Moto-Taxis and Cab Service in Rwanda – Your Personal GPS Adventure

Let’s talk about the true kings of traffic here in Rwanda – the taxi drivers and their two-wheeled cousins, the moto-taxi riders.

On paper, everything seems perfect:
1️⃣ You open an app (think Uber or Bolt, but Rwanda-style).
2️⃣ You book your ride and enter the exact address, including any gate codes and special instructions.
3️⃣ You expect a smooth journey to your destination.

Reality check: That’s not how it works here.

In Rwanda, it’s never just a ride—it’s an interactive treasure hunt where you’re both the passenger, the GPS, and the navigator all rolled into one.

“Where are we going?” – A Question Without an Answer

I hop into a taxi, ready for a smooth ride. I politely give the driver the address. He smiles, nods like everything is crystal clear and… starts driving in the exact opposite direction.

A few minutes in, I realize the great mystery:
Not a single driver uses GPS. Not one.

The apps? Sure, they technically work. You can book your ride, drop a clear pin on the map, and even see a tiny car moving toward you. But once you’re in the car? Total confusion.

Me: “We need to go here.”
Driver: “Ah, okay!”
Drives 10 minutes the wrong way
Me: “No, no, no—this way!”
Driver: “Ah! You’re good at this!”

Just When You Thought It Couldn’t Get Crazier

Thinking, “I’ll just take a moto-taxi instead, that must be easier.” Well… think again.

Those first few weeks were like a GPS boot camp for me. Here, you hold the phone, point in the right direction, and wave your arms like a human traffic sign—all while the driver confidently speeds off as if he knows where you’re going (spoiler: he doesn’t).

Expecting a moto-taxi ride to be a high-speed adrenaline rush straight out of an action movie? Think again.

There’s no stress, no aggressive engine roar, and absolutely no reason to cling on for dear life. In Rwanda, people drive with elegance and calm—almost as if every ride is part of a beautifully choreographed dance.

And here’s the real magic: Traffic lights? Pfft. Unnecessary.

At many intersections, there are no traffic signals at all. You might expect chaos, honking madness, and drivers screaming at each other. But no.

What surprised me is how organized Rwanda’s traffic is.
No honking cars.
No angry drivers rolling down their windows to deliver choice words in the local language.

Instead, there’s a silent understanding—a kind of telepathic traffic flow. Everyone seems to intuitively know what the others are thinking, in a way that would leave even seasoned drivers in Rome, Barcelona, or Naples raising their eyebrows in awe.

It’s like the entire city has taken a secret course in “Mindful Driving 101.”

Sure, it’s frustrating—especially at the beginning when you have no idea where you are or how to explain where you’re going. But here’s the charm:

Most drivers are helpful, and patient, and genuinely want to get you where you’re going. They might not know the exact location, but they’re willing to drive around half of Kigali to figure it out with you. It becomes a team effort:

📍 You navigate.
🚗 They drive.
🤝 Together, you’ll find the way.

Pro Tips for Surviving Taxis in Rwanda:

📍 Always have your GPS ready.
📲 Send a location-sharing link if possible.
🗣️ Practice giving directions. “Turn left at the big tree” is surprisingly effective.
😅 Keep your sense of humor—you’ll need it.

Conclusion: It’s Not Just a Ride, It’s an Experience

In Rwanda, every taxi ride is more than just transportation—it’s an adventure filled with laughter, frustration, teamwork, and a fair bit of improvisation.

So the next time you hop on a moto-taxi or slide into a cab here, remember: You’re not just a passenger—you’re the co-pilot, GPS expert, and sometimes even a life coach for your driver.

And honestly, who needs Google Maps when you’ve got real collaboration and a good story to tell afterward? When you finally reach your destination, you’ll be able to proudly say:
"That wasn’t just a taxi ride. That was world-class teamwork."