Rwanda Road Trip

The Rwanda Road Trip is an unforgettable experience that takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes and nature in the country. Starting in the capital city of Kigali, you will make your way south through Butare, Kirambo, Kibuye, Gisenyi and Musanze over a course of 699 kilometers and seven days. This road trip is best enjoyed during the dry season, when the roads are in their best conditions and the views are at their most breathtaking. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy the lush green hills, the stunning lakes and the breathtaking views of the Rwandan countryside. You will also have the opportunity to explore the local culture, experience the vibrant markets and visit the many historical and cultural sites that Rwanda has to offer. The Rwanda Road Trip is suitable for all types of drivers, and can be managed with a fair budget. This unforgettable journey will provide you with memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Kigali, the bustling capital of Rwanda, is the ideal starting point for the Rwanda Road Trip. This vibrant city is the political, commercial and cultural center of Rwanda. It's home to a range of attractions, from interesting museums, to lush parks and lively markets. The best way to explore Kigali is by car. A car rental is available at Kigali International Airport (KGL) which is the closest international airport. The city is relatively small and easy to navigate, and most attractions are within easy reach. Some of the top attractions in Kigali include the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, the Kandt Museum of Natural History, and the Inema Art Centre. The Nyamirambo Women’s Centre is also a must-see. For those looking for some outdoor activities, the Kigali City Tower and the Presidential Palace are great places to visit. For a true taste of Rwandan culture, make sure to visit the local markets. The Nyamirambo Market is especially popular, and it's the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and sample traditional Rwandan cuisine. Kigali is an exciting city that is sure to kick-start your Rwanda Road Trip in the best way possible. With its vibrant culture, interesting attractions and delicious food, there is something for everyone in Kigali.

Are you ready to embark on a road trip from Kigali to Butare? This 135 km journey will take you less than 3 hours and will be an adventure to remember. Start your journey by exploring the capital city of Rwanda, Kigali. Here you can visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Presidential Palace Museum and the Inema Art Center. As you head south, you will be surrounded by beautiful scenery. Take in the rolling hills, lush forests and picturesque landscapes. There are plenty of places to stop along the way, so take your time and enjoy the view. When you reach Butare, you will find a number of attractions to explore. Visit the National Museum of Rwanda, the University of Rwanda and the King's Palace. Butare is also home to a vibrant art scene, so be sure to visit the local art galleries and studios. This is just one stage of a larger tour, so be sure to check out the itinerary for more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants and campsites along the route. Get ready to explore Kigali and Butare - you won't regret it!

Embark on a journey of discovery through Rwanda's stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, beginning in Butare and ending in Kirambo. Along the way, you will experience some of the country's most fascinating attractions, as well as its incredible wildlife. Your first stop is Nyungwe National Park, home to a wealth of primates, birds, and other wildlife. Here, you can explore the lush rainforest on a guided forest walk, or take a canopy walk for an unforgettable experience. Continue your journey to Kirambo, a small town in the south of Rwanda. Here, you can explore the local markets, learn about the culture and traditions of the local people, and visit some of the nearby villages. This 219km journey can be completed in fewer than 6 hours, and is just one of the stages of a larger tour. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage.

Embark on an exciting road trip from Kirambo to Kibuye! In just under two hours, you'll cover the 69 km distance and experience some of the most beautiful landscapes Rwanda has to offer. Be sure to take your time and enjoy the scenery as you drive, as you'll be surrounded by stunning views. Once you arrive in Kibuye, you'll be able to explore the town and its surroundings. Take a stroll around the beaches, enjoy the views of the lake and the nearby hills, and visit the local markets for some souvenirs. Don't forget to take a break and enjoy some delicious local dishes! This is just one stage of your Rwandan road trip, but you'll be able to experience the beauty of this country and its people in just a few hours. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Embark on an exciting road trip from Kibuye to Gisenyi! This 97 km journey will take you fewer than 3 hours, and along the way, you will get to explore some of the most interesting places in Rwanda. Start your journey with a visit to the Kibuye Market, where you can find a variety of local products and souvenirs. Then, head to the nearby Nyamirambo Stadium, a great place to watch a football match or just take a leisurely stroll. As you continue your journey, make sure to stop in the Rusumo Falls area, where you can find a great spot for a picnic and some amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Then, take a break at Lake Kivu, a stunning lake surrounded by lush greenery. Finally, arrive in Gisenyi, a vibrant city with plenty of attractions to explore. Visit the Gisenyi Market to find unique items and souvenirs, then take a stroll along the beach to take in the beautiful views. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip from Kibuye to Gisenyi!

Welcome to the Gisenyi-Musanze stage of your road trip! This 74km drive will take you less than 2 hours to complete. Starting in Gisenyi, you'll be able to explore the stunning Lake Kivu and the nearby hot springs. Then, you'll make your way to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Here, you can take a guided tour of the park and experience the beauty of the Rwandan countryside. As you drive to Musanze, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Virunga Mountains, and experience the unique culture of the Rwandan people. Once you arrive in Musanze, you'll have the chance to explore the local markets, visit the nearby caves and waterfalls, and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding area. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy the ride!

Start your journey in Musanze, Rwanda and take the 105km drive to Kigali, an exciting road trip that can be done in less than three hours. On the way, you will be able to explore some of the most interesting places in Rwanda. Stop at the Musanze Caves, a fascinating site with incredible rock formations and a unique ecosystem. Then take the road to Kigali and make a stop at the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, a powerful reminder of the 1994 genocide. After that, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and education. Finally, take a tour of the city and explore its vibrant markets, lively nightlife, and beautiful parks. Make sure to also visit the Kigali Convention Centre, the largest in East Africa. As you drive, be sure to keep an eye out for historical sites and other attractions along the way. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Rwanda Road Trip has come to an end! Your final destination is the beautiful city of Kigali. This vibrant and growing capital city offers a range of attractions and activities to explore. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn more about the country's history. The memorial honors the victims of the 1994 genocide and provides a moving experience. If you're looking for a fun activity, check out the Inema Arts Center. This art gallery and workshop offers a variety of classes and activities, from painting and pottery to traditional Rwandan dance classes. For a taste of traditional Rwandan culture, visit the Caplaki Craft Village. Here you can find a range of handmade items, from jewelry to clothing. For those looking for a bit of adventure, the Akagera National Park is the perfect place to explore. Here you will find a variety of wildlife and the chance to take a safari. Kigali is the closest international airport, with the IATA code KGL. From here, you can easily continue your travels or make arrangements to fly home. Now that your Rwanda Road Trip is over, you can enjoy the city of Kigali and all it has to offer.

No doubt our tour will become a great inspiration for your future holiday excursions.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a template that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with original tourist attractions of your choice.
If car travel is a means of travel that you prefer, there are a number of important traffic regulations to follow and a bunch of elements to remember to make your road trip safe. These tips will also become useful for travellers who are interested in renting a car or camper hire.
When on a tour around Rwanda, there are numerous road regulations to be followed. Alcohol is best to be avoided at all costs while sightseeing in a vehicle. Drivers ought to remember that the allowed level of alcohol in blood is very low and is only 0‰. Exceeding the maximum permissible speed, which is 60km/h, when travelling around the the city streets may lead to speeding offence. On the other hand, the maximum speed in rural areas is 100km/h. While on motorways, you can travel at the allowed speed of 100km/h. In order to stay safe, it is best to equip your car with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher and drive with your headlights on during the day.
But what are the costs of the whole trip. Of course, depending on the budget option that interests you, the money that you have to spend on your travel expenses may vary. Below, you will find the budget possibilities.
We estimate that the cheapest option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 611km across Rwanda can amount to 88 EUR. Travel expenses connected with economy accommodation will cost up to roughly 462 EUR. If the this option is your target, you should be prepared to spend more or less 168 EUR on restaurants and food. Travellers will have to pay about 882 EUR if they are interested in the budget rental car option as well. Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be around 718 EUR without car hire and 1,600 EUR with car hire.
Holidayers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option will pay about 113 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the itinerary. If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses can amount up to roughly 781 EUR. The standard option in terms of food and restaurants can cost up to approximately 252 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard hire vehicle can expect a cost of approximately 1,134 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay approximately 2,280 EUR for the whole itinerary, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend approximately 1,146 EUR.
Holidaymakers who seek the highest level of convenience will be pleased with the premium offer. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total approximately 3,109 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering car hire and 1,146 EUR for those who do not need a hire vehicle. Travellers who would like to cover the itinerary in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of about 1,512 EUR. In the premium version of the road trip, you should expect the average cost of around 150 EUR when it comes to fuel. Holidayers should expect to pay about 336 EUR for restaurants and food and around 1,111 EUR for accommodation options if they opt for the exclusive standard of services.
Our trip can be easily adjusted to the requirements of all camper fans. If you are considering this transport option, you will pay up to around 1,575 EUR. Travellers will spend about 163 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the Rwanda Road Trip. Camper enthusiasts should expect to pay roughly 168 EUR for expenses connected with food and around 385 EUR for accommodation.
The Road Trip Costs section shows all the above-mentioned details in an easy to follow manner.
The best travel opportunity when exploring the part of Rwanda showed in our Rwanda Road Trip is between June and September. There are numerous beautiful scenic drives and road trips that we offer on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip options. The wide spectrum of travel opportunities will definitely match up the expectations of the most demanding holidaymakers.