Rwanda is one of the very few African states that are signatories of the United Nations joint statement condemning violence against LGBT individuals. This is contrary to the rest of East African states; Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda. Rwanda is open to all kinds of travelers and even LGBT travelers can visit and explore the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Since time immemorial, Rwanda has been receiving different kinds of visitors, including the LGBT travelers. While in Rwanda, your sexual preferences and identity aren’t of interest to any other person – it is private to you. This is one reason why Rwanda has become a favorable destination for all visitors regardless of their sexual orientation.
What is the attitude towards LGBT visitors in Rwanda like?
Whereas Rwanda’s views on homosexuality/homosexual acts are open, homosexuality isn’t illegal. Homosexuality remains a topic that many still look at as taboo and this is especially in the most conservative and remotest areas. There has been tolerance in urban centers with minimal cases of harassment or abuses.
Rwanda remains as the only East African country with no anti-homosexuality laws, a reason it has become a favorite destination for LGBT travelers. LGBT travel in Rwanda is on a steady increase and no challenges have been registered yet. Most accommodation facilities are friendly and for many years, they have never discriminated any traveler regardless of their sexuality.
While on Rwanda safari holiday in any of East African destination, we recommend that you keep it to yourself and stick to a “DON’T ask”.
Society & cultures
Rwanda doesn’t have laws that criminalize sexual orientation or consensual same sex sexual acts. Cases of harassment/attacks on LGBT travelers or such persons fleeing the country have never been recorded. A debate was conducted in 2009 by Rwandan government to decide whether/not to criminalize homosexual persons, and the debate ended with NO law being passed.
However, while same-sex marriages are still illegal. The Rwandan constitution only recognizes marriages between a man and woman.
Best places to visit in Rwanda for LGBTQ Travelers
- Volcanoes National Park
- Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Kigali City
- Gishwati-Mukura National Park
- Akagera National Park
- Lake Kivu
- Rwandan genocide memorial sites
Key activities to do in Rwanda for LGBTQ Travelers
- Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Golden monkey trekking
- Cultural encounters/tours
- Birding/bird watching tours
- Nature walks
- Hiking or volcano climbing
- Kigali city tour
