Rwanda Food and Drink
Food
The cuisine of Rwanda is simple yet unique with the typical Rwandan diet consisting of sweet potatoes, beans, corn, peas, millet and fruit. Many Rwandans don’t eat meat more than a few times a month. Those people who live near lakes also incorporate fish into their diets, particularly tilapia. In more urban areas like Kilgali, various cuisines like Indian, Chinese, Italian and other African-styled restaurants are available.
Popular dishes include:
Ugali: This is a paste that is made from maize and water which when mixed together forms a porridge. Ugali is not only popular in Rwanda, it is also a favourite dish throughout eastern Africa.
Ibihaza: This dish is made from cut-up pumpkin that is mixed with beans and is then boiled.
Isombe: This meal combines mashed cassava leaves with dried fish.
Matolie: This is a meal made from baked or steamed plantains.
Drink
Fruit juices, wine and beer are all favourite drinks in Rwanda. Commercial beers include Primus, Mutzig and Amstel. Rwanda has a large commercial brewery, however, many people tend to brew their own beer and alcoholic beverages. Ikigage is a locally brewed beer made from dry sorghum, some people believe it has medicinal properties. Urwagwa is a beer made from fermented bananas mixed with sorghum flour. Finally, Ubuki is an alcoholic drink made of fermented honey and has an alcohol content of about 12%. Beer often features in traditional rituals and is generally consumed by men.
Things to know:
There is no official stance on tipping in Rwanda, however, staff in hotels as well as guides and trackers have come to expect it. Approximately 10% is appropriate in restaurants and around 5-10% is appropriate for guides, trackers and porters.
Drinking age:
18.
Rwanda Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Rwanda.
Learn about the history and culture of Rwanda, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Rwanda's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Rwanda for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Rwanda tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Africa tours, why not consider one of Goway's Europe tours or Egypt tours en route from Rwanda or perhaps a stopover in Dubai on one of our United Arab Emirates tours
Book your Rwanda tour with Goway!
AfricaExperts is the exclusive division of Goway that specializes in planning and organizing Rwanda tours and experiences. Choose from a locally escorted tour, a gorilla encounter safaris, or one of our active and adventurous tours and more. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Rwanda.
Get a Trip Quote Order a Brochure
