7 Facts That Will Change How You Think About Rwanda

The electric energy of Rwanda is tantalizing. While most first-time travellers to Africa touch down here for the famed mountain gorilla, we prefer those unexpected elements beyond the safari. Authentic encounters that will pull on your heartstrings and never let go.It might be Kigali’s Parisian-inspired food scene and emerging fashion industry. It could be the incredible biking routes opening onto shiny coffee fields and shimmering lakes. <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/africa/rwanda">Rwanda</a> is full of surprises, so we recommend coming for the gorillas and returning again and again for everything else.Below we’ve rounded up seven facts that will change everything you thought you knew about Rwanda.&nbsp;<h3>1. Rwanda is one of the cleanest nations on Earth.</h3>Not only has the country employed a decade-long ban on plastic bags and packaging material, but locals take part in a monthly community clean-up called Umuganda. Translating to “coming together in common purpose,” Umuganda was introduced to Rwandan life in 1998, and involves everything from rehabilitating forests and wetlands to building schools and hospitals. While Umuganda is mandatory for Rwandan locals aged 18-35, visitors and foreigners are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and pitch in on the last Saturday of every month.

<h3>2. You’ll find some of the best coffee in the world here.</h3>Great coffee is known to thrive high up in the mountains. Thanks to Rwanda’s high-altitude and tropical climate, you’ll taste some of the best coffee in the world here: mostly of the bourbon variety, ultra-buttery, full-bodied liquid gold. And the site of Rwanda’s burgeoning coffee fields is a spectacle in itself. Shiny green leaves blanket verdant hills as far as the eye can see, contrasting perfectly with shimmering lakes and cloud forests.

<h3>3. Rwanda pioneered equal gender representation in politics.</h3>With over 60% of its parliamentary seats occupied by women, Rwanda was the first country to have the highest representation of women in power — which still remains the largest allotment compared to anywhere else on earth. The Rwandan government also puts equal rights at the forefront: since 2018, the country has ranked at the top of the list for gender equality according to the <a href="https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2021.pdf">Global Gender Gap Report</a>. These ideas are demonstrated not only through politics but also through education, job opportunities and the role of women in healthcare.

<h3>4. Kigali hosts monthly Car Free Days.</h3>In their efforts to promote activity and sustainable methods of transportation, Rwanda hosts monthly Car Free Days in its green capital city of Kigali. On every first and third Sunday of the month, busy streets are shut down to make way for bikers, runners, and skaters of all ages. While striving for the reduction of gas emissions, Car Free Days are highly anticipated among Kigali residents as it offers a safe way to socialize and get active outdoors.

<h3>5. The bar for sustainable eco-tourism is set sky-high.</h3>Inspired by the likes of Bhutan and Botswana, Rwanda has made a deliberate decision to promote exclusive, low-footprint travel that protects the environment and benefits local communities. Many accommodations put animal conservation, reforestation efforts, and sustainability at the forefront–one of our favourites being One &amp; Only Nyungwe. As one of the properties featured on our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/rwanda-bespoke">Rwanda Bespoke</a> trip, the resort plays a critical role in the conservation of natural habitats and critically endangered species. With an abundance of lodges operating off of the <a href="https://www.bioregional.com/one-planet-living">Bioregional’s One Planet Living</a>&nbsp;Sustainability Framework, Rwanda sets the standard for mindful eco-tourism.

<h3>6. Rwanda will become the first African nation to host the Road World Championships.</h3>While the bid was tight between Rwanda and <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/africa/morocco">Morocco</a>, The International Cycling Union has confirmed that Kigali is set to host the 2025 Road World Championships, a first for Africa. With an incredible mix of stunning vistas, challenging ascents and thrilling descents, it’s a no-brainer that Rwanda has become a hot spot for cyclists in recent years. The country has long been known to host the <a href="http://www.tourdurwanda.rw/">Tour du Rwanda</a>, where thousands of spectators gather to cheer on local riders and those from neighbouring countries. Bouncing off of the Tour’s cult following, the 2025 Road World Championships are set to be one of the most anticipated events in Rwandan cycling history.

<h3>7. B&amp;R has been visiting Rwanda for over a decade!</h3>When we first discovered Rwanda’s jaw-dropping beauty over a decade ago, everything we thought we knew about the typical safari experience changed forever. Rwanda is home to an ambitious population with a steady eye on a <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/in-deep-rwanda">promising future</a>, and we’ve been getting behind the scenes with our network of contacts for years to truly understand what makes this resilient country tick.Our itineraries connect travellers with local coffee producers, shop owners, and artists; fishers fighting to keep their traditions alive; and photographers who are excited to share their stories of hope. Decades later, we leverage our insider access to immerse you in the best-kept hideaways on offer that go way beyond the famed mountain gorilla (although they’re pretty spectacular!).&nbsp;

Feeling inspired to explore Rwanda’s most surprising corners in true B&amp;R style? Get in touch with <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/christine-tucker">Christine Tucker</a> to start planning.

Discover surprising facts about Rwanda—from world-class coffee and sustainability to vibrant culture and innovative, forward-thinking travel experiences.

7 Surprising Facts About Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda is a land of transformation and beauty, where misty mountains, vibrant communities, and conservation efforts create a story of resilience and renewal. Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills," Rwanda invites you to explore lush valleys and encounter endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Beyond its landscapes, Rwanda’s people shine—former poachers turned conservationists, coffee initiatives empowering communities, and locals passionate about a brighter, authentic future. With Butterfield &amp; Robinson, immerse yourself in Rwanda’s inspiring spirit, where heritage and hope unite in a journey like no other.

The land of a thousand hills

Discover mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park on a luxury private Rwanda safari. Explore Nyungwe Forest, Akagera and Kigali with expert guides and personalized activities.

Luxury Safari in Rwanda | Custom Itineraries

Unforgettable Experiences

One-of-a-kind Hotels

Adventure for All

Rwanda is raw beauty and quiet power—where misty hills hide mountain gorillas and every step tells a story. Trek through Volcanoes National Park, meet locals rewriting their future and dive deep into Kigali’s vibrant soul. With wildlife, resilience and awe in equal measure, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips… that somehow feels like just the beginning.

Rwanda, so much more than its primates

Bespoke travel lets you take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Trek to mountain gorillas in the Virunga, bike tea-covered hills and discover a Rwanda far beyond what most travellers see. Tailor-made, entirely yours.

Rwanda Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Modern Rwanda is a nation rooted in its past, yet firmly set on its future. This wave of optimism has made the country's beauty all the more captivating: lush cloud forests home to some of the world's last mountain gorilla, coffee plantations draping the hills in glistening green, mountain ranges dominated by volcanoes, undiscovered national parks—and most importantly, the people who are eager to share the story of their nation's journey and resilience.

In the Wild

Luxurious Stays

In Rwanda, every step tells a story—of resilience, wild beauty, and a future written with hope. Trek lush forests, cross dizzying suspension bridges, and lock eyes with chimpanzees and silverbacks in their misty mountain homes. From coffee-covered hills to the shores of Lake Kivu, this journey is stirring, stunning, and unlike anything else on Earth.

Explore the 'land of a thousand hills'

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details. 

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Experience Designer

Our Limited Edition Rwanda Hiking trip offers an unparalleled journey through the Land of a Thousand Hills, blending extraordinary wildlife encounters with exclusive cultural experiences. Over nine days, you’ll explore Rwanda’s lush landscapes, home to tea and coffee cooperatives, rich history, and vibrant culture. The stars of the journey are undoubtedly the primates—you’ll have multiple opportunities to track both chimpanzees and Silverback gorillas in their natural habitats, getting within metres of these magnificent creatures while learning about their behaviours and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect them.&nbsp;Beyond the primate encounters, you’ll have access to B&amp;R exclusive hiking routes at the Twin Lakes with views of the Virunga Volcanoes and immersive trails along Lake Kivu and into Nyungwe House. Along the way, you’ll also meet conservation experts and a former gorilla tracker, gaining rare insights into the impactful work being done in Rwanda to preserve its wildlife and ecosystems.&nbsp;

Contemporary Rwanda is a country moored by its recent past, yet firmly set on its future. Everywhere you look, the country is churning and forward-looking. With this influx of optimism the exceptional beauty of Rwanda has never been more intriguing: cloud forests that house some of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, burgeoning coffee production which carpets the hills with shiny green leaves as far as the eye can see, incredible mountain ranges comprised of volcanoes, National Parks ripe for discovery, hidden inland beaches—and most importantly, people who are welcoming and eager to share the story of their country and their resiliency.

Trip price is inclusive of a $1,500 Gorilla Permit.