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Words to Know on Your Rwanda Safari
Popular Words to Know on Your Rwanda Safari
When visiting Rwanda, learning a few local words can greatly enhance your travel experience. While English, French, and Kiswahili are widely spoken, the majority of Rwandans use Kinyarwanda, the national language. Knowing popular phrases in Kinyarwanda not only helps you connect with locals but also shows respect for the culture. Here are some key words and phrases to know on your Rwanda safari.
Familiarizing yourself with popular Rwandan words and phrases helps create meaningful interactions during your safari. It’s especially handy when navigating local markets, engaging with guides during gorilla trekking, or participating in cultural experiences like visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Additionally, showing an effort to speak Kinyarwanda fosters respect and goodwill with the locals.
Greetings and Courtesies
- Muraho (moo-rah-ho) – Hello
This is a formal greeting often used when meeting someone for the first time. - Bite (bee-teh) – Hi/How are you?
A casual greeting commonly used among friends. - Amakuru (ah-mah-koo-roo) – How are you?
A polite inquiry about someone’s wellbeing. - Ni meza (nee meh-zah) – I’m fine.
The typical response to “Amakuru.” - Murakoze (moo-rah-koh-zeh) – Thank you.
Always appreciated when interacting with locals. - Mwiriwe (mwee-ree-weh) – Good evening.
A greeting to use later in the day.
Numbers
Knowing numbers is useful when shopping or bargaining in markets:
1 – Rimwe (ree-mweh)
2 – Kabiri (kah-bee-ree)
3 – Gatatu (gah-tah-too)
4 – Kane (kah-neh)
5 – Gatanu (gah-tah-noo)
Safari and Travel Terms
- Inzovu (een-zoh-voo) – Elephant
- Ingagi (een-gah-gee) – Gorilla
- Imisozi (ee-mee-soh-zee) – Hills
Rwanda is famously known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” - Ibirunga (ee-bee-roo-nga) – Volcanoes
Refers to the majestic Virunga Volcanoes. - Isumo (ee-soo-moh) – Waterfall
A must-see natural attraction in Rwanda.
Food and Dining
- Igisafuriya (ee-gee-sah-foo-ree-yah) – Traditional pot
Commonly used to prepare Rwandan dishes. - Ubugali (oo-boo-gah-lee) – Stiff maize or cassava flour porridge, a staple food.
- Isombe (ee-sohm-beh) – Cassava leaves dish.
- Ibishyimbo (ee-bee-sheen-boh) – Beans, a popular ingredient in many meals.
- Amazi (ah-mah-zee) – Water
Market and Shopping Phrases
- Ni angahe? (nee ahn-gah-heh) – How much is it?
- Ndashaka (n-dah-shah-kah) – I want…
- Ndagura (n-dah-goo-rah) – I’ll buy…
- Biramahenda (bee-rah-mah-hehn-dah) – It’s expensive.
Cultural Words
- Ubukwe (oo-boo-kweh) – Wedding
Traditional weddings in Rwanda are vibrant and colorful. - Umuganura (oo-moo-gah-noo-rah) – Thanksgiving Festival
An important celebration of Rwanda’s agricultural heritage. - Imyenda (ee-myend-ah) – Clothing
Often refers to traditional attire like imigongo designs.
Emergency Words
- Mfasha (m-fah-shah) – Help me
- Ndumiwe (n-doo-mee-weh) – I’m surprised/shocked.
- Amatara (ah-mah-tah-rah) – Lights
Useful for communication in case of power outages.
Common Expressions
- Ni byiza (nee bee-za) – It’s good.
A versatile phrase for expressing approval. - Ndabishimiye (n-dah-bee-shee-mee-yeh) – I’m happy.
Use this to express gratitude or joy. - Nta kibazo (n-tah chee-bah-zo) – No problem.
A reassuring phrase for smooth interactions.
You may also want to know Language in Tourism Activities in Rwanda
Knowing a few Kinyarwanda phrases can greatly enrich your experience while engaging in various tourism activities in Rwanda. Whether you are trekking through the jungles of Bwindi to see mountain gorillas, exploring cultural villages, or arranging your stay at a local lodge, speaking the local language demonstrates respect and enhances your interactions with guides and community members. Below are useful phrases for specific tourism scenarios:
1. Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is one of Rwanda’s top attractions, especially in Volcanoes National Park. During the trek, you’ll interact with guides, porters, and park staff. These phrases can help:
- Ndashaka kureba ingagi (N-dah-shah-kah koo-reh-bah een-gah-gee) – I want to see gorillas.
- Ingagi ziri hehe? (Een-gah-gee zee-ree heh-heh?) – Where are the gorillas?
- Dufite umwanya kingana gute? (Doo-fee-teh oom-mwah-nah kee-ngah-nah goo-teh?) – How much time do we have?
- Murakoze cyane (Moo-rah-koh-zeh chah-neh) – Thank you very much.
2. Cultural Village Visits
Experiencing Rwandan traditions in places like Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village is a must for cultural enthusiasts. These phrases will make your visit more interactive:
- Muraho, nshuti zanjye (Moo-rah-ho, n-shoo-tee zah-n-jyeh) – Hello, my friends.
- Ndashaka kwiga iby’umuco (N-dah-shah-kah kwee-gah ee-bee-oo-moo-cho) – I want to learn about culture.
- Mwakoze ibintu byiza cyane (Moo-ah-koh-zeh bee-n-too bee-zah chah-neh) – You’ve done very nice things.
- Ikinyamakuru cyacu kiri hehe? (Ee-kee-nah-mah-koo-roo chee-ah-choo kee-ree heh-heh?) – Where is our heritage?
3. Booking Accommodations
When arranging your stay, especially in lodges near attractions like the Volcanoes National Park or Lake Kivu, these phrases may come in handy:
- Mfite icyumba? (M-fee-teh ee-chew-mbah?) – Do you have a room?
- Ibyumba biri angahe? (Ee-bee-oom-bah bee-ree ahn-gah-heh?) – How much are the rooms?
- Ndasaba amazi ashyushye (N-dah-sah-bah ah-mah-zee ah-shoo-sheh) – I need hot water.
- Ese, hari ibyokurya bya gakondo? (Eh-seh, hah-ree ee-byo-koo-ree-yah bee-ah gah-koh-ndo?) – Do you have traditional food?
4. General Tourism Activities
These versatile phrases can be used during hikes, boat rides, or market visits:
- Mbere yo gutangira, dufite iki gikenewe? (M-beh-reh yoh goo-tah-ngye-rah, doo-fee-teh ee-kee gee-keh-neh-weh?) – What do we need before starting?
- Nshobora kugerageza? (N-sho-boh-rah koo-geh-rah-geh-zah?) – Can I try?
- Ese, tugomba kwishyura iki? (Eh-seh, too-gohm-bah kwee-she-yoo-rah ee-kee?) – What do we need to pay for?
Why Learn and Use These Phrases?
Using Kinyarwanda during your trip builds rapport with locals, makes interactions smoother, and shows genuine interest in the culture. Guides, porters, and hosts often appreciate the effort travelers make to learn and use their language, turning a regular trip into a culturally immersive adventure.
So, whether you’re trekking gorillas, exploring cultural sites, or booking accommodations, these phrases will help you connect with the warm and hospitable people of Rwanda.
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