General Information
Please find below some useful travel information to help you plan your visit to Rwanda. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information.
Climate
Equatorial climate (25 – 30°C) but nights can be cold (especially at lodges near the Virungas). Chance of rain in the Virunga region is high so bring rain gear.
Mountain Gorilla Treks
In order to minimise human contact with the gorilla groups the Rwandan authorities issue Gorilla Permits – ensuring that a limited number of visitors can observe them each day. These permits are in high demand, so do book early to secure your chosen date/s.
Eco-tourism is nature-based tourism that meets conservation objectives. Gorilla tourism depends largely on the conservation of these magnificent animals. Some rules have been developed to protect the gorillas and the park rangers will brief you before the trekking. Please respect them.
Please note that there is a minimum age restriction of 15 years for visitors on gorilla treks.
Currency
The currency of Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc (RFr or Frw) but it is advisable to take US dollars or Euros in cash. US dollars are only accepted if they are dated 2009 or later, and notes must be crisp and clean with no tears.
Exchanging money: As soon as you exit the airport building, you have your choice of exchanging money at the ATM (with your Visa debit card) or there is also a currency exchange office where you can exchange U.S. cash (dated year 2009 and newer) for Rwandan Francs. Please exchange U.S. dollars to Rwandan Francs upon arrival.
In Kigali the Banque de Kigali and various Bureaux de Change – (closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays) – can change travellers’ cheques. Credit cards can be used in some hotels and restaurants in Kigali.
NB Visa is accepted in Rwanda but Master Card is not.
As with all safari destinations, please do NOT give money or treats directly to children – it encourages them to become beggars and to stay out of school hoping to get handouts from visitors. Instead, donations can be made to reputable charity causes or community projects suggested by your hotel or by our ground agent.
What to Bring with you
With changeable weather conditions and dense forest vegetation it is advisable to take layers of protective clothing. We recommend wearing the following:
- t-shirt
- long-sleeved top
- warm fleece / jumper
- thick trousers
- thick wool socks (and gaiters preferably)
- strong lightweight, water-proof walking boots
- hat with brim
- garden gloves to aid scrambling up banks
And carry a small rucksack with:
- passport (park rangers will require to see your passport at the Park headquarters before you can start your trek)
- water
- pack lunch and snacks
- binoculars
- camera / video camera with spare battery, memory cards or film
- light-weight rain mac / poncho
Walking sticks are available at the Park headquarters and porters can be hired for approx US$10.
A sealed plastic bag around camera / lenses will help keep them dry on the trek.
Pockets are useful for valuables and spare camera batteries / lenses etc as all other equipment must be left with porters approx 200 metres away from the gorilla groups.
Security
After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has stabilised. Democratic elections have been held, and Rwanda is one of the most stable and safe African countries.
Community Day
The last Saturday of each month is “community day” when all Rwandans are required to partake in community projects, such as cleaning their neighborhood etc. Please be aware that many businesses close on this day, including the Genocide Memorial Museum.
Plastic Bags
In order to preserve the natural environment, Rwanda enforces a law that restricts plastic bags / sacks coming in to the country. Please note that these can be confiscated at Kigali airport.
Health Requirements
The recommendations regarding vaccinations and anti-malarial drugs constantly change so please ask your G.P. / medical centre for up-to-date details. A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required (for all travellers over 1 year old).
Immigration
From 1 Jan 2018, Citizens of all countries are allowed to get visa upon arrival without prior application.
As from March 2020, citizens of countries members to the following international organizations; African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie get visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a visit of 30 days – Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, Dominica, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, Grenada, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Kiribati, Jamaica, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Maldive, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Principality of Andorra, Romania, Republic of Macedonia, Saharawi Republic, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, The Bahamas, The Gambia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
A citizen of East African Community Member States (Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and South Sudan) shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for the period of six months.
The following countries to be granted 90 days valid visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the state Qatar.
Citizens of all countries that are not visa exempt have the option to submit application online or at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of the country of residence before departure. Those applying online have the option to pay online or upon arrival.
- If you are traveling to Kenya first and then to Rwanda: you can get an East Africa Visa (currenty $100 USD), upon arrival in Kenya. The East Africa visa covers multiple entry to Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda
- If you are traveling to Rwanda FIRST and then to Kenya: you can get an East Africa Visa upon arrival in Rwanda or on line at: https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=2
- If you are traveling to Tanzania first and then to Rwanda, you can get your Tanzania visa ($100 USD) upon arrival in Tanzania, and then get your Rwanda visa ($30 USD) upon arrival in Rwanda
An East Africa Tourist Visa ($100 USD) on Arrival is a borderless visa – a partnership between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya – allows for multiple-entry to those countries over a period of 90 days.
There is no single affiliated Agent that is authorised to apply for visa on your behalf. Such Agents may mislead you and charges more than the required visa fees.
The visa fees must not exceed 50 USD for single entry visa or 70 USD for multiple entry.
Click Here for the communique on the new visa regime.
Click here to apply at the Rwanda Government Portal, Irembo. Please don’t apply too early the visa is normally valid for up to 60 days from the date you apply so you’ll want to make sure that the 60 days will not expire until AFTER you return home.
