Kigali
Ki-ga-li
Usage
Capital of Rwanda, one of Africa's cleanest cities
Grammar Note
Means "wide mountain" in Kinyarwanda
Gorilla y'i Virunga
Go-ril-la yi Vi-run-ga
Virunga Gorillas
Usage
Habitat of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains
Grammar Note
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda's top attraction
Nyungwe
Nyun-gwe
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Usage
Rainforest home to chimpanzees and diverse bird species
Grammar Note
One of Africa's oldest rainforests, famous for its canopy walk
Ikiyaga cya Kivu
I-ki-ya-ga cya Ki-vu
Lake Kivu
Usage
Lake on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Maps and road signs also show the French "Lac Kivu" and English "Lake Kivu"
Grammar Note
The lakeside town of Rubavu (formerly Gisenyi) is a popular resort destination
Butare
Bu-ta-re
Butare (Huye)
Usage
Rwanda's academic and cultural center, home to the National Museum
Grammar Note
Official name is now Huye; home to the University of Rwanda
Akagera
A-ka-ge-ra
Akagera National Park
Usage
Rwanda's savanna national park in the east, home to the Big Five
Grammar Note
"aka-" is the Kinyarwanda diminutive prefix. Named after a tributary of the Kagera River
Musanze
Mu-san-ze
Musanze (Ruhengeri)
Usage
Gateway town for gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains
Grammar Note
The initial "Mu-" is a class 3 noun prefix in Kinyarwanda. Formerly called Ruhengeri, renamed in 2006
Gisozi
Gi-so-zi
Gisozi (Kigali Genocide Memorial)
Usage
Memorial site honoring victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, located outside Kigali
Grammar Note
The initial "Gi-" is a class 7 noun prefix in Kinyarwanda. Over 250,000 victims are interred at this memorial
Rubavu
Ru-ba-vu
Rubavu (Gisenyi)
Usage
Lake Kivu resort city on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo
Grammar Note
The initial "Ru-" is a class 11 noun prefix. Formerly Gisenyi. Famous for lakeside beaches and fresh tilapia
Nyamata
Nya-ma-ta
Usage
Town south of Kigali with a significant genocide memorial church from 1994
Grammar Note
Said to mean "place of milk" in Kinyarwanda. Nyamata Church is a designated national memorial
Umujyi wa Kigali
U-mu-jyi wa Ki-ga-li
City of Kigali
Usage
One of Rwanda's five top-level administrative units, covering the capital. Made up of Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro districts
Grammar Note
"Umujyi wa X" means "City of X" and is the form used on official signage
Intara y'Amajyaruguru
In-ta-ra y'A-ma-jya-ru-gu-ru
Northern Province
Usage
Province containing Volcanoes National Park and Musanze. Comprises Burera, Gakenke, Gicumbi, Musanze and Rulindo districts
Intara y'Amajyepfo
In-ta-ra y'A-ma-jye-pfo
Southern Province
Usage
Province containing Huye (formerly Butare) and Nyanza, plus the eastern half of Nyungwe Forest. Eight districts
Intara y'Iburasirazuba
In-ta-ra y'I-bu-ra-si-ra-zu-ba
Eastern Province
Usage
Province containing Akagera National Park and the Tanzanian border. The main highway east out of Kigali runs through it
Intara y'Iburengerazuba
In-ta-ra y'I-bu-ren-ge-ra-zu-ba
Western Province
Usage
Province along Lake Kivu and the DR Congo border. The three lakeside towns Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi are here
Nyarugenge
Nya-ru-gen-ge
Usage
One of Kigali's three districts. Contains the old central business district, the main market and bank district, and the Nyabugogo bus terminal
Gasabo
Ga-sa-bo
Usage
Kigali's largest district. Includes Kacyiru (government quarter), Remera, Kimironko and Nyarutarama, where most visitors stay
Kicukiro
Ki-cu-ki-ro
Usage
Kigali's south-eastern district. Kanombe, where Kigali International Airport sits, belongs to it
Nyabugogo
Nya-bu-go-go
Usage
Valley district holding Kigali's main bus terminal. Nearly all long-distance buses to other Rwandan towns and neighbouring countries leave from here. Rwanda has no railway, so this is effectively the country's central station
Remera
Re-me-ra
Usage
Eastern Kigali district with the city's second bus park (Remera taxi park) and the national stadium. Sits between the airport and the city centre
Kacyiru
Ka-cyi-ru
Usage
Kigali's government quarter. Ministries, the immigration office and many embassies are here, so visa and residence formalities usually happen in this district
Kimihurura
Ki-mi-hu-ru-ra
Usage
Ridge district just east of central Kigali. Dense with restaurants, cafés and guesthouses, and close to the Kigali Convention Centre
Kiyovu
Ki-yo-vu
Usage
Leafy upmarket neighbourhood next to Kigali's central business district, lined with embassies and long-established hotels
Nyamirambo
Nya-mi-ram-bo
Usage
Lively south-western Kigali neighbourhood with a large Muslim community, mosques, street stalls and eateries. A common walking-tour area
Kimironko
Ki-mi-ron-ko
Usage
Eastern Kigali district with one of the city's largest permanent markets, selling produce, kitenge fabric and crafts
Nyarutarama
Nya-ru-ta-ra-ma
Usage
Quiet residential area in north-eastern Kigali with a golf course and a lakeside walking path; plenty of accommodation
Kanombe
Ka-nom-be
Usage
District containing Kigali International Airport, about 10 km east of the city centre, 20-30 minutes by car
Gikondo
Gi-kon-do
Usage
Industrial and warehouse area in southern Kigali, home to the city's exhibition grounds and linked to the centre by a main road
Umusozi wa Kigali
U-mu-so-zi wa Ki-ga-li
Mount Kigali
Usage
Roughly 1,850 m hill on the western edge of Kigali. Panoramic views over the city and a common half-day hike
Grammar Note
Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills (Igihugu cy'Imisozi Igihumbi); "umusozi" (hill) appears often in place names
Sitade Amahoro
Si-ta-de A-ma-ho-ro
Amahoro Stadium
Usage
The national stadium in Remera, Kigali. Venue for national football matches and state ceremonies
Ikibuga cy'Indege Mpuzamahanga cya Kigali
I-ki-bu-ga cy'In-de-ge Mpu-za-ma-han-ga cya Ki-ga-li
Kigali International Airport
Usage
Rwanda's only international hub (code KGL), in Kanombe, Kicukiro District, about 10 km from central Kigali. Rwanda has no passenger rail, so all onward travel from here is by road
Grammar Note
"Ikibuga" means field or ground and "indege" means aircraft. In speech people often just say "ku kibuga" (to the airport)
Ikibuga cy'Indege cya Bugesera
I-ki-bu-ga cy'In-de-ge cya Bu-ge-se-ra
Bugesera International Airport
Usage
New international airport under construction in Bugesera District, about 25 km south-east of Kigali, planned to replace the current Kigali airport as the main gateway. Check whether it is operating before you travel
Ikibuga cy'Indege cya Kamembe
I-ki-bu-ga cy'In-de-ge cya Ka-mem-be
Kamembe Airport
Usage
Domestic airport at Rusizi (formerly Cyangugu) in Rwanda's south-west corner. Flights from Kigali save the six-hour road trip to Nyungwe Forest and the southern end of Lake Kivu
Umupaka wa Gatuna
U-mu-pa-ka wa Ga-tu-na
Gatuna border post
Usage
Main crossing to Uganda, in Gicumbi District, on the Kigali-Kampala highway and the Northern Corridor route to the port of Mombasa. Spelled "Katuna" on the Ugandan side
Grammar Note
"Umupaka wa X" means "the X border post." With no passenger rail in Rwanda, international travel is by air or through crossings like this
Umupaka wa Cyanika
U-mu-pa-ka wa Cya-ni-ka
Cyanika border post
Usage
Crossing to Uganda in Burera District, about 25 km north of Musanze. The shortest route to Kisoro and Bwindi on the Ugandan side, used by travellers combining gorilla trips in both countries
Umupaka wa Kagitumba
U-mu-pa-ka wa Ka-gi-tum-ba
Kagitumba border post
Usage
Uganda crossing at Rwanda's north-eastern tip in Nyagatare District. Mirama Hills on the Ugandan side, continuing towards Mbarara. A major freight and long-distance bus route
Umupaka wa Rusumo
U-mu-pa-ka wa Ru-su-mo
Rusumo border post
Usage
Main crossing to Tanzania, in Kirehe District, over the bridge at Rusumo Falls on the Kagera River. Gateway to the Central Corridor towards the port of Dar es Salaam, carrying most of Rwanda's imports
Umupaka wa Rusizi
U-mu-pa-ka wa Ru-si-zi
Rusizi border post
Usage
Crossing to the DR Congo at the southern end of Lake Kivu in Rusizi District (formerly Cyangugu), facing Bukavu. Two posts, Rusizi I and Rusizi II, both walkable. Opening depends on the security situation, so check before travelling
Grande Barrière
Gran-de Ba-ri-yeri
Grande Barriere border post
Usage
Border post linking Rubavu (formerly Gisenyi) with Goma in the DR Congo; a second walk-through post, the Petite Barriere, sits nearby. The French names are what locals use. It can close depending on the security situation, so always check first
Huye
Hu-ye
Usage
District and town in Southern Province, about 130 km and two and a half hours south of Kigali by road. Home to the main University of Rwanda campus and the National Ethnographic Museum. Renamed in the 2006 territorial reform; the former name is Butare, still widely used on older maps, guidebooks and bus destination boards
Nyanza
Nyan-za
Usage
District and town in Southern Province on the Kigali-Huye highway, the former royal capital of the Kingdom of Rwanda. The King's Palace Museum shows the reconstructed royal residence and the long-horned Inyambo cattle. Older maps label it Nyabisindu
Muhanga
Mu-han-ga
Usage
District and town in Southern Province about 50 km south-west of Kigali. A key road junction where the highway splits south to Huye and west to Karongi and Lake Kivu, and a common bus transfer point. Formerly named Gitarama
Kamonyi
Ka-mo-nyi
Usage
District in Southern Province between Kigali and Muhanga, the province's closest district to the capital
Ruhango
Ru-han-go
Usage
District in Southern Province on the Kigali-Huye highway, between Muhanga and Nyanza
Nyamagabe
Nya-ma-ga-be
Usage
District in Southern Province at the eastern approach to Nyungwe Forest National Park and the usual base for entering it. The Murambi genocide memorial is in this district. Formerly named Gikongoro
Nyaruguru
Nya-ru-gu-ru
Usage
Rwanda's southernmost district in Southern Province, bordering Burundi on the south-east side of Nyungwe Forest. Tea-growing country
Gisagara
Gi-sa-ga-ra
Usage
Farming district in Southern Province, south-east of Huye on the Burundi border
Karongi
Ka-ron-gi
Usage
District and lakeside town in Western Province at the midpoint of Lake Kivu, known for its bays and islands. About three hours from Kigali via Muhanga. Formerly named Kibuye, still the name on bus boards and older maps
Rusizi
Ru-si-zi
Usage
Southernmost district of Western Province, at the foot of Lake Kivu on the DR Congo border facing Bukavu, centred on the town of Kamembe. Also the south-western approach to Nyungwe Forest. Formerly named Cyangugu
Kamembe
Ka-mem-be
Usage
Main town of Rusizi District, holding the airport, bus stand and market, a few kilometres from the DR Congo border at Bukavu. The practical place to find lodging and change money in the south-west
Nyamasheke
Nya-ma-she-ke
Usage
District in Western Province on the south-western shore of Lake Kivu between Karongi and Rusizi, running up to the western edge of Nyungwe Forest. Coffee and tea country
Rutsiro
Ru-tsi-ro
Usage
District in Western Province on the north-western shore of Lake Kivu between Rubavu and Karongi, crossed by the Congo Nile Trail
Ngororero
Ngo-ro-re-ro
Usage
Inland district of Western Province, steep hill country crossed by part of the road between Kigali and Lake Kivu
Nyabihu
Nya-bi-hu
Usage
District in Western Province on the highland road between Musanze and Rubavu, lined with tea estates and volcano views
Burera
Bu-re-ra
Usage
District in Northern Province holding Lake Burera and views of the volcanoes, with the Cyanika crossing into Uganda
Gakenke
Ga-ken-ke
Usage
Mountainous district in Northern Province crossed by the main road from Kigali to Musanze
Gicumbi
Gi-cum-bi
Usage
District in Northern Province on the Kigali-Kampala highway, containing the Gatuna border post with Uganda. Formerly named Byumba, still the everyday name of the town
Rulindo
Ru-lin-do
Usage
District in Northern Province immediately north of Kigali, on the roads towards Musanze and the Gatuna border
Bugesera
Bu-ge-se-ra
Usage
District in Eastern Province just south of Kigali, containing the Nyamata and Ntarama genocide memorials, a group of lakes, and the Bugesera airport under construction
Rwamagana
Rwa-ma-ga-na
Usage
District and town in Eastern Province about 50 km east of Kigali and the province's administrative centre, on the southern shore of Lake Muhazi
Kayonza
Ka-yon-za
Usage
District in Eastern Province with the western gate of Akagera National Park; a road junction where the routes towards Tanzania and Uganda diverge
Ngoma
Ngo-ma
Usage
District in Eastern Province on the highway towards the Rusumo border. Formerly named Kibungo, still the common name of the town
Kirehe
Ki-re-he
Usage
District at Rwanda's south-eastern corner in Eastern Province, containing the Rusumo border post with Tanzania and the Nyarubuye genocide memorial
Gatsibo
Gat-si-bo
Usage
District in Eastern Province north-west of Akagera National Park, on the road towards the Ugandan border
Nyagatare
Nya-ga-ta-re
Usage
District at Rwanda's north-eastern tip in Eastern Province, dry cattle-ranching savanna containing the Kagitumba crossing into Uganda. Part of the former Umutara Province
Pariki y'Igihugu y'Ibirunga
Pa-ri-ki y'I-gi-hu-gu y'I-bi-run-ga
Volcanoes National Park
Usage
National park covering the Rwandan side of the Virunga volcano chain in the north-west. All mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda happens here. Permits must be booked in advance and everyone meets at the park headquarters in Kinigi
Grammar Note
"Ibirunga" is the plural of "ikirunga" (volcano); the name Virunga comes from this word
Kinigi
Ki-ni-gi
Usage
Village in Musanze District holding the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekkers assemble here in the morning and most lodges are nearby; about 30 minutes by car from Musanze town
Karisimbi
Ka-ri-sim-bi
Mount Karisimbi
Usage
At about 4,507 m the highest of the Virunga volcanoes and the highest point in Rwanda, on the border with the DR Congo. Climbing it is a two-day trip with a night camped on the mountain
Bisoke
Bi-so-ke
Mount Bisoke
Usage
Volcano of about 3,711 m with a crater lake at the summit, the most common day hike in Volcanoes National Park at six to seven hours round trip. Also spelled Visoke
Muhabura
Mu-ha-bu-ra
Mount Muhabura
Usage
Cone-shaped volcano of about 4,127 m on the Rwanda-Uganda border, climbed from the Burera District side, with a small crater lake at the top
Grammar Note
The name is generally explained as "the guide," from the cone being visible far off and used by travellers to orient themselves
Gahinga
Ga-hin-ga
Mount Gahinga
Usage
Volcano of about 3,474 m between Muhabura and Sabyinyo on the Rwanda-Uganda border, with a swampy crater at the summit
Sabyinyo
Sa-byi-nyo
Mount Sabyinyo
Usage
Volcano of about 3,669 m whose summit is the tripoint of Rwanda, Uganda and the DR Congo, recognisable by its jagged ridgeline
Grammar Note
The name is usually explained as "old man's teeth," after the eroded summit ridge that looks like a row of worn teeth
Karisoke
Ka-ri-so-ke
Usage
The gorilla research station founded by Dian Fossey in 1967. The original camp lay in the saddle between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke and can be reached on foot; the present research centre and exhibition are at Kinigi
Grammar Note
The name is a coinage combining Karisimbi and Visoke (Bisoke), the two mountains the camp sat between
Ubuvumo bwa Musanze
U-bu-vu-mo bwa Mu-san-ze
Musanze Caves
Usage
Lava tube caves near Musanze town, managed by the park authority. Visitors walk roughly 2 km with helmet and lamp; it takes one to two hours and fits easily around a gorilla trek
Ikiyaga cya Burera
I-ki-ya-ga cya Bu-re-ra
Lake Burera
Usage
Long narrow lake in Burera District, Northern Province. With neighbouring Lake Ruhondo it is known as the Twin Lakes, visited for canoeing and views with the volcanoes behind. About an hour by car from Musanze
Grammar Note
"Ikiyaga cya X" means "Lake X"; Lake Kivu is "Ikiyaga cya Kivu" in Kinyarwanda
Ikiyaga cya Ruhondo
I-ki-ya-ga cya Ru-hon-do
Lake Ruhondo
Usage
Lake east of Musanze, the other half of the Twin Lakes pair with Burera; the two are separated by a ridge of old lava
Uwinka
U-win-ka
Usage
Main visitor centre of Nyungwe Forest National Park and the start of the canopy walkway, with most of the park's trails leaving from here. On the road between Huye and Rusizi
Gisakura
Gi-sa-ku-ra
Usage
Settlement among tea plantations at the western edge of Nyungwe Forest, with the park's western entrance and lodging. The usual base for tracking the colobus monkey troops
Cyamudongo
Cya-mu-don-go
Usage
Outlying forest fragment of Nyungwe in Rusizi District. Chimpanzee tracking often takes place here and starts very early in the morning
Kamiranzovu
Ka-mi-ran-zo-vu
Usage
Large marsh and waterfall inside Nyungwe Forest National Park. One of the lower-lying parts of the park, with a trail known for orchids and wetland birds
Grammar Note
The name is usually explained as "that which swallows elephants," from the elephants that once lived in this swamp
Pariki y'Igihugu ya Gishwati-Mukura
Pa-ri-ki y'I-gi-hu-gu ya Gi-shwa-ti Mu-ku-ra
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Usage
Rwanda's fourth national park, made up of the two inland forests Gishwati and Mukura in Western Province, home to chimpanzees and golden monkeys. Reached from the Rubavu or Karongi side
Ikiyaga cya Ihema
I-ki-ya-ga cya I-he-ma
Lake Ihema
Usage
The largest lake in Akagera National Park, with scheduled boat safaris for hippos, crocodiles and water birds. Close to the park's southern gate
Ikiyaga cya Muhazi
I-ki-ya-ga cya Mu-ha-zi
Lake Muhazi
Usage
Long narrow lake in Eastern Province about an hour by car from Kigali, used as a weekend lakeside escape. Rwamagana is the nearest town
Uruzi rwa Akagera
U-ru-zi rwa A-ka-ge-ra
Akagera River
Usage
River running down eastern Rwanda and forming the border with Tanzania. Akagera National Park and the border town of Rusumo lie along it, and its water reaches the Nile system via Lake Victoria
Uruzi rwa Nyabarongo
U-ru-zi rwa Nya-ba-ron-go
Nyabarongo River
Usage
The longest river inside Rwanda, curving west and south of Kigali before joining others in the east to become the Akagera. Counted as one of the most distant headwaters of the Nile
Congo Nile Trail
Con-go Nile Trail
Usage
Route of roughly 227 km along the eastern shore of Lake Kivu from Rubavu to Rusizi, taking about ten days on foot or five by bicycle. It can also be walked in sections, breaking at Karongi or Nyamasheke
Urwibutso rwa Ntarama
U-rwi-bu-tso rwa Nta-ra-ma
Ntarama Genocide Memorial
Usage
Memorial in Ntarama, Bugesera District. The church building and grounds where many people were killed in 1994 are preserved and open as a memorial site. About 30 km south of Kigali, before Nyamata
Grammar Note
"Urwibutso" means a memorial or place of remembrance; the nationally designated genocide memorials are called "urwibutso rwa jenoside"
Urwibutso rwa Murambi
U-rwi-bu-tso rwa Mu-ram-bi
Murambi Genocide Memorial
Usage
National memorial at Murambi in Nyamagabe District, Southern Province, on the site of an unfinished technical school. It holds exhibitions on the events of 1994 and preserved remains. About an hour by car from Huye on the road towards Nyungwe
Urwibutso rwa Bisesero
U-rwi-bu-tso rwa Bi-se-se-ro
Bisesero Genocide Memorial
Usage
Memorial on the Bisesero hills in Karongi District, Western Province, commemorating the people killed in this area in 1994. It consists of several buildings set along the hillside. About an hour by car from Karongi (formerly Kibuye) town
Urwibutso rwa Nyarubuye
U-rwi-bu-tso rwa Nya-ru-bu-ye
Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial
Usage
Memorial at Nyarubuye in Kirehe District, Eastern Province, preserving the church and convent grounds where many people were killed in 1994. Close to Rusumo on the Tanzanian border
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