If you are a seasoned ex-pat, Rwanda will be a breeze. If you haven't lived abroad before, start cultivating patience and prepare yourself mentally to not let little things bother you -like power outages, water shortages (or occasional jerry can showers), not being able to get many things here that are widely available in your home country (Rwanda is land locked and all imported things are crazy expensive), etc.
Tips
1. Don't forget to bring any medicines you may need (pharmacies / shops have few choices and items are expensive) and get all your vaccinations. Although nobody is likely to ask... you must have proof that you are vaccinated for Yellow Fever, so keep the vaccination card signed by your doctor with you.
2. Read all visa requirements from Rwanda Immigration. If you plan on working in Rwanda and obtaining your work visa here, bring your original college diploma with you. You will likely also need a police clearance from the place you resided in the six months prior to entering Rwanda. Getting these things from your home country after you leave is a pain, so bring them with you if you think you are required to submit them with your visa application.
3. If you take vitamins or specialty foods (like chia seeds) bring them with you. You might be able to find what you want here but probably not. I miss so many things... like being able to eat nuts (peanuts are widely available but all other nuts are absurdly expensive). Muesli and other cereals can cost $10 USD for a small bag / box! There is no good chocolate here unless you are willing to pay $9 or more for a simple bar.
4. Things like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, q-tips, and maxi pads are easy to get here and not very expensive. However, you may want to bring your favorite shampoo / conditioner, sunblock, a hat, shaving razor, deodorant, lip balm, etc. Don't forget any really weird things you need like shoe liners (love those comfortable gel inserts).
5. Don't plan on buying electronics here unless you love paying extra money. All imported things are taxed 70% in Rwanda. So bring what you need. Also bring movies or books (ebooks are great).
One more thing... try to be respectful and learn about the culture. Some things you do at home are not cool here... like walking on the grass, eating in public anywhere outside your home / a restaurant, or asking / publicly talking about ethnicity. Unless someone really wants to talk about politics or genocide and tell you about their (typically traumatic) experiences, leave those topics alone -your curiosity isn't worth hurting their mind by bringing up such things. Rwandans are typically modest and conservative in behavior... so don't wear clothes that are too short / very revealing, engage in public displays of affection, or curse / swear like a sailor. It's good to learn basic greetings and polite expressions like "thanks" (murakoze) in Kinyarwanda. Also respect the mourning time (week of April 7) and umuganda Saturdays (community work days that take place the last Saturday of the month from the crack of dawn until around noon or so -you either need to be doing a community project or stay at home... police will stop you if you are out without good cause). I have witnessed many expats treating their staff like dirt / underpaid slaves... please don't overwork one person and pay them a tiny wage in exchange for some substandard room in your home. Also, make sure you buy your employees health insurance and respect the labor laws of the country.
Hotspots in Kigali
