Rwanda is a landlocked East African country that shares borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Then Tanzania and Uganda provide easy access into the country.

Though, most of the travelers still think that Rwanda is still backward the country has taken more motive campaigns to market their tourism products worldwide and the recent move is the “Visit Rwanda” that is trending on the Arsenal’s hand sleeved t-shirt and with the PSG team in Europe.

A popular draw in the country is the Silver back Mountain gorillas, but there are plenty of other things to see and experience. Rwanda has both diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape that is made up of rolling, green hills. The Nyungwe tropical forest is a great place for bird watching and wildlife viewing.

Most people still associate Rwanda with the shocking and devastating war that took place in 1994. While the memories are sketched deep in the hearts and minds of the residents, the country has come a long way toward creating a more peaceful and tolerant country.

While you will probably never separate this country from the war in its past, do look beyond that and you will likely have a unique experience in a less visited, but culturally rich African country.

Well, at least compared to neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. Everything is pricier: transportation, food, drinks, safaris, activities… Especially hotel costs will eat away at your budget.

There are very few places in Rwanda that accept credit cards, particularly outside of Kigali. For this reason, travelers will have to carry money from the well stationed banks in all cities of Rwanda.

This is particularly true when traveling outside of the capital city where ATMs are almost existent everywhere. It is good to travel with some US Dollars in addition to Rwandan Francs. You will get the best exchange rate for newer (after 2006), dollar bills.

Rwanda has rebranded as new luxury safari destination in East Africa. This was spotted by travelers when the country increased the gorilla permits from $750 – $ 1500 USD per person and later the Rwanda Development Board attracted the luxury international hotel and lodge chains to set up premises in the Kigali city and in the safari parks.

Some of the high-end Rwanda safari hotels, lodges and exclusive camps in the country include the Hotel Marriott, Radisson Blu Hotel, Haven Retreat in Kigali and then the Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House, One & Only Resorts – Gorilla’s Nest and Nyungwe House, Bisate Lodge and Magashi Camp, Silver Back Sabyinyo Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Bishop’s Rwanda.

Though, Rwanda is now ranked as one of the luxury safari destinations in East and Central Africa. It still offers the deluxe gorilla safaris with the stay at some of the original safari lodges and camps, and among them include the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Tiloreza Eco Lodge, Gorilla Solutions Lodge, Davinci Lodge, Lebambou Gorilla Safari Lodge among others.

Rwanda safari lodges and exclusive camps are slightly higher than the nearby Uganda or Kenyan options. The accommodation is generally quite basic and minimal. There are also some affordable hotels in the capital city with the current, best option being the Five-to-Five Hotel. The nearby hotel, Hotel des Milles Collines, was featured in the movie “Hotel Rwanda.” The actual movie was shot in South Africa though so very little will be recognizable to movie buffs.