehicle

  • Safari Vehicle

  • Get out of the city and into the heart of the African bush aboard a safari vehicle, purpose-built for negotiating rough terrain.

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Rwanda at a glance

  • 22
  • Kigali (population 851,000)
  • 11.3 million
  • Kinyarwanda, French, English
  • RWF
  • (GMT+02:00) Windhoek
  • Type C (European 2-pin), Type J (Swiss 3-pin)
  • +250

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