Rwanda is a relatively stable country located in East Africa, easy to get to know.
It is a landlocked country, sharing its borders with Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
The country is relatively safe and traveling there will make for a great experience.
Another quality of Rwanda is that it is rich in flora and fauna and seeing its green savannah is truly breathtaking to experience.
The biggest attraction for tourists is its fauna, as it is home to some rare species of animals like the silverback mountain gorillas.
There are also many unique species of birds and insects in the tropical forest of Nyungwe so this country truly is a paradise for any nature lover.
There are plenty of things to do and see in Rwanda, the first thing on the list being Parc National des Volcans, which is the home of the mountain gorillas: it’s even possible to visit it as a day trip from Kigali.
Warnings & Dangers in Rwanda
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Generally speaking, Rwanda is one of the safer countries in Africa to visit. This isn’t to say you should relax and let your guard down. Be vigilant at all times as this country has its dangers too.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Transportation is highly unsafe in Rwanda. All aspects of it are dangerous: the drivers are reckless, the roads are in bad condition, the vehicles are poorly maintained and to top it all off, there are many additional factors that represent a danger for drivers, like children running out on the road, people walking on roads and taxis driving recklessly.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Petty theft like pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and theft of other valuables and electronics exist and you should be very careful when carrying them with you. It is best to leave them in your accommodation, but if you must carry them with you, be especially careful in crowded places like bus and train stations.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Natural disasters that have been known to hit this country are numerous, some of which include drought, torrential rains, floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and epidemics.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Most crimes committed in Rwanda are non-violent. However, don’t stroll about as you would in your own country as there are still dark streets and deserted corners that are best avoided.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There haven't been any terrorist attacks recently in Rwanda, but they shouldn't be ruled out. Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all time.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There are no known widespread scams to U.S. Embassy Kigali. As in most countries, you should always check everything twice and negotiate everything in advance. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
The situation for women isn’t too dangerous, and they will probably feel pretty safe in Rwanda. Still, they are advised to apply all precaution measures they would in any other country. Do not find yourself in dark or deserted streets or poorly lit areas, don’t roam around at night unaccompanied and avoid bars and clubs altogether.
So... How Safe Is Rwanda Really?
Generally speaking, Rwanda is often described as safe for tourists and they are commonly welcomed warmly in Rwanda.
However, crime levels can’t be described as low, but rather as medium.
The socio-economic factors in Rwanda are slowly improving, the incomes of its people rising, especially in Kigali, so the attempted robberies, break-ins, carjacking, pickpocketing, purse-snatching and similar crimes, though they still occur, are much rarer than they used to be.
The greatest danger of living in Rwanda is probably driving and traffic conditions.
Drivers could be described as reckless, speeding all the time with disregard to other people’s safety, ignoring safe driving procedures and signs and taking unnecessary risks while on the road.
The vehicles are another issue as they are in poor condition and barely maintained in any way.
The quality of roads is also poor since they are unpaved and poorly lit.
To top it all off, there are additional road hazards like a motorcycle and van taxis driving erratically, children darting into the road and the general population often walking out on the road both during the day and night.
There is also some political turmoil in Rwanda as the Congo-based Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda rebel group still operates along Rwanda’s western border and has been linked to grenade attacks throughout Rwanda, including Kigali.
Apart from this, the terrorist group Al-Shabbab is active in the region, but Westerners haven’t been targeted so far.
How Does Rwanda Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Rwanda | 37 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Switzerland | 89 |
| South Korea | 82 |
| Oman | 76 |
| Canada | 88 |
| Estonia | 82 |
| Albania | 75 |
| Czech Republic | 88 |
Useful Information
Visas
All countries that are not visa-exempt may acquire a visa upon arrival, or obtain an e-Visa online before departure. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months with at least one empty page. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
Rwandan Franc is the official currency in Rwanda. Most banks in major towns have ATMs and credit cards are accepted in most tourist hotels.
Weather
Rwanda has an equatorial climate, tempered by altitude – since Kigali is located 1500m above sea level. The country receives significant rainfall during the rainy season that lasts from September to December and from March to the end of May.
Airports
Kigali International Airport formerly referred to as Gregoire Kayibanda International Airport is the primary airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It is located in the suburb of Kanombe, approximately 5 km east of the central business district of the city of Kigali.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Rwanda, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Rwanda Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 10 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 12 |
| Low °C | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| High °F | 50 | 50 | 54 | 63 | 70 | 77 | 81 | 82 | 77 | 68 | 59 | 54 |
| Low °F | 37 | 37 | 41 | 48 | 55 | 63 | 68 | 68 | 61 | 54 | 46 | 41 |
I COULD LIVE THERE.
After my experience in Nigeria Rwanda feels like a heaven.
Safe
Rwanda Is Safe
Safe
I agree. It is surely one of the safest countries in Africa.
RWANDA=SAFE
GOOGLE SAYS ITS THE SAFEST AFRICAN COUNTRY I CO-AGREE
Mongoloid
Safest African country. The keyword is African. Africa is the least safe continent you mongoloid.
Hotel Rwanda
This country sucks donkey balls. Go to Asia or something. What are you even doing in Africa?
Ur weird
Rwanda is so safe I thnk you’re wrong.
Safer than you would think
Rwanda was safer than I expected. It´s not called the Singapore of Africa for nothing, as the streetscapes of Kigali are actually clean and the landscapes are exceptionally beautiful. I recommend Rwanda for all kinds of travellers!
Beautiful
Rwanda is exceptionally beautiful country and the climate is almost perfect.
Safer than you would think
Rwanda was safer than I expected. It´s not called the Singapore of Africa for nothing, as the streetscapes of Kigali are actually clean and the landscapes are exceptionally beautiful. I highly recommend Rwanda for all kinds of travellers!
Don't believe everything you read on the internet!
I lived in many countries but no country has made me safe like Rwanda! And I never saw the temper in Rwanda go below 17 degrees. The writer suggesting 7 degrees shows how fake his info are especially being a country close to the equator!
I visited Kigali Rwanda in late 2019 before Covid. I was traveling at a solo traveler senior citizenound. I found it to be safer than most U.S. cities. It is extremely clean and the areas near the converntion center are well lighted. Kigali is a beautiful green city which has shown much progress since the Genocide. I used an independent taxi system recommened by web sources and the airbng where I stayed. The only problem I encountered was, as is true in many African countries, there is a much slower pace about doing things. I strongly suggest you look at current YouTube videos on Rwanda/Kigali to get a true picture of what it has to offer.
Quite safe, even during the night
Rwanda is the first and only African country I’ve had the pleasure of visiting so far..
Gorilla trekkings are an absolute must, I felt like Jane Goodall, amazing creatures! They cost quite a lot but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I had to do some digging before booking as I wanted to make sure I won’t get ripped off. Golden Rwanda Safaris checked all the boxes and indeed, the level of professionalism was worth the extra money.
Regardless why you’re visiting Rwanda, never go out on your own, especially in the jungle. While the most frequent incidents in touristy areas are minor petty thefts no one can guarantee your safety in the wilderness of the jungle.
They have a rather low crime rate, this is why you always see Rwanda pop up as a very safe country. I’m no expert so this is just my personal opinion, but just like with any other countries, the driving force behind almost all criminal incidents seems to be the fact that this is a very poor country.
I always do a bit of research before visiting a new country and I think this should be a must for everyone. I knew they have a very clean country but it never crossed my mind that they could fine you if you have a plastic bag in your luggage. I appreciate the intention but I think this might be taking it one step too far, just asking me to throw it away would be enough.
The locals were a mix of friendly and kinda not wanting us there. It’s a lottery, as with a lot of other countries. However, we don’t tend to engage in conversations by ourselves so I wouldn’t count this as a drawback.
Kigali is known for its colorful nightlife, we’ve spent several nights partying until the morning hours without witnessing anything other than the usual public intoxications.
Rwanda is the 9th Safe country in the world currently!
Rwanda is very safe
for this I’m not agree with you
So… How Safe Is Rwanda Really?
came and see