Rwanda is often seen as an expensive country and best for luxury tours, but there are also many cheap places to visit in Rwanda. However, the cheapness of a place is relative to a particular person as one perceives it. This means that what one may see as cheap may not be cheap for other people. Therefore, with that in mind, Rwanda is the best place for all visitors of different financial stabilities. This is because the country offers different destinations for different visitors.
Rwanda has earned its place on the table of other great destinations by being a popular tourist destination. This does not come as a surprise because Rwanda has put in many years of work and sacrifice to craft itself as a top destination. It is recognized worldwide as having the cleanest city in Africa, even topping most other European cities.
The country’s story to the top is that of sheer will and resilience, often told as the most inspirational. Not long ago, in 1994, Rwanda was brought to its knees after it suffered one of the most tragic moments ever. A small country that was headed to its prime greatness experienced a reign of terror that saw over a million Tutsis murdered in just 100 days. This was the unimaginable 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi.
Overnight, following the plane crash that claimed the life of President Juvenile Habyarimana, the Hutu majority turned guns, machetes, and other weapons on their Tutsi brothers. A 100-day period that saw incredible bloodshed and massacres that stunned the world. Over 30 years have passed, and Rwanda has risen from the ruins to become a world-class destination.
The cheap places to visit in Rwanda are intertwined in different forms, from national parks and other protected areas to historical sites and natural areas. Such cheap places ensure that visitors can have an epic stay in the country as they explore these places. The cheap places to visit in Rwanda emphasize that there is always something to explore for everyone once in Rwanda.
Here are some of the cheap places to visit in Rwanda
Below is a list of some of the cheap places to visit in Rwanda that can be added to every visitor’s bucket list as they plan to explore this beautiful land of a thousand hills, Rwanda.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is one of the cheapest places to visit in Rwanda. The Kigali Genocide Memorial, located on Gisozi hill, is a site in Kigali city built to commemorate the victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. It was built in 2004 during the 10th anniversary of the 1994 genocide. This memorial center has a mass grave where the remains of over 250,000 people were buried. All these people were killed in the communities around this area.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial can easily be accessed since there is no entrance fees are required. Visitors can explore this genocide memorial to gain an insight into what transpired during these fateful days.
The memorial has three sections, one for children who were killed, a second for the adults, and a third for other similar genocides that happened across the world. This site teaches visitors about the dangers of segregation and discrimination and why they should be avoided.
Inema art studio
The Inema art studio is another interesting, cheap place to explore in the heart of Kigali city. It was established by two art enthusiasts who were interested in showcasing African art through creativity. The Inema art studio was then opened to the public, and local artists can showcase their incredible pieces. Visitors can visit this art studio, learn about the incredible world of African art, and understand how significant it is to society.
Volcanoes National Park
The northern region of Rwanda, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, contains Volcanoes National Park. This park is another cheap place to visit in Rwanda that should not slip off your bucket list.
Volcanoes National Park is the most popular protected area in the country. This is because it is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Visitors from across the world can embark on their incredible adventure of encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
Dian Fossey Museum
The Dian Fossey Museum is also another interesting and cheap place to visit in Rwanda. This museum showcases the different artefacts about the great primatologist Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey had established her base inside Volcanoes National Park, where she carried out her work of research before she was killed.
She fought for the well-being of the mountain gorillas through conservation and protecting their habitat even before the world was aware of conservation. The Dian Fossey Museum also has the last works of Dian Fossey that she did before her passing. Visit this museum for a tale of a conservation story of events that shaped the world into conservation awareness of mountain gorillas.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is situated in the eastern region of Rwanda, bordering Tanzania. It is another cheap place to explore with incredible adventures. It harbors animals from the Big Five, lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos, to other animals like antelopes, hyenas, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, and waterbucks, among others.
This park also has lakes like Ihema and Rwanyakazinga that harbor crocodiles and hippos. Enjoy amazing adventures like game drives, sport fishing, nature walks, boat cruises, and birding once you visit this park.