5 things to do on a Rwandan Self drive.
Before visiting a new place, anxiety is common among tourists, and it’s understandable given the expectation of significant cultural, linguistic, culinary, and environmental changes. Getting around a new nation is the scariest part. Rwanda’s tiny size and excellent organisation are its greatest features. Travelling is simple, particularly if you have a car. You can enjoy your journey in comfort, convenience, and flexibility by renting a car from rental businesses. Here are the five things you must do before setting out on a Rwandan Self Drive.
It’s important to keep in mind that driving in Rwanda requires you to drive on the right side of the road and obey speed limits of 40 mph in cities and 60 mph on highways in order to avoid receiving citations. To aid with your navigation, carry a GPS gadget and Google maps as well.
Take a tour of Kigali City
While on a Rwandan Self Drive, go for a drive around Kigali before to starting your safari vacation. Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, is among the cleanest cities in the world. The Genocide Memorial Centre, which honours the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, is located there. It is estimated that this horrific catastrophe claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 individuals. Over 250,000 Rwandans who perished in the genocide have found their eternal resting place in the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. Photographs of survivors and those responsible for the genocide are on display, together with human skulls and their possessions. It is managed by AEGIS, a non-profit group based in the UK dedicated to preventing genocides worldwide. Gisozi, the location of this centre, is within ten minutes’ drive from Kigali City. The Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, municipal museums, and art galleries are among the other places to visit in Kigali.
Do some shopping
When travelling independently in Rwanda, try to purchase a memento for your loved ones, friends, and yourself. Take a drive to Kigali’s biggest market, Kimironko Market, for an exciting shopping experience. In addition to ready-to-eat fresh fruits and vegetables, this area also has clothing, crafts, and electronics. Kimironko is the one stop for all your shopping needs, as one Trip Advisor user previously said, and it is accurate. It is not the only location to shop, though. You can go to neighbourhood shops, supermarkets, craft stores, and roadside stands along busy roads.
Gorilla Trekking
This is one of the most important things to do when driving yourself in Rwanda. Rwanda is home to the bulk of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, and gorilla trekking there serves as the primary source of tourism income. It takes two hours to get from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, which is located about 110 km away.
When you get to the park, ask a guide to give you a tour and answer any questions you might have. In addition to gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park provides hiking, bird watching, and golden monkey observation.
Try local Delicacies
A trip to a country is not complete if you haven’t sampled its cuisine, as food plays a significant role in tourism. Tastes such as ibirayi (goat mixed with potatoes), brochettes (roasted beef with chips), huge fried fish, and isombe (mashed cassava leaves mixed with fish or meat) are must-trys when visiting Rwanda. Find out which restaurants serve Rwandan cuisine by contacting the Kigali self-drive vehicle rental companies. You can also have other drinks, such as milk from the nearby cows, which is a typical practice among Rwandans. Try the local brews, fresh fruit juice, and igikoma (porridge).
Visit cultural sites
Rwanda, like any other African nation, has a vibrant culture that can be experienced by travelling to places like Ibyi’wacu Cultural Village. Here, a variety of music and dances are performed, and you may take part in crafts like weaving baskets and producing your own ghee, among other things.
These are all genuine, life-changing experiences. You can also learn about the traditional leadership and way of life of the Rwandan people by going to the King’s Palace.
To ensure a memorable self-drive vacation in Rwanda, abide by all traffic laws, including the requirement to wear seat belts, drive within posted speed limits, and possess a valid driver’s license if you are 18 years of age or older.