Rwanda / Repubulika y’u Rwanda / République du Rwanda / Jamhuri ya Rwanda – Let’s explore here

What’s it like in Rwanda?

Rwanda is a small, mainly mountainous, landlocked country in central Africa, about one tenth of the size of the UK. The entire country is at a high altitude, the lowest point being 3,117 ft (950m) above sea level. The highest point is the volcano, Mount Karisimbi, at 14,787 ft (4,507 m) above sea level.

It has a long and troubled history, dominated by Hutu and Tutsi ethnic tensions. This has resulted in it having a very young population, with 43.3% of the population were aged 15 and under (2014).

The population of Rwanda is around 13.5 million people (2024), about one in eight of whom live in the capital, Kigali. It is the most densely populated country in Africa. It shares land borders with Burundi, DRC, Uganda and Tanzania.

A bit about the history of Rwanda

Pre-Colonial and Early Colonial Period

Before the arrival of European powers, Rwanda was a unified kingdom, established by the Tutsi monarchy, with a system of governance based on clan and feudal structures. The Kingdom of Rwanda, which emerged around the 15th century, was a highly centralised state ruled by the Tutsi kings, known as Mwami. The Tutsi were traditionally the rulers, while the Hutu and Twa groups made up the majority of the population, with Hutus typically working as farmers and Twa as hunter-gatherers. Despite the ethnic distinctions, the kingdom maintained relative harmony through its complex system of local governance.

In the late 19th century, Rwanda became a part of German East Africa after the region was colonised by Germany in 1897. During German rule, which lasted until World War I, the existing social structure was somewhat maintained. However, the Germans introduced policies that intensified the ethnic distinctions between the Tutsi and Hutu, further institutionalising Tutsi dominance through the colonial administration.

Following Germany’s defeat in World War I, Rwanda, along with Burundi, was placed under Belgian control by the League of Nations in 1919. The Belgian administration continued the policy of favouring the Tutsi over the Hutu in both political and social spheres, which deepened ethnic divisions. The Belgians also introduced identity cards that officially classified Rwandans as Tutsi, Hutu or Twa, further institutionalising the ethnic divide.

Independence and Early Political Struggles

Rwanda gained independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962, and the Hutu majority, which had long been politically suppressed, took power under the leadership of Grégoire Kayibanda. This shift marked the beginning of a period of political instability, as the newly empowered Hutu government began to discriminate against the Tutsi population. In the years following independence, violence against Tutsis became more frequent, culminating in the 1973 military coup led by Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu military officer. Habyarimana became president and his regime, which lasted until his death in 1994, was marked by political repression, economic stagnation and increasing ethnic tension. The government maintained a firm grip on power, while the opposition, particularly the Tutsi diaspora, grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of political reform.

The Rwandan Civil War and Genocide

In 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a rebel group composed largely of Tutsi exiles, launched an invasion from Uganda, triggering a civil war. The conflict between the RPF and the Habyarimana government continued for four years, with a peace agreement, the Arusha Accords, signed in 1993. However, the peace process was fragile, and ethnic violence continued to escalate.

On 6 April 1994, President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down, an event that triggered the start of the Rwandan genocide. Over the course of approximately 100 days, between 500,000 and 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by government forces, militia groups and ordinary civilians. The international community, including the United Nations, was criticised for its failure to intervene effectively during the massacre. After the genocide, the RPF, led by Paul Kagame, seized control of the country, ending the violence and establishing a new government. Kagame, who had been a key figure in the RPF, eventually became Rwanda’s president, a position he has held since 2000.

Post-Genocide Reconstruction and Development

Following the genocide, Rwanda faced enormous challenges in terms of rebuilding both its infrastructure and its social fabric. The country was left deeply scarred, with widespread trauma, a collapsed economy and a devastated population. However, under Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda embarked on an ambitious programme of reconstruction, focusing on national unity and reconciliation. The government initiated a series of policies aimed at rebuilding the country’s economy, promoting gender equality and creating a sense of national identity that transcended ethnic divisions.

One of the key steps taken was the establishment of the Gacaca courts, a system of community-based trials designed to prosecute individuals involved in the genocide while promoting reconciliation. Rwanda also adopted a ‘vision 2020’ plan, aiming to transform the country into a middle-income economy by focusing on education, infrastructure and information technology.

Rwanda’s experienced rapid growth in the early 21st century, driven by sectors such as agriculture, mining and services. It became known for its efforts to eliminate corruption and improve governance, while maintaining a relatively stable political environment under Kagame’s leadership. The country also became a model for gender equality, with women holding a significant proportion of political positions, including in parliament, where Rwanda boasts one of the highest rates of female representation in the world.

Challenges and Ongoing Issues

Despite its impressive economic and social progress, Rwanda continues to face significant challenges. The country remains one of the poorest in Africa, with high rates of poverty and a reliance on foreign aid. Political opposition is limited, with critics arguing that Kagame’s government is authoritarian, with restrictions on political freedom and dissent. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the treatment of opposition figures, restrictions on free speech and the suppression of political pluralism.

Rwanda’s Support for Rebels

Rwanda’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) traces back to the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, when the genocidal Hutu regime fled into the eastern DRC (then Zaire), leading to the First and Second Congo Wars. Rwanda’s military interventions in the DRC during the late 1990s and early 2000s were initially framed as efforts to target remnants of the Hutu militias responsible for the genocide. However, over time, Rwanda’s role in the region expanded, driven by economic, security and political interests, including access to mineral resources and regional influence.

Rwanda has been accused of backing various rebel groups operating in the eastern DRC, most notably the M23 movement, which emerged in 2012. M23 was composed largely of Tutsi fighters who had previously been part of Rwanda’s army or allied groups in the region. Rwanda was accused of providing military support to M23, although it consistently denied these allegations, framing its involvement as part of a broader effort to ensure security for its border areas and to combat the threat posed by hostile armed groups in the DRC.

Rwanda road trip

Our Rwandan road trip is part of a much larger African road trip.

Our planned road trip through Rwanda takes us from Burundi towards the capital, Kigali, before moving onto Uganda. No doubt we’ll explore the country much more than this continent-spanning short route shows, in particular checking out tLake Butera.

Hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂

Map of our road trip through Rwanda

What’s it like to drive in Rwanda?

They drive on the right hand side of the road in Rwanda.  In the main, roads are above average, although many are unsurfaced dirt tracks. Driving standards are poor however.

Do you require an international driving permit in Rwanda?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Rwanda?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Rwanda?

A Carnet de Passages is required to overland in Rwanda. We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

What currency do they use in Rwanda?

In Rwanda they use the Rwandan Franc, although US dollars are widely accepted. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards becoming more widely accepted outside of the capital and tourist areas. Travellers cheques are not readily accepted. There are some ATMs in cities throughout the country.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Rwanda?

They mainly speak Kinyarwanda in Rwanda. Although English, French and Swahili are also official languages, the number of speakers is low.

What time zone is Rwanda in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Rwanda?

We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

Is wild camping legal in Rwanda?

Yes, wild camping is fine in Rwanda.

What plug / socket type do they use in Rwanda?

In Rwanda they use plug / socket types C and J.

Health issues in Rwanda

Is it safe to drink water in Rwanda?

No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Rwanda. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country.

What vaccinations are required for Rwanda?

This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in Rwanda.

Phones in Rwanda

What is the country calling code for Rwanda?

The country calling code for Rwanda is +250

What are the emergency phone numbers in Rwanda?

• The emergency number for police in Rwanda is: 112
• In Rwanda, the emergency number for ambulance is: 912
• The emergency number for fire in Rwanda is: 112

If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!