Languages in Rwanda

Unusually for Africa, Rwanda is essentially a mono-linguistic state, with the first language of practically all citizens being Kinyarwanda. In addition, most Rwandans speak a little of at least one international language. Historically, French was the most widely recognised European language, thanks to almost 50 years of Belgian colonisation. These days, however, English probably has the greater presence, partly because so many long-term exiles who returned after the genocide were educated in Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania, partly because it replaced French as the international language of education in 2009. In rural areas, KiSwahili, a coastal Bantu language that has come to serve as the lingua franca of East Africa, is still more widely understood than either English or French. From a visitor’s perspective, it is pretty easy to get around in either English or French, both of which are recognised as an official language alongside Kinyarwanda, but English is undoubtedly the primary language of the tourist industry.

Our Recommended Itinerary

Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 1

Entebbe, arrival
at The Boma Entebbe
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 2

Your drive to Kibale is well worth it
at Primate Lodge Kibale
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 3

Full day with the Chimps
at Primate Lodge Kibale
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 4

Onwards to Queen Elizabeth
at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 5 to 6

Witness the unusual tree climbing lions
at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 7

Bwindi National Park all to yourself
at Buhoma Lodge
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 8

Gorilla trekking, enjoy every minute
at Buhoma Lodge
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 9

Buhoma Village walk
at Buhoma Lodge
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 10

Drive via Kisoro to Rwanda
at Mountain View Gorilla Lodge
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 11

Visit the Dian Fossey Tomb
at Kigali Serena
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)
  • Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

day 12

Fly Home

View Full Itinerary

Popular Rwanda Safaris

These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates

| Nature, Romance and Exclusivity - A Complete African Honeymoon (14 days)

Nature, Romance and Exclusivity - A Complete African Honeymoon (14 days)

This exclusive African honeymoon through East and Southern Africa is the perfect way to celebrate the start of your new journey together...

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The Uganda Hills | The Complete East Africa Experience (13 days)

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Enjoy East Africa's most celebrated highlights, from a snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, to sailing above the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon and meeting mountain gorillas...

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| Best of Africa Safari (16 days)

Best of Africa Safari (16 days)

Experience the best of Africa, from the Okavango Delta – one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders – to the endangered mountain gorillas and East Africa's Great Migration...

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Chimpanzee | Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

Meet the Primates of Uganda and Rwanda (12 days)

See mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and tree-climbing lions, take a boat cruise and visit Rwanda's genocide memorial ...

View Safari
| Gorilla trekking and the Great Migration Combined (11 days)

Gorilla trekking and the Great Migration Combined (11 days)

Unforgettable experience in the jungles of Rwanda to track the last Mountain gorillas on earth and view the awesome Great Migration river crossings...

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Languages in Rwanda

Unusually for Africa, Rwanda is essentially a mono-linguistic state, with the first language of practically all citizens being Kinyarwanda. In addition, most Rwandans speak a little of at least one international language. Historically, French was the most widely recognised European language, thanks to almost 50 years of Belgian colonisation. These days, however, English probably has the…

Read more

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