Why visit
Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park, mountain-gorilla trekking, a remarkable Kigali, and Lake Kivu. A short, high-impact East Africa itinerary.
Country - Africa
Rwanda
natureadventureculture
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Rwanda works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Kigali as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Rwanda.
At a glance
Location
-2.0°, 30.0°
Coast
Landlocked
Country area
26,338 km²
10,169 mi²
Country population
14.0 million
532/km²
Subregion
Eastern Africa
Currency
Rwandan franc (Fr)
RWF
Dial
+250
Languages
English, French, Kinyarwanda
Demonym
Rwandan
Internet
.rw
UN
Member state
ISO code
RW / RWA
Where in the world
-2.0° - 30.0°
Rwanda
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Rwanda banned plastic bags in 2008: one of the first countries in the world to do so.
- Kigali is regularly ranked as one of the cleanest capital cities in Africa.
- Nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.
Bordering Rwanda
Traveler notes
- Gorilla permits are $1,500 and limited daily
- Kigali is one of Africa's cleanest, safest capitals
- Plastic bags are banned. Use cloth
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Kigali, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Rwanda
What is the capital of Rwanda?
Kigali is the capital of Rwanda.
What currency does Rwanda use?
Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc (Fr), ISO code RWF.
What languages are spoken in Rwanda?
The primary languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.
Is Rwanda landlocked?
Yes, Rwanda is landlocked: it has no sea coastline.
What countries border Rwanda?
Rwanda borders Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda.
What is the international calling code for Rwanda?
The calling code is +250.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Africa destinations
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic holds Dzanga-Sangha, where forest elephants and western lowland gorillas gather at jungle clearings. Ongoing instability means the few visitors who come fly directly into the reserve with specialist operators.
Chad
Chad's far north hides the Ennedi Plateau, a sandstone labyrinth of arches and gueltas, and the Lakes of Ounianga, a UNESCO chain of desert lakes. Zakouma National Park in the south has staged one of Africa's great elephant recoveries.
Comoros
The Comoros are three volcanic islands between Madagascar and Mozambique, scented with ylang-ylang and vanilla. Mount Karthala, one of the world's largest active volcanoes, dominates Grande Comore.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo protects some of the most intact rainforest on earth. Odzala-Kokoua National Park offers serious western lowland gorilla tracking from a handful of high-end camps, with Brazzaville as a relaxed river-capital gateway.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo contains Virunga, Africa's oldest national park, mountain gorillas, and Nyiragongo's lava-lake volcano. Security in the east fluctuates sharply and access opens and closes accordingly.
Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire pairs Abidjan's lagoon-side energy with surf at Assinie, the colonial quarter of Grand-Bassam, and the world's largest church dome in Yamoussoukro. Comoé and Taï national parks protect West African rainforest.