Travel Safe
Rwanda is the SixthSafest Country in the World for Solo Travelers By Brunno Braga
T
raveling solo is truly one of the most amazing experiences a traveler can have. Visiting places without having to worry about the needs of fellow travelers and designing your journey yourself are some of the advantages that only a solo traveler can have. However, it is important to be careful about the location you choose, especially when it comes to safety. And in this regard, Rwanda stands out as one of the safest countries for solo travelers in the world. Located in the East African region and known worldwide for the 1994 genocide against the ethnic Tutsi population, Rwanda has long been considered a country to be avoided. However, in the last ten years, the country has shown that it has managed to overcome this serious humanitarian crisis and has become the safest nation on the African continent. Recently, Rwanda has been named the sixth safest country in the world for solo travelers, according to a study recently published by Usebounce, which elaborates a ranking that combines crime and safety to assess where individual travelers can travel and feel safe. “Rwanda has invested a lot of effort in its national security, building competent and professional security bodies,” the survey noted. According to the research, Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, has very low crime rates, which makes tourists not worry about their safety when visiting the place. In 2018, a Gallup Global Law and Order study revealed that 88% of Rwandans say they are safe to walk alone at night. This African
country is positioned behind Switzerland, Japan, Slovenia, Georgia and Iceland as the best nations for solo travelers. Another figure published by Numbeo, a company that provides a database of cities and countries worldwide, the crime index in Rwanda achieved 22.38 points (very low). Rwanda was second only to Singapore, Norway and Hong Kong. Rwanda is the smallest country in East Africa. However, this African nation can offer a rich and diverse flora and fauna, which visitors can explore by visiting the stunning rainforests of Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park. These parks are home to various wildlife including the Big Five of Africa, countless species of primates and hundreds of species of birds. Gorilla trekking is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Rwanda, which attracts thousands of tourists a year to have this unique experience, in addition to enjoying the hospitality of the Rwandan people. From its 23 sparkling blue lakes and rivers to the beautiful and imposing Virunga Mountains and its eight volcanoes, Rwanda has it all. Despite being a country with remarkable natural beauty, the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, can offer vibrant nightlife with good restaurants with local food, which consists mainly of sweet potatoes, beans, corn, peas, millet, plantains, cassava, and fruit. However, visitors can try Rwanda’s national dishes such as Ugali, a paste made from maize and water, to form a porridge-like consistency, Isombe, made from mashed cassava leaves and served with meat or fish, or Matoke; a dish made from baked or steamed bananas. https://travelnoire.com/rwanda-is-the-sixthsafest-country-in-the-world-for-solo-travelers
35 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | March 2022
Image credit: TravelPulse
