Visit Rwanda Tips With Go Self drive Rwanda
Here are the seven things you must know before embarking on your Rwanda tour as Rwanda is still healing from its devastating and complex history that destroyed an entire people.
1. Put Rwanda’s history into perspective when planning a Rwanda visit
The Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali documents the genocide through written and video testimonials, photographs, and physical remnants of weapons used and possessions destroyed.
There are mass graves of over 250,000 people at the memorial. You can spend hours in the museum, hoping to understand the intricacies of fear and identity and the role of the colonial powers that contextualize the tragic massacre of a million civilians in 100 days.
This year marks the 26th anniversary of this human disaster. The most humbling thing to remember is how far Rwanda has come to reconcile and rebuild itself.
You ought to be very sensitive when asking questions on this topic. It is very easy to trigger offense and bitterness even when your intentions were simply to get clarity. If you have any questions, it is better to only ask them at the genocide memorial. It is not worth being talked about at your lodge or in the market place.
2.Sit down and speak to the locals
When you first arrive in Kigali, you will get the unjust impression that Rwandans are withdrawn. Although there is an air of seriousness in a country that is still in healing, the feeling will change quickly after being exposed to the gentle hearts and thoughtfulness of people.
Only when you begin to engage and consciously listen, can you learn about the values and knowledge of a culture. There is a famous story about the intashya bird that weaves its nest under the roof. “If a guest or visitor destroys the nests they will return to rebuild it no matter how many times it is destroyed, without fail but if bird itself destroys it, they will never come back.”
It will be with people that your vivid memories of Rwanda remain. The stories of their struggles. Their view on the cultural differences and what their perception of human rights is. It is these moments that will make your trip standout from what other beyond the attractions that Rwanda has to offer.
3. Try out the local foods and drink
Rwanda’s food consists primarily of beans, bananas, and potatoes, with sorghum being a staple. The cuisine offers variety and nutrition, and it tastes delicious. Curries with dal and chapattis are a specialty too. In the cities, it’s common to find sticks of goat meat roasting over charcoal burners.
If you are new to Rwanda, you could be wondering where exactly you should go to get food or a drink with lower risks of getting disappointed with the service. Off the streets there is a great selection of restaurants offering hearty and healthy dishes.
Ten-to-Two is a treasure that sits on the hills of Kacyiru, offering whole fish, basted and grilled on an open fire. Head there before the sun goes down for your food to be ready by dinnertime. It’s at least an hour’s wait, but well worth the feast and panoramic views.
For a unique combination of ingredients and instant service try Meze Fresh in Nyamirambo, a Mexican-Rwandan burrito bar where you can customize your order as it is prepared in front of you.
Besides an impressive menu, Rwanda boasts award-winning beer called Skol and specialty coffee that is being used by big coffee houses such as Starbucks.
4. Go salsa dancing
Salsa is not a Rwandan dance, but in every part of the world, you will find different ways of doing the same thing. The Pasadena Bar in the Gikondo region of Kigali is the place to be on a Thursday night. Each week the Afro-Caribbean inspired hall draws together a hodgepodge of age and culture, from seasoned shakers to left-footed beginners for a marathon of uninterrupted salsa dancing.
Dancers align behind the master of rhythm Jimmy Rudahunga, on the same dance floor where he learned to salsa over ten years ago. Patrons follow him as he builds onto the basic left-foot-forward, right-foot-back movements with smooth sidestepping and spinning tricks.
The atmosphere is joyous, the energy is contagious, and by the end of the night you probably will have swapped partners with most people in the room. The more shy-footed can swig Skol and enjoy some good conversation while admiring the music and movement. The night gets into full swing at about 10pm, and I recommend stopping by Papyrus in Kimihurura for a rooftop drink and unfolding views of Kigali below.
5. Visit Rwanda Kimironko Market
Kigali’s Kimironko Market is a sensory rush of bright colours and strong smells.
The market houses plantations of fresh food, fruit and vegetables are laid out on tables and stacked to the ceiling. Patrons pick and choose what they need. Don’t forget to try the tamarillo (tree tomato), a fruit with a slightly bitter and explosive taste; it’s also great for making jam.
In the second half of the market you will find a variety of traditional and second hand clothes. Most people’s favorite part is walking in between the exquisite fabrics draped from stall to stall where vivid colors collide with geometric shapes and animals. With so many beautifully crafted textiles, It might get difficult to choose which one to take home with you.
6. See Rwanda’s Art Renaissance at the Ivuka Arts Centre
The surge of public art that has cropped up over the last few years is incredible and in part attributed to organizations like Ivuka Arts and its collaboration with local emerging artists and other community-based projects. Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga means to Create to See, to Learn, and is an expression-based public arts initiative urging people to address the current discourse of Aids through creativity and the deconstruction of stigma.
It was only about a year ago that the first large-scale mural was approved for painting on a ten-story hospital building on the streets of Kigali. The mural served as a catalyst for the public art scene in the city, with many more being curated by local artists and the emergence of a new voice, one a part from the usual government slogans and advertising boards.
Ivuka Arts invites local artists to do a residency where they hone their craft, experiment with media, and form a community of support and learning with other artists. The atmosphere is beautiful, with open studio spaces looking over lush green hills, and there is constant life with the Rwandan Dance Troop singing and drumming.
The walls are draped with magnificent art and sculptures made from up-cycled materials. The centre is always open for visitors to stop by and browse the gallery or watch the community practice their dance and drumming performances. This is something worthwhile including on your Rwanda itinerary.
7. Gorilla trekking Rwanda
Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park doesn’t come cheaply, but it’s good to know that the US$1500 you fork out for this adventure is going towards the preservation of these magnificent creatures.
With only about 5 metres between you, you are able to observe the complex social behavior of the animals, picking up on each one’s distinct personality. Interestingly, a lot of the rangers were former poaches who have been educated on the significance of the animals and now depend on them for their livelihoods, acting as their passionate guardians.
The biggest threat to mountain gorillas in Rwanda is the destruction of their natural habitat by a growing and largely agricultural population.
The surrounding town of Musanze is very charming, scattered with great restaurants and every building is decorated with beautiful hand-painted signage. You can also visit the hotel where Diane Fossey lived during her pivotal research on mountain gorillas. Her room remains largely intact.
Consider travelling in the low season to secure discount offers on car rentals as well as Rwanda safaris. Visit Rwanda today with go self drive rwanda
