Kenya vs Rwanda: safety comparison
Kenya vs Rwanda: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.
| 🇰🇪Kenya | 🇷🇼Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) | 59 / 100 | 43 / 100 |
| Risk tier | High Risk | Exercise Increased Caution |
| UK FCDO advisory | avoid all but essential travel to parts of country; avoid all travel to parts of country | avoid all but essential travel to parts of country |
| US State Department advisory | Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) | Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) |
| Global Peace Index rank | #127 | #91 |
| Drug law | Severe (long sentences) | Severe (long sentences) |
| Women's safety rating | Exercise Caution | Exercise Caution |
| LGBTQ+ legal status | illegal | legal |
| Tap water | n/a | n/a |
| Currency | KES | RWF |
Kenya vs Rwanda: common questions
Is Kenya or Rwanda safer to visit?
Rwanda has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 43/100 vs 59/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.
Is Kenya or Rwanda safer for solo female travellers?
Kenya is rated Exercise Caution for women's safety; Rwanda is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.
What do FCDO and US State Department say about Kenya and Rwanda?
Kenya: avoid all but essential travel to parts of country; avoid all travel to parts of country (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State). Rwanda: avoid all but essential travel to parts of country (FCDO), Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) (US State).
More comparisons
Kenya vs Uganda · Kenya vs Tanzania · Kenya vs South Sudan · Rwanda vs Tanzania · Rwanda vs Uganda · Democratic Republic of Congo vs Rwanda · Rwanda vs South Sudan · Kenya vs Somalia
Planning the trip? Check Kenya visa requirements and Rwanda visa requirements.