For meals, transport, tips - whats the safe amount to carry in Rwanda ? Trying to plan a daily budget for a month long trip
In Kigali, I often ate plates of rice, beans, and avocado for $3-4, and dinners with chicken or fish for $8. Moto-taxis were everywhere, costing just $1-2, while city taxis were $5. Tips weren’t huge, maybe 10% max. My average daily cost was $40, including food, rides, and tips. I did splurge on a safari trip once, which was way more, but ordinary days were budget-friendly. Rwanda feels safe and organized, and I never struggled to manage costs on a modest budget.
Averaged about $25 a day and felt comfortable. Ate ugali and beans or chapati for cheap, walked a lot, and stayed in homestays. Public buses and moto taxis were super cheap. If you’re into wildlife or museums, maybe keep an extra fund for entrance fees. But for regular meals, transport, and tips-I’d say RWF 30,000/day does the job nicely.
I stayed mostly in dorms or basic guesthouses in Kigali and Musanze and spent around RWF 25,000 per day (~$20). Street food and market stalls made meals cheap (RWF 1,500-3,000), public buses were like RWF 500 a ride, and I tipped small amounts-RWF 500 or so. It wasn’t luxury, but I got by and didn’t miss anything major.
A daily budget of about RWF 40,000 (~$30) kept me comfortable in Kigali. I stayed in private hostel rooms, took occasional moto-taxis, and ate at mid-range cafes. Tips weren’t expected but I’d round up bills or leave 5-10% at nicer places. If you plan on day tours or excursions, budget extra for those. But for food, local transport, and basics-that figure worked great.
I tracked my budget using Revolut during my four-week remote work stint. Average was RWF 50,000 daily (~$38). That included coworking cafés, Airtel SIM top-ups, a few Bolt rides, and meals at places like Question Coffee or Meze Fresh. Tipping was rare but I left RWF 1,000 at sit-down spots. Add more if you’re moving around or doing national park stuff.