Rwanda is a small landlocked country located in Central Africa. Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda has a beautiful landscape and rich culture.
In this article, we have compiled 43 riddles about different aspects of Rwanda, along with the answers. Some riddles focus on Rwandan geography, while others test your knowledge of Rwandan culture, history, economy, and wildlife.
Solving these riddles is not only fun but also educational, allowing you to learn interesting facts about this remarkable country in Africa. So without further ado, here are 43 riddles about Rwanda with the answers provided as well!
Riddles about Rwandan Geography
Riddles 1-5
1) I’m a long snake-like body of water in Northern Rwanda flowing from Burundi. Many people visit me to see my crocodiles and hippos. What am I? Answer: Rusizi River
2) We are known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” with lots of mountains and rolling hills. Our highest peak rises 4,507 meters. What country are we? Answer: Rwanda
3) I’m a beautiful calm lake filled with tiny islands. I’m located in Southwestern Rwanda near the border with Burundi and the DRC. What lake am I? Answer: Lake Kivu
4) I’m a volcano with lava flows dating back to 40,000 years ago. I erupted most recently in 1977. Many come to climb my summit. What volcano am I? Answer: Mount Karisimbi
5) I’m the longest river located fully within Rwanda flowing 146 km northeast. People come to see my majestic waterfalls. What river am I? Answer: Nyabarongo River
Riddles 6-10
6) We are a unique ecosystem in Rwanda with bamboo forests, grasslands, swamps and lots of wildlife. What are we? Answer: Nyungwe Forest National Park
7) I’m Rwanda’s largest lake, also known as the “inland sea of Rwanda.” I’m very deep, almost 500 meters at my deepest point! What lake am I? Answer: Lake Kivu
8) We are a chain of 6 volcanoes on the border with DRC and Uganda, including the highest peak in Rwanda. What are we called? Answer: Virunga Mountains
9) I’m the capital and largest city of Rwanda located near the center of the country. What city am I? Answer: Kigali
10) I’m a Rwandan city along Lake Kivu known for my brewery and as the tourism gateway to explore the mountains and parks. What city am I? Answer: Gisenyi
Riddles about Rwandan Culture & History
Riddles 11-15
11) I’m the native name for the residents of Rwanda. The word means “companions” or those who share good fortune. Who am I? Answer: Banyarwanda
12) We are a famous Rwandan dance traditionally performed to welcome back warriors from battle during the ancient kingdom days. What energetic dance are we? Answer: Intore dance
13) I’m handmade jewelry and brightly colored baskets woven into unique shapes and patterns by Rwandan artisans. What am I called? Answer: Imigongo
14) We are a traditional Rwandan sport similar to volleyball but we use our feet and heads without using our hands at all! What sport are we? Answer: Igikapu
15) I was the last Queen of the centuries-old Rwandan Kingdom in the 1800s before the colonial era. What is my name? Answer: Queen Kanjogera
Riddles 16-20
16) I’m the most spoken language in Rwanda derived from the native language of the country’s largest ethnic group. What language am I? Answer: Kinyarwanda
17) We are a delicious traditional meal commonly cooked in Rwanda, consisting of plantain bananas boiled and mashed into a dough-like paste. What dish are we? Answer: Ibitoke
18) I’m colorful handmade fabric with geometric patterns that Rwandan women turn into wrapped dresses and accessories. What type of traditional textile am I? Answer: Imirasire
19) We are traditional Rwandan ceremonies to celebrate landmark events such as births, weddings and funerals. What are we called? Answer: Ubudehe
20) I was the hotel in Kigali where 10 Belgian peacekeepers were killed in 1994, an event considered a catalyst for the Rwandan genocide. What infamous hotel am I? Answer: Hotel des Mille Collines
Riddles about Rwandan Economy & Agriculture
Riddles 21-25
21) We are Rwanda’s most exported agricultural product, comprising over 70% of total exports. Many farmers grow and roast us across Rwanda’s hills. What are we? Answer: Coffee beans
22) I’m a green leafy plant harvested by over 35% of Rwanda’s workforce. My leaves can be processed into products like textiles and oil. What plant am I? Answer: Sisal
23) We contribute over 33% to Rwanda’s GDP from activities like accommodation, food services, recreation and shopping. What industry are we? Answer: Tourism industry
24) I’m an agricultural technique where crops are grown in narrow terraces along hillsides to prevent soil erosion and efficiently use water runoff. What technique am I describing? Answer: Terrace farming
25) I’m a staple food crop cultivated across Rwanda, used to make flour, beer, liquor and even packaging material. Both my white and red varieties grow very well in the Rwandan climate. What crop am I? Answer: Sorghum
Riddles 26-30
26) I’m an industry that grew over 30% in Rwanda from 2010-2017, now supporting over 155,000 jobs directly and indirectly nationwide. What rapidly growing industry am I? Answer: Tourism industry
27) I’m Rwanda’s currency and main form of money. My name means “heritage” since I was introduced after the new constitution was adopted in 2003. What am I called? Answer: Rwandan franc
28) I’m a legume that fixes nitrogen in soil and is a major export crop in Rwanda after coffee and tea. I’m also used across Rwanda to feed livestock. Who am I? Answer: Soybean
29) I’m a starchy root vegetable that is a staple food for many Rwandans usually boiled and mashed into a paste to accompany other dishes. Both my white and orange varieties grow very well across Rwanda. What vegetable am I? Answer: Cassava
30) I’m the largest enclosed research facility in Rwanda studying nearly extinct species for conservation and education purposes. What research center am I? Answer: Akagera Biodiversity Research Center
Riddles about Rwandan Wildlife & Biodiversity
Riddles 31-35
31) I’m the only national park in Rwanda home to the Big Five animals – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. What park am I? Answer: Akagera National Park
32) I’m Rwanda’s largest mammal, wandering the high altitude forests of the Virunga volcanoes. I’m covered in long black fur to keep me warm! What rare great ape am I? Answer: Mountain gorilla
33) We are Rwanda’s most endangered primates commonly found around Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is actively protecting our habitats since our total population is less than 1000. What type of monkey are we? Answer: Golden monkey
34) I’m Rwanda’s largest freshwater lake with many endemic species of cichlids and spiny eels found nowhere else on earth! What biodiversity hotspot lake am I? Answer: Lake Kivu
35) I’m a large antelope wandering the savannas of Akagera National Park reintroduced after disappearing from Rwanda in 2007. Both male and female adults of my kind grow beautiful twisted horns. What antelope am I? Answer: Greater kudu
Riddles 36-40
36) We are a troop of primates with a very complex and intriguing social structure living throughout Nyungwe Forest. Our name means “those who die together.” Who are we? Answer: Olive baboons
37) I’m the most endangered chimp subspecies with a remaining population less than 300 found only in Nyungwe Forest. Who am I? Answer: Eastern chimpanzee
38) I’m the largest bird in Nyungwe Forest capable of mimicking sounds and human speech! I have grey feathers on most of my body except for red flight feathers on my wings and tail. What clever bird am I? Answer: Great Blue Turaco
39) We are the national symbols of Rwanda often depicted on flags and coats of arms. We are long horns of African buffalo warriors once used in Rwandan warfare. What are we called? Answer: Rwenzori Horns
40) I’m one of the most unique ecosystems in Africa spanning nearly 1,000 square km of Rwanda with exceptional biodiversity found nowhere else on earth! What ancient forest am I? Answer: Nyungwe Forest
Riddles 41-43
41) I’m the most common venomous snake in Rwanda whose bite can be fatal without prompt treatment. My name literally means “fighter of heaven and earth.” What dangerous snake am I? Answer: Puff adder
42) We are a family of small carnivores found throughout Rwanda known for our long bodies, short legs and bushy tails. Our name means “goat weasel” since we have similarities with both goats and weasels. What animal are we? Answer: Mongoose
43) I’m the largest frog in Rwanda, often hiding in the rainforest leaf litter of Nyungwe. My name means “eastern hill frog” since I’m only found in the high altitude forests. What frog am I? Answer: Kivu long-fingered frog
Conclusion
Rwanda certainly offers endless riddles across all aspects of its geography, culture, economy and wildlife! As you discovered the answers to these 43 riddles, hopefully you learned some fascinating facts about the beautiful country fondly called the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
So next time you hear the word Rwanda, think back to a riddle or two from this list. And who knows, you may be equipped with some unique Rwanda trivia for your next game night!
