Hotels in Rwanda

Hotels in Rwanda: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Rwanda cost?

The price depends on the city, the standard and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. In the cities stays can be cheap, but eco-lodges by the parks and 5-star hotels in Kigali are expensive. Rates are usually lowest in April and highest in July, at the peak of the safari season.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Rwanda: most popular cities

Travellers split their time between Kigali, Lake Kivu and the areas around the national parks. These are the destinations chosen most often:

• Kigali. The capital and arrival point, with the widest choice of hotels and the Genocide Memorial. A clean, safe and modern base to start.
• Gisenyi (Rubavu). A lakeside town on Lake Kivu, with beach resorts and kayaking.
• Ruhengeri (Musanze). The gateway to Volcanoes National Park, a base for the mountain-gorilla trek.
• Kibuye (Karongi). A quieter town on Lake Kivu, with scenic hotels.
• Butare (Huye). An academic city in the south with the Ethnographic Museum.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Rwanda

This is a destination for nature and safari lovers, with several world-class attractions.

• Kigali. Walks along green avenues, a cultural village and the important Genocide Memorial.
• Akagera National Park. Savannah in the east with zebra, giraffe, antelope and elephant, a classic safari.
• Volcanoes National Park. Dormant volcanoes in the north-west and the home of the endangered mountain gorilla.
• Lake Kivu. Part of the Great Rift Valley, with kayaking and beach resorts at Karongi and Rubavu.
• Ethnographic Museum in Butare. Collections on the country's culture and history.

How much does a trip to Rwanda cost

Daily costs can be low. A meal at a cheaper restaurant is under 1,200 RWF (around 2.10 USD), basic groceries about 4,000 RWF. The country is still largely cash-based, dollars are taken for larger payments like hotels, and Visa cards are increasingly accepted. The currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF).

When is the best time to visit Rwanda

Rwanda has a tropical highland climate, around 21 degrees on average in Kigali, with highs rarely above 30 degrees. The dry season runs from June to September and is the easiest time to travel and to trek for gorillas. Booking is cheapest in April and most expensive in July, at the peak of the season.

Getting to and around Rwanda

The main entry point is Kigali International Airport, served by RwandAir and airlines such as KLM, Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways. International coaches also run from neighbouring countries. Within the country, you travel by Express buses and minibuses, and moto-taxis are popular (check there is a helmet for passengers). Cars can be rented in Kigali, including with a driver. There is one domestic flight from Kigali to Kamembe in the west.

Example hotels in Rwanda

A few recognisable properties from different cities for reference:

• Kigali Marriott Hotel and Radisson Blu Kigali in Kigali (upper tier, from approx. 200,000 RWF).
• Kigali Serena Hotel and Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali (from approx. 175,000 RWF).
• Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in Gisenyi and Ruhondo Island Retreat near Ruhengeri (from approx. 160,000 RWF).