Rwanda tours & travel

 

Capital city	Kigali
Population	12 Million
Language	Kinyarwanda, French, English
Currency	Rwandan franc (RWF)
Time zone	(GMT+02:00) Windhoek
Electricity	Type C (European 2-pin) Type J (Swiss 3-pin)
Dialling code	+250

 

 

The people of Rwanda are known as the Banyarwanda, and they consist of three tribes: the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa. Rwanda also has a history of social hierarchy, where the Tutsi were the dominant tribe and the Hutu were the agriculturalists. Although most people are Christian, they often conflate traditional beliefs with Christian rituals. Music, especially large orchestral drumming and dance, is an important part of folk culture. Etiquette is also important in daily life, as women and children let men eat first at the table, and people avoid eye contact when showing respect for superiors. 

Rwanda is a tiny country in central Africa just south of the equator. Its neighbours include Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the country is part of the African Great Lakes region. Most of Rwanda is on at a high altitude, and there are significant mountainous areas, including the Albertine Rift Mountains. Rwanda also has large expanses of savannah, and it has three major forested areas which are all national parks. The country is famous for its rare gorilla population and diversity of bird species. 

Taking a trip through Rwanda’s local markets can turn up some great mementos from the region. Classic handicraft items include traditional woven baskets, wooden masks and figures. Take a bit of Rwanda’s musical heritage home with you, by purchasing tribal drums and other musical instruments. You’ll also find traditionally beautifully died batik fabrics, scarves and bags and beaded jewellery made by the locals. Be sure to check with your country's customs before bringing anything back with you. 

Gorilla Naming Ceremony

When a child is born, Rwandans gather to recommend names for the baby. This ceremony takes the tradition and applies it to newborn gorillas, with additional performances of traditional dancing and drumming.

Hillywood Film Festival

Established to compete with Nigeria’s flourishing film industry, Rwanda’s preeminent film festival showcases local cinema as well as films produced across the African continent.

KigaliUp!

The Rwandan Music Festival is one of the biggest events in the capital. It brings together traditional music and performance, as well as novel genres like hiphop and R&B. 

Rwandan cuisine is made up of local ingredients and recipes, as well as colonial influences from the German and Belgian people. Simple meals consist of a ubugari (cassava or maize porridge staple) served with dried fish or vegetables. Brochettes (barbecued skewers) made with goat, tripe, beef or fish are popularly served at restaurants with beverages like ikivuguto (fermented milk), or beer. The special urwagwa (sorghum or banana beer) is traditionally used in ceremonies. 

• We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch
• Gorillas in the Mist by Dr Dian Fossey
• A Thousand Hills by Stephen Kinzer
• Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza
• An Ordinary Man: The True Story Behind Hotel Rwanda by Paul Rusesabagina