Rwanda

Model country on the African continent

Rwanda has developed into a dynamic, future-oriented democratic state. Significant progress has been made in the areas of health, social security, and education. The economy is developing positively. However, many problems still need to be addressed. More than 60 percent of Rwanda's population is between the ages of 14 and 35. Demographic trends pose a major challenge for Rwanda's future.

The people of Rwanda are warm, cheerful, and extremely hospitable. They are interested in the lives of their visitors and enjoy sharing stories about themselves and about life in Rwanda today and in the past. During the 1994 genocide, more than a million people were killed in 100 days. The Rwandan population has learned from this. Today, all Rwandans live together peacefully and non-violently, regardless of their former ethnic affiliation. There is no longer any ethnic division. Their motto is: We are Rwandans!

IMPRESSIONEN SOZIALE BILDUNGSREISEN

Hilfsprojekt "We share Handcraft" EURWanda e.V.

The land of a thousand hills

Rwanda is the smallest and one of the safest countries in the heart of Africa, yet boasts an extraordinary wealth of flora and fauna in its five national parks. The country boasts breathtakingly beautiful and diverse landscapes and is known as the "land of a thousand hills." The protection of natural resources and the habitats of people and animals is a top priority and is consistently pursued in the spirit of sustainability. A plastic bag ban has been in place in Rwanda since 2004.

RUANDA

RUANDA - VIDEOGALERIE

Travel & safety information

Rwanda

Form of government: presidential republic

Location: Central Africa - Area: 26,338 km²

Population: approx. 13 million inhabitants

Ethnicities: Hutu (84%), Tutsi (15%), Twa (1%)

Religions: Catholics (44%), Protestants (38%), Adventists (12%), Muslims (6%)

Languages: French, Kinyarwanda, English and Swahili

National anthem: Rwanda nziza gihugu cyacu

Geography: Karisimbi (highest mountain - 4,507 m), Kagera (longest river - 850 km), Lake Kivu (largest lake - 2,650 km²)

Wildlife: antelopes, mountain gorillas, buffalo, eland, elephants, hippos, hyenas, impalas, wild cats, leopards, lions, Maasai giraffes, Nile crocodiles, chimpanzees, topi, waterbuck, zebras and civets

Time difference to CET + 1 h

Capital: Kigali

Security

Violent crime is rare, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and thefts from cars and hotel rooms are on the rise. In the immediate border areas with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as onward travel to these countries, there is a risk of attacks by armed gangs. The same applies to the border area with Uganda in the north of the country.

Keep money, ID cards, driver's license and other important documents safe.
Only take the cash you need for the day and no unnecessary valuables.
Be especially alert and keep an eye on your valuables in large crowds such as at airports, bus stations, on buses or at events.
Be skeptical of unusual emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, and requests for help from supposed acquaintances. Do not share any personal information; instead, verify the identity of the person in question in person or contact the police.

Travel information

Infrastructure/Transportation: The public transport network is well-developed . Due to frequently poor road conditions and the risky driving behavior of other road users, car journeys inland should generally only be undertaken during daylight hours. All road users, including pedestrians, must observe that official convoys have right of way; other road users must stop on the right side of the road and wait until the entire convoy has passed.

Driving license: The international driving license is required and is only valid in conjunction with the national German driving license.

LGBTIQ: Homosexuality is not a criminal offense. However, same-sex relationships are not socially acceptable. Please note the general information for LGBTIQ .

ANTI-PLASTIC LAW

Legal specifics:

Insulting officials can lead to prison sentences of several weeks; legal representation will then be necessary.
Kigali Airport, bridges, government buildings and military installations are not allowed to be photographed.
Concoubinage (the permanent cohabitation of unmarried persons, at least one of whom is married) is prohibited by a still valid regulation from 1988 and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.
Rwandan criminal law provides for fines and/or imprisonment for sexual contact with persons under 18 years of age (minors).

Money/Credit Cards: The national currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF). Cash should only be exchanged in banks, hotels, or foreign exchange offices. We recommend bringing EUR or USD notes, provided they are new (from 2009 onwards). These can be easily exchanged. In addition, RWF can be withdrawn from ATMs using credit or debit cards. Fees may vary depending on the bank. Some businesses only accept cashless payments. Services must be paid for with "Momo" ("mobile money").

Sights

Nature: Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu, Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp, Mt. Kigali, Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, Nyandungu Eco-Park, Rusumo Falls, Nyamyumba Hot Springs, Gorilla Trek Africa, Wild Wonders Africa, Mount Bisoke, Les Chutes de Ndaba, Hill of Remera,

Galleries, Arts & Crafts: Niyo Art Gallery, Inema Art Center, Choose Kigali Art Gallery, Ivuka Arts Kigali, Mama Rwanda Village, Kigali Arts Center, Tongo Art Gallery, Inshuti Arts and Culture Center, Yego Arts studio, Abien Arts Center, The National Art Gallery, Kigali Soul Gallery, Indiba Arts Space, Np Art Gallery, MADS Kigali, Iteme Arts Space, Rural African Art Gallery

Museums & Memorials: Rwanda Liberation Museum, Murugo Cultural Centre, Kandt House Museum, Ethnographic Museum Rwanda, Rwanda Art Museum, Museum of Environment, Kigali Genocide Memorial, Murambi Genocide Memorial Center, Campaign Against Genocide Museum, Bisesero Genocide Memorial, Camp Kigali Memorial

Architecture: Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali City Tower, Parliament, Intare Conference Arena

Markets: Kimironko Market, Nyabugogo Marche Market, Kigali City Market

Culture & Religion: The Royal Palace, 1000 Hills Distillery, Iby'iwacu Cultural Village, Muslim Quarter, Ntarama Church, Palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine, Saint-Famille Church, Butare catholic Cathedral, Mwima Mausoleum

Customs clearance

Entry and customs regulations for German citizens can change at short notice without prior notification to the Federal Foreign Office. Therefore, please also check with the diplomatic missions of your destination country in advance. Only there will you receive legally binding information and/or information on the entry and customs regulations of your destination country that goes beyond these guidelines.

You can find the customs regulations for Germany on the German customs website and via the Customs and Travel app, or inquire by phone.

Travel documents: Entry is possible for German citizens with the following documents:

Passport: Yes
Provisional passport: Yes
Identity card: No
Provisional identity card: No
Child's passport: Yes

Notes/Minimum remaining validity: Travel documents must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel upon entry. Individual airlines' requirements regarding the documents their passengers must carry may differ from government regulations. Further information can be obtained from the respective airline.

Visa: German citizens require a visa to enter Rwanda. Visas for entry to Rwanda can be applied for and paid for either online or upon arrival at the airport. The fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 30 days is approximately USD 50, and for a multiple-entry visa for a stay of 90 days, approximately USD 70. The fee can be paid at the airport in USD or EUR, in cash, or by credit card.

East Africa Tourist Visa: For tourist trips to Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, an East Africa Tourist Visa can be applied for before departure via the Rwandan online portal if Rwanda is the first country of entry. The East Africa Tourist Visa allows a single entry into the union and multiple trips between the countries. The fee is approximately USD 100 and must be paid upon application.

Entry regulations: As in most East African countries, Rwanda has a ban on plastic bags.

Import regulations:

The import and export of local currency is permitted up to an amount of 5,000 RWF, and the carrying of foreign currency is unlimited, but it must be declared.
The import of weapons, drugs, and pornographic material of any kind is prohibited. The same applies to plastic packaging and bags. Violations can be punished with fines and imprisonment.
Personal items (sports equipment, electronic devices, cameras, laptops, etc.) can be imported duty-free, but must be declared upon entry. An unlimited amount of foreign currency can be imported.
The import of tobacco, alcohol and perfume is quantitatively limited.
The import of large quantities of medicines for donation purposes is only possible with prior permission.
Customs duties on imported goods are levied at a rate of 15-25% of the value of the goods. The rates vary according to product group.

Food & Drink

Culinary

Unfortunately, culinary finesse is not very advanced in Rwanda. Not least because of the extreme poverty of the population, ingredients are mainly limited to vegetables and various tubers that Rwandan farmers can grow themselves, such as beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, millet, cassava and sorghum. Meat is only eaten on special occasions, if at all. Beef, goat and poultry are traditionally eaten, with pork becoming increasingly popular. Fish is particularly common near lakes, such as in the Lake Kivu region. Typical dishes include isombe (mashed cassava leaves with spiced tomato and meat sauce), ubugali or foufou (a porridge made from cassava flour and water that is common in Central and East Africa), and brochettes as a snack (skewers of grilled goat meat and vegetables).

In contrast to the food culture, the drinking culture in Rwanda is very important. Two typical beverages are Urwagwa (banana beer) and Amarwa (sorghum beer). Beer is typically consumed in drinking vessels made from bottle gourds, called calabashes. Other popular beverages are milk and tea.

FAKTEN & ZAHLEN

Social educational trips

Since 2013, we have been flying to Rwanda once a year with young painters. We have documented the experiences of these social educational trips in films. In 2019, we launched a cross-sector project for the first time, and in 2021, we planned to fly to Rwanda with 121 young European craftsmen, women, and apprentices from a wide range of fields to work together on 11 social projects.

Together with Rwandan vocational school students, we planned to carry out repair and renovation work on social facilities. We also wanted to begin the initial construction work on a Junior Talent House of Handcraft (an information, meeting, and assessment center) for all skilled trades. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to this trip. However, we are ready to return in 2023.

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