Rwanda

Rwanda is a relatively stable East Africa|East African country, and easily accessible from Kenya and Uganda. It is relatively easy, safe and simple to travel around. It is landlocked, surrounded by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.

Rwanda is not only the land of a thousand hills, but also a country rich in flora and fauna and stunning natural beauty in its scenic rolling and breathtaking green savannah. The country hosts some rare species of animals like the silverback mountain gorillas as well as unique birds and insects in the tropical forest of Nyungwe.

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Cities

-1.93|29.84|zoom=8 Kigali GPS -1.9686111, 30.0605556. The capital city.

|type=city Byumba GPS -1.577, 30.065

• Rusizi - formerly Cyangugu | -2.4833, 28.896 -

Rubavu formerly Gisenyi GPS -1.6951, 29.3485 Huye formerly Butare GPS -2.604, 29.741 Kibungo GPS -2.16091, 30.54374 Kibuye|Karongi formerly Kibuye GPS -2.0500, 29.3500 Muhanga formerly Gitarama GPS -2.084, 29.753 Musanze formerly Ruhengeri GPS -1.500, 29.634}}

(Cities were renamed a few years ago when the administrative structure of Rwanda was re-vamped. The former names refer to old provincial capitals. Expect people to use either name listed to refer to these cities.)

Rwanda Halal Travel Guide

Rwanda has come a long way since the civil war and genocide of 1994 devastated this tiny country. Shake off your memories of war and expect a warm and friendly welcome to a beautiful country.

History

Hunter gatherers settled the territory in the stone and iron ages, followed later by Bantu peoples. The population coalesced first into clans and then into kingdoms. The Kingdom of Rwanda dominated from the mid-eighteenth century, with the Tutsi kings conquering others militarily and centralising power. The Tutsi and the Hutu shared a common language, religion and culture, and originally referred to different social classes, though Europeans would later introduce the concept of them being different ethnic groups during the colonial era.

The Rwandan capital is also easily accessible (3 hours by road) from the Goma airstrip in DRC.

Travel on a Bus in Rwanda

• In Uganda, many bus companies make the 8-10 hour journey from Kampala in Uganda to Kigali. As 2015, it costs RWF8,000 from Kigali to Kampala on Horizon. Jaguar charges RWF6,000-8,000 - early buses are cheaper. The most reliable bus company is Kampala coaches, Jaguar and Ontracom from Rwanda.
• Tanzania has one open border with Rwanda, but this is a far more difficult way to enter Rwanda due to the remoteness and lack of roads in western Tanzania. A bus runs from Mwanza to Benako (both Tanzania) and from Benako buses run onto Kigali. Another town to consider on this route is Ngara (Tanzania).

Several buses run from Dar es Salaam via Morogoro and Dodoma (they all leave Ubungo bus station around 06:00-07:00) to Kahama daily. You will have to spend the night in Kahama and then get a shuttle van or shared taxi on to the border crossing. From the Rwandan side of the border and there are shuttle vanes to Kigali.

• In Burundi and there are two ways to enter from Rwanda, and security in the border areas varies. For the intrepid and there is a daily direct service from Kigali to Bujumbura operated by Yahoo Car, and a "luxury" service operated by Belvedere Lines. If there are security concerns on the Bujumbura - Huye - Kigali route, it is also feasible to go along the road bordering (but not entering) DRC. You will probably have to do this in a series of shuttle vanes via Cibitoke, Bugerama|Bugarama (Rwanda) and Cyangugu (Rwanda). With both of these routes, check the security situation with your embassy (the Belgian embassy has the best information).
• For Democratic Republic of the Congo, much of the nation remains off limits to many visitors due to instability, though Goma and Bukavu can be visited easily from Rwanda.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Rwanda

There are no trains in Rwanda.

How to get around in Rwanda

Rwanda Road - Countryside road in Rwanda

Short distances can be travelled either on foot, or by taxi-velo (bicycle taxi). Taxi-velos are widespread, and are relatively affordable but not allowed in urban areas. A taxi-velo driver will cycle, and the passenger will sit rather precariously on the back.

Motorcycle taxis (taxi-moto) are also popular, especially in Kigali, a normal journey will cost from USD1-2. If you look like a foreigner and are walking on the primary street, drivers will probably come up to you to offer a ride. Most of the drivers speak only very basic English or French, if they speak any.

Taxis are less common, and are best found at taxi stations, by waiting at the taxi sign at bus stops, or by calling them. They are significantly more expensive, even short rides cost #Money|FRw2,000, and longer rides can be FRw5,000 or more.

Slightly longer distances, indeed the whole country, can be travelled by Matatu (or Twegerane, literally let get closer). These white shuttle vanes are found throughout East Africa, and are crammed full of adults, children, and anything else you can think of (bags, chickens).

Local Language in Rwanda

Kinyarwanda is an official language and the main spoken language in Rwanda. It is also spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in southern Uganda. Kinyarwanda is a tonal language of the Bantu language family, closely related to Kirundi spoken in the neighboring country Burundi and much more distantly related to other Bantu languages such as Swahili phrasebook|Swahili.

In addition to Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's three other official languages are English, French, and Swahili phrasebook|Swahili. While French was the former language of administration under Belgian colonial rule, since the civil war the Rwandan government has moved away from the Francophone sphere of influence and and officially switched the primary language of education to English in 2008. As a result of this, older people were educated in Rwanda tend to have some knowledge of French, while the younger generation will have better knowledge of English. Complicating this is the large number of returned refugees who were educated in neighboring countries. Those educated in nearby Anglophone countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya) tend to know English while those educated in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Burundi will know French. Swahili phrasebook|Swahili was made an additional official language in 2015 and a required subject in the school curriculum as a result of its membership within the East African Community. Swahili is also widely spoken among traders and returned refugees from Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of Congo.

What to see in Rwanda

Kigali Memorial Centre 4 - Genocide Memorial site in Kigali

• National Museum of Butare - ☎ +250 252 553131 | Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 FRw3,000 for foreigners; FRw2,000 for foreign residents. Extra charge for photography. In Huye – National Museum of Rwanda

• The Genocide Memorial in Kigali – good insight into one of the world's greatest tragedies. It's free to walk around but audio guides are USD 17. Tour guides can be hired for small groups. )
• The Nyamata Genocide Memorial is a worthwhile complement to the Gisozi Memorial Centre in Kigali. Located in the town of Nyamata, 40 minutes south of Kigali on a newly paved road and the memorial is in a church where over 10,000 people were killed during the 1994 genocide. Visitors take a short tour and see the evidence of the genocide that remains there today - victims' clothing piled on benches and the roof pockmarked with bullet holes, and the open crypts behind the church that hold the remains of over 40,000 people from the area. An extremely moving look into one of the places where the genocide was carried out. If you wish to take photographs of the site, you will need to purchase a permit in Kigali before travelling to Nyamata. It is open 7 days per week and is free to visit. Donations are encouraged as they receive little support from the government.
• The Ntarama Genocide Memorial, just 20 minutes away from the Nyamata memorial, is also worth visiting. Like the Nyamata memorial, this site was a church before the genocide, and was nationalised to serve as a memorial after thousands of people were killed within its walls. The church itself is different than Nyamata, with victims' clothing eerily displayed from the rafters of the church as a grim reminder of what happened there. Visitors can see large chunks of the outer wall missing, where grenades were used to force entry. Ntarama also has a peaceful memorial garden and wall of names in the back of its compound. Ask the resident guide for a tour in English or French, and remember to give them a donation for the site afterwards; it gets almost no support from the government. To get there, take the highway from Kigali to Nyamata and follow the signs for the Ntarama memorial, before you reach Nyamata. It is open 7 days per week and is free to visit. Donations are encouraged as they receive little support from the government.

Best things to do in Rwanda

• Lake Kivu GPS -2.050, 29.211. A large lake bordering the DRC, it's a nice place to relax for a week or so. Lake_Kivu,_boats - Lake_Kivu}}

Rwanda has 3 national parks: Akagera National Park GPS -1.649, 30.749 - Akagera_National_Park Parc_National_d%27Akagera.jpg|1280px]] Volcanoes National Park GPS -1.461, 29.488 - Volcanoes_National_Park RwandaVolcanoAndLake_cropped.jpg. Home to the mountain gorillas, this park spreads into Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. The setting for Special:Booksources/061808360X|Gorillas in the Mist, author Dian Fossey's research. If you can afford it, it's an excellent experience, and even feasible as a daytrip from Kigali|Inquire at the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN), Boulevard de la Révolution n° 1, Kigaliphone=+(250) 576514 or 573396 - USD1500 per person (2022). Besides that, you will have to take an official taxi which costs another USD80. @}} Nyungwe National Park GPS -2.532, 29.251 - Nyungwe_Forest RwandaNyungwe.JPG

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Rwanda

Money Matters & ATM's in Rwanda

The currency is the Rwandan franc (franc rwandais, Kinyarwanda: Ifaranga ry'u Rwanda), denoted by the symbols "FRw" or "RF" or "R₣" (ISO currency code of RWF (sometimes displayed as FRw, and possibly RF or R₣).

The smallest-value note is a FRw500 note, which is the smallest note in physical size, as well. There are also notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000, with the larger notes becoming slightly larger in physical size. There are no generally-circulated notes over FRw5,000, which can be cumbersome since a FRw5,000 note is roughly equivalent to USD8. Since few places in Rwanda accept credit cards, visitors will need to carry a large amount of cash if travelling outside of Kigali, especially if staying longer than a few days.

Coins valued at FRw100 are commonly used. However, smaller coins (FRw50, 20, 10, 5, and 1) are generally not accepted by street merchants and smaller restaurants and hotels. The only place to obtain smaller coins is through a bank or a large store, such as a supermarket. It's common for most businesses in Rwanda, including currency exchangers and gas stations, to round transactions to the nearest FRw100.

You get a slightly better exchange rates by bringing USD80 bills or higher (year 2006 or newer) to exchange for Rwandan francs.

There are ATMs all over Rwanda. Depending on your bank, this can be a much cheaper way to get francs because the ATMs use a much better exchange rate than the money changers. Master card, Visa card, Union pay, Amex cards, Diners club, JCB card are accepted at Bank of Kigali, Equity bank, Ecobank, Kenya Commercial Bank. GT Bank.

Halal Restaurants in Rwanda

Kigali buffet - Filled plate at a buffet restaurant in Kigali

The local "Brochettes" (kebabs) are delicious and are available in most restaurants. Small bars will primarily serve goat brochettes, and goat liver brochettes are often of higher quality to the local residents. Zingalo is goat intestine, sometimes also served as a brochette. Some local residents prefer this and it could be brought to you without asking at very "local" places, so try to see whether other diners seem to be enjoying the spiral looking treat and specify you do not want it when you order ("OYA zingalo") Some restaurants also serve beef and fish brochettes, and a few will serve Chicken. Brochettes are usually served with french fries ("frites") or fried or grilled ibitoke.

If Rwanda has a staple food, it is ibitoke (sing. igitoke). Ibitoke are starchy, potato-like bananas, which are not sweet like plantains. While plantains are available in Rwanda and they are not seen as particularly Rwandan food. Igitoke/banana are served boiled in Sauces, grilled, or even fried. You can also refer to them as matoke, which is usually easier for foreigners to pronounce. The sweet bananas in Rwanda are delicious but considerably smaller than the matoke bananas. If you want this type of banana, ask for small banana or sweet banana. In urban areas a local buffet known as "Melange" is sold at lunchtime. This consists of a buffet of mostly carbohydrates such as potatoes, bananas, Rice and cassava accompanied with some vegetables, beans, and a small amount of Meat or fish with Sauces. Rwandan buffets are not all you can eat. You may fill your plate only once, and with training you'll be able to stack your plate high like the local residents do. Prices range from just over USD1 to USD8 or even USD 17 depending on the grade of the restaurant and the variety of food. Most of the upper segment buffets (USD7 and above) also offer a salad buffet. Many of the cheaper Melange places are unmarked.

Kigali has a much better range of Halal restaurants than the rest of the nation including Indian, Chinese, Italian, Greek, French and multi-cuisine restaurants. An evening meal is typically around USD 17. In most shops you will find milk, water, juices and soft drinks. In most bars the choice is limited to their offering of about 5 different soft drinks and 4 different soft drinks, Turbo King, Primus, Mützig and Amstel. Primus and Mützig are available in small and large sizes, whereas Amstel is available only in 330 ml bottles. Rwandans are known for their fondness for large soft drinks and when you order Amstel, it is common for a server to bring out 2 bottles at a time. Bralirwa in the west of the Rwanda produces most of the organic juice and soft drinks available in Rwanda. Inyange produces juices and soft drinks.

There are also local banana organic juice preparations called Urwagwa, normally brewed at home and available only in plastic containers but now also sold in bottles at some shops and bars.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Rwanda

Rwanda - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Rwanda, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Rwanda. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Rwanda and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Rwanda. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Rwanda. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inRwanda: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Rwanda.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Rwanda: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Rwanda, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Rwanda.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Rwanda, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Rwanda, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Rwanda and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Rwanda, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Rwanda, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Rwanda without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Rwanda is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Rwanda.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Rwanda is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Rwanda, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Rwanda Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Rwanda

eHalal Group Rwanda is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Rwanda. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Rwanda.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Rwanda ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Rwanda. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Rwanda, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Rwanda are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Accommodation is usually fairly basic and significantly more expensive than neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. Very basic accommodation will cost US$8-20.

A few nice hotels can be found in Kigali and the most famous of which is the "Hotel des Milles Collines", as featured in the film Hotel Rwanda. Film buffs hoping to stay in the film set will be disappointed though, as the film was produced in South Africa. The hotel is now open after extensive renovation. Most hotels in Kigali cost above are in US$50 per day, although there are a few bargains if you look around.

There is a relatively affordable hotel run by Catholic nuns called St Paul is in the centre of the city. It's located behind the church by the same name across from the roundabout. Has twin beds, without en suite bathroom.

Lake Kivu: Kibuye:

There is a fairly affordable hotel called Home Saint Jean (phone number: 0252 568 526) in Kibuye. They have dorms and superior Muslim friendly rooms.

The Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel is Kigali is a good place for backpackers.

Stay Safe

Giraffe Safari - Flickr - askmeaks - Giraffes in Akagera National Park

Tourists are usually welcomed warmly in Rwanda, and the nation is largely considered safe for visitors. The feasible exceptions are certain places along the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese and Burundian borders. Rwandan troops rumoured to be involved in the civil war that still plagues the northeast of Democratic Republic of the Congo, mainly due to the presence of Interhamwe who fled after the 1994 genocide. Gisenyi and Kibuye are considered safe, but the border situation can change at any time: check Foreign Office information and local sources for further advice.

Gorilla trekking near to the DRC border is considered safe, due to the large and continuous Rwandan army presence.

While travelling in matutus (taxis) in the nationside, don't be surprised if the matutu drives through several police/military check-points. This is done to check IDs, vehicle registration and insurance, so it would be wise to bring at least a photocopy of passport with you everywhere you go in Rwanda.

Medical Issues in Rwanda

Tap water is not drinkable.

The following is an excerpt from the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on Rwanda updated on 1 Dec 2006:

Medical and dental facilities are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. Travellers should bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. In Kigali, Americans may go to King Faycal Hospital, a private facility that offers limited services. There is also a missionary dental clinic in Kigali staffed by an American dentist. An American-operated missionary hospital with some surgical facilities is in Kibagora, in southwestern Rwanda. Another hospital with American physicians is in Ruhengeri, near the gorilla trekking area, and a Chinese hospital is in southeastern Rwanda in Kibungo. There is also a very good hospital near Lac Muhazi, where even people from Kigali go to. The US Embassy maintains a current list of healthcare providers and facilities in Rwanda. This list is included in the Consular Section’s welcome packets for American citizens. There are periodic outbreaks of meningitis in Rwanda. Yellow fever can cause serious medical problems, but the vaccine, required for entry, is very effective in preventing the disease. HIV/AIDS is high among adults at 9% or 1 in 11. Practice safe sex. Avoid intravenous drug use.

Cope

Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) , Boulevard de la Révolution no 1, Kigali ☎ +250 576 514 or 573 396

Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Canada
53 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0N8, Canada
☎ +1 613 569-5420

• Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the UK
  

120-22 Seymour Place, London W1H 1NR, UK
☎ +44 20 7224 9832

• Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the USA
  

1714 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
☎ (202) 232 2882

Local Customs in Rwanda

Nyamata Memorial Site 13 - Skulls in Nyamata Memorial Site

Rwanda is a very conservative society, and most people dress modestly, especially women. Wearing shorts or tight skirts and skimpy tops is likely to get you stared at twice as much as normal.

It is unusual for a couple to make public displays of affection, even though many men walk hand in hand with male friends. Also, Rwandans will generally never eat or drink in public, apart from restaurants. Rwandan women are rarely seen smoking in public or out in bars unaccompanied.

Although there is no smoking ban in most public places like restaurants, generally it's not encouraged. Sometimes people may complain of being disturbed with people's smoking.

Rwandans are very private, reserved people and loud public confrontations (shouting matches) or obvious displays of emotion (such as crying) are also frowned upon. If you feel you are being overcharged by a trader, quietly persisting with the negotiation (or your complaint!) is likely to produce results much faster than an angry outburst.

It is also impolite to make eye contact with an elder.

Please understand that Rwanda is still recovering from a civil war and genocide in which over 800,000 people, perhaps a million, were killed. Many Rwandese lost relatives and friends. Remember to be sensitive to this sad fact when dealing with Rwandese. Most people today are trying to forget the tribal divisions and would rather be referred to as Rwandese than Hutu or Tutsi. It is considered impolite to ask someone about their ethnic origin.

There is not much political discourse in Rwanda, unlike in many neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Kenya where people talk freely about the government and political issues, people in Rwanda will be uncomfortable if asked about their views or even if seated at a table where national politics is discussed.

Telecommunications in Rwanda

Internet Cafe's in Rwanda

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