Planning your vegan travel to Rwanda? This Kinyarwanda language guide for vegan travelers in Rwanda will give you simple phrases that make it easier to order food at restaurants, request vegan options, and even reduce the waste you create along the way.
Why a Kinyarwanda Language Guide Matters for Vegan Travelers
Rwanda is a beautiful country known for its stunning wildlife. Here you can meet gorillas, golden monkeys, and chimpanzees, as well as spot the Big Five on safari at Akagera National Park — one of the country’s most treasured reserves. While restaurant menus in Rwanda may not always have extensive vegan choices, the staff are incredibly accommodating and will often go out of their way to find or prepare something vegan for you.
Rwanda is also a world leader in sustainability. The country banned plastic bags back in 2007 and holds a monthly community clean-up that everyone participates in — even the President! This focus on reducing waste makes Rwanda an inspiring destination for eco-minded vegan travelers.
Most Rwandans you’ll meet in restaurants and shops speak very good English. It’s one of the official languages of Rwanda and is now spoken more widely than French. Still, when your request is a little different — like asking to “veganize” a dish — showing a written phrase in Kinyarwanda can really help.
A special thanks to our good friend and local partner Amos from Amahoro Tours for translating this guide for us. And if you’re traveling further afield, don’t miss our other vegan language guides in Thai, Vietnamese, and French.
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Useful Kinyarwanda Phrases for Vegan Travelers (Updated 2025)
When traveling in Rwanda, it can be helpful to know a few local phrases. These will make ordering food, avoiding animal products, and even asking for help much easier.
General
Start with the basics. A friendly greeting always goes a long way.
- Hello! – Muraho!
- Goodbye! – Murabeho!
Vegan & Dining
These phrases will help you explain that you are vegan and ask about ingredients in your food.
- I am vegan (I don’t eat animal products). – Ndi umuvegan. Sindiya ibikomoka ku nyamaswa.
- Does this food contain meat, fish, eggs, or dairy? – Ibi biryo birimo inyama, amafi, amagi cyangwa amata?
- I can’t eat meat. – Sinshobora kurya inyama.
- Please no broth made from meat or fish. – Ntashaka isupu ikozwe mu nyama cyangwa amafi.
- Meat – Inyama
- Fish – Ifi
- Pork – Ingurube
- Chicken – Inkoko
- Beef – Inyama y’inka
- Egg – Igi
- Seafood – Ibiryo byo mu nyanja
- Milk – Amata
- Cheese – Fromage
- Yogurt – Yahurute
- Tofu – Tofu
- Soya milk – Amata ya soya
- Vegetables – Imboga
- Without ____ / With ____ – Bitarimo ____ / Birimo ____
- Can I have this instead of that? – Aho kumpa ibi, wampa ibindi?
- Please tell me if I order something that isn’t vegan. – Nyamuneka umbwire niba nasabye ibikomoka ku nyamaswa.
- Can you suggest a vegan option? – Hari ibyo kurya bidakomokaho ku nyamaswa?
- No fish sauce, please. – Nta sosi y’ifi, nyamuneka.
- Can you check with the chef if this is vegan? – Wambajije umutetsi niba ibi bitarimo ibikomoka ku nyamaswa?
- Please fry in oil, not butter. – Mukoreshe amavuta, ntimukoreshe ubuto.
- Thank you for accommodating me. – Murakoze kunyitaho.
- Does this have leather, silk, or wool? – Ibi bikozwe mu ruhu, isilk cyangwa ubwoya?
Zero Waste
Rwanda is famous for its focus on sustainability. These phrases will help you avoid unnecessary waste.
- No straw, please. – Nta muheha, nyamuneka.
- I really don’t want a straw. – Rwose sishaka umuheha.
- No plastic bag! – Nta shashi!
Emergency
Hopefully you’ll never need these, but they can be very important in urgent situations.
- Please call an ambulance! – Nyamuneka hamagara Imbangukiragutabara!
- I need someone who speaks English. – Nkeneye umuntu uvuga icyongereza.
- Please send an ambulance with a doctor if possible. – Nyamuneka wohereze imbangukiragutabara iri kumwe n’umuganga niba bishoboka.
Let’s Discuss!
We’d love to hear from you! Do you have any questions? Is there anything missing in this language guide? Let us know and we might add it to a future article update!
Let’s have a discussion in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
Join Us on a Future Trip to Rwanda
If this guide has you dreaming about visiting Rwanda, you’re not alone! World Vegan Travel regularly offers small-group trips to Rwanda where you can trek to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, explore national parks, and enjoy incredible 100% vegan meals along the way.
Our Rwanda itineraries combine wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and luxury accommodation with the peace of mind that everything is planned with vegan travelers in mind.
👉 Keep an eye on our upcoming trips page or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when new Rwanda departures are announced.
