Rwanda on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Rwanda can be done fairly cheaply if you skip or limit the primate permits. A realistic minimum is about RWF 70,000 (roughly US$48) per person per day: bed RWF 25,000, food RWF 15,000, sights RWF 20,000 and transport RWF 10,000, with permits extra.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | RWF25,000 | RWF80,000 | RWF600,000 |
| Food & drink | RWF15,000 | RWF35,000 | RWF80,000 |
| Sights & tickets | RWF20,000 | RWF60,000 | RWF150,000 |
| Local transport | RWF10,000 | RWF80,000 | RWF150,000 |
| Per person, per day | RWF70,000 | RWF255,000 | RWF980,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Rwanda day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial (audio guide extra)
- Kimironko Market (browsing)
- Walking Kigali's hills and viewpoints over the city
- Lake Kivu beaches at Rubavu
- Watching the fishermen sing as they row out on Lake Kivu at dusk
- Tea plantation views along the Congo Nile road
Cheap eats
- Local buffet lunch in Kigali: a few thousand francs
- Brochettes (grilled goat skewers) with chips: about RWF 2,000-5,000
- Isombe (cassava leaves) with rice and beans: very cheap at local restaurants
- Sambaza (small Lake Kivu fish) fried: cheap in Rubavu and Karongi
- Rolex (chapati egg roll) from street stalls: a few hundred francs
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Kigali guesthouses and Musanze town hostels near the bus stations, with doubles about RWF 35,000-70,000.
Getting around cheaply
Public buses link Kigali with Musanze, Rubavu and Huye for about RWF 2,500-6,000. In Kigali, moto-taxis cost RWF 500-2,000. Kigali airport is close to the centre; taxis and ride-hailing are cheap.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Kigali Genocide Memorial (free)
- Lunch: local buffet in town (about RWF 4,000)
- Afternoon: moto-taxi to Kimironko Market and Inema Arts Centre (about RWF 3,000 in fares)
- Evening: brochettes and a local beer (about RWF 6,000)
- Total: about RWF 70,000 including a guesthouse room
More ways to save
- Prioritise one primate experience: golden monkeys (US$100) are far cheaper than gorillas.
- Use buses and moto-taxis rather than a full-time driver.
- Travel in the shoulder months for lodge discounts.
- Carry US dollars for permits and francs for daily spending.
- Join Kigali walking tours with local families, such as in Nyamirambo, which include lunch.
- Avoid Umuganda Saturday mornings for travel, when traffic and shops stop.
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Common questions
Can I visit Rwanda on a budget?
Yes, at about RWF 70,000 a day with buses, guesthouses and local food, if you limit permits.
Can I use public transport in Rwanda?
Yes. Buses are reliable and cheap between Kigali, Musanze, Rubavu and Huye.
Are there cheaper alternatives to gorilla trekking?
Golden monkey tracking (US$100), the Nyungwe canopy walk and Lake Kivu are much cheaper.