Rwanda is a wonderful destination for those seeking adventure, nature and beauty. Our travel information section aims to provide you with useful information and resources for your safari holiday to Rwanda.
- Contact us for more information or to discuss your travel plans with one of our dedicated travel consultants.
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Getting There
Rwanda’s main international airport is Kigali International Airport (KGL), located on the outskirts of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
There are direct flights from UK into Kigali on RwandaAir.
Flights from USA involve a stop in London Heathrow if flying on Rwanda Air.
You can check your best flight route here
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Time Zone
Time zone in Rwanda (GMT+2)
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Security & General Travel Safety
To view the current travel advisory to Rwanda click here:UK & USA
After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has stabilised. Democratic elections have been held, and Rwanda is one of the most stable and safe African countries.
Our head office is based in Nairobi and we work with reputable safari companies who are located on the ground in Rwanda. These companies are the eyes and ears on the ground and can inform our head office in Nairobi of any security situation as it may happen, ensuring that we can act and respond swiftly.
Other general travel safety advice:
– In the cities and main tourist areas, be on the alert for handbag snatchers and pick pockets.
– Do not travel with any precious jewellery items.
– Make copies of your travel documents and keep these in a safe place – separate from the original documents.
-Split out cash into separate bundles of small amounts and keep separately.
– Ensure that luggage can be locked.
– Always wear sear belts whilst traveling in vehicles and ensure doors are locked.
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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 US$ cash (dated year 2009 and newer) for Rwandan Francs. Please exchange U.S. dollars to Rwandan Francs upon arrival.
Credit cards are increasingly accepted in larger bars, restaurants and in many supermarkets.
Many camps/lodges will be pre-paid before your safari, with tips needing to be settled upon departure. If you do need to settle something to a bill, please be aware that some camps/lodges in remote areas may not accept credit/bank cards, so it is advised to have enough US$ or Rwandan Francs in cash to cover any additional costs.
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.
Always inform your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block any attempt to withdraw cash or use card machines if they have not been informed beforehand.
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Tips & Gratuities
Tipping is entirely at your discretion and although it is not a requirement it is customary to tip for good service. There is not a set amount to tip, so please take the following information as a guideline:
Tipping Guidelines:
Guides: $10-$15 per person per track/day
Gorilla porters: $10-$15 per person per track/day
General staff: $10-$15 per guest per day
Gratuities for the general staff are evenly distributed between all team members. Tipping boxes are usually available on your day of departure from each lodge.
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Health Information
Malaria:
It is advised that visitors take malaria precautions when travelling to Rwanda. It is recommended that you contact your Doctor or Travel Health Clinic at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.
You can reduce the risk of malaria by using prophylactics (which should be started before arriving in Rwanda and under your doctor’s guidance) and by following these simple procedures:
– Wear long sleeves and long trousers to avoid bites from mosquitos, insects and ticks.
– Apply mosquito repellents on a regular basis to exposed skin.
– Where possible sleep under a mosquito net.
– Burn an insect/mosquito repellent candle or coil.
All travellers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of malaria and should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if these occur either whilst abroad or up to a year after their return. Speak to your Doctor or Travel Health Clinic for more information.
Vaccinations:
Yellow Fever – A yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Rwanda if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
The recommendations regarding vaccinations & anti-malaria tablets need to be discussed with a professional, therefore it is advised that you contact your Doctor/medical centre/ travel health clinic for up-to-date details, this should ideally be done at least 8 weeks before you travel.
COVID-19:
Currently, there are no COVID testing requirements to enter the Rwanda.For more information see the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
Gorilla Tracking Requirements:
Tracking gorillas in Rwanda can be testing and requires a moderate to good level of fitness (though it is deemed easier than from Uganda where the trails are steeper and less accessible). Treks are often 2 to 3 hours each way (but can be more) and involve hiking through dense forest and traversing steep ravines and mountainsides, often in damp conditions. However, all this adventure is worthwhile for a glimpse of one of nature’s finest spectacles.
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Drinking Water & De-Hydration
- Drinking Water:
Do not drink water straight from the tap, always drink from bottled water.
Also avoid ice as this may be used from tap water,
Brush teeth with bottled drinking water.
De-Hydration
Always take a bottle of drinking water in your day bag on any activity or excursions – even if it’s a short one – and take regular, small drinks of water.
Wear a hat and sunscreen at all times and cover up/take shade from the heat of the sun, especially during the hottest times of the day.
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Bites & Stings
Bugs and small creatures are all a part of being in the wilds of Africa. It is of course important to take precautions against any opportunity for bites or stings, so being aware is important.
When walking in the bush always wear long trousers and enclosed shoes or walking boots , with thick socks covering the ankles for protection. When walking in long grass, check your legs and clothes for grass ticks – especially in the rainy season, even when you are wearing long trousers.
Check & shake out shoes and walking boots before putting them on.
Always look first to see where you are sitting, when picking something up or when putting your hand/foot into something, like a bag or shoe – check first!
If you think you may have been bitten or stung by something, always inform the Camp Manager & Safari Guide as soon as possible.
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Internet, Electricity and Plug Standards
Internet and mobile coverage is widespread throughout Rwanda, with 4G LTE wireless broadband in the major cities. If necessary, we can check each camp individually if there is a wish to know if it has an internet connection.
Rwanda operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Solar power is also common in safari locations.
Rwanda uses plug types C (2 pin) and J (3 pin).
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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.
There are two rainy seasons in a year, February to May and September to December.
The dry seasons, from January – February and June to September, sees light cloud cover and occasional light rainfall. The roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate in this period.
April tends to have the most rain and June/July the least.
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Visa & Passport Requirements
PASSPORT
• Passport valid for a least 6 months from your date of entry.
• Enough blank pages (a min of 3) in your passport to fit the required entry visa.VISA:
A visa is required to enter Rwanda.
Thirty-day tourist visas are free and available on arrival for citizens of member states of the Commonwealth (including the UK), as well as for those of the African Union and the Francophonie.
For other citizens (including US) you may obtain a 30-day tourist visa at the port of entry for $50 (single entry) or $70 (multiple entry). It is advised to have the amount in cash in U.S. dollars to pay for the visa. You can also arrange your visa online before you travel.
Click here for Visa information
Click here for online Visa Application at the Rwanda Government Portal, Irembo.
If you are visiting more than one of the following destinations you can apply for a Visa as follows:
If you are traveling to Kenya first and then to Rwanda: you can get an East Africa Visa (currenty $101 USD, incurs $1 handling card), upon arrival in Kenya. The holder of the East Africa tourist visa issued by the Mission shall enter through Kenya and move to either Uganda or Rwanda and return to Kenya without having to apply or pay for another visa within a period of 90 days. The East Africa Visa Sticker will be issued at the point of Entry in Kenya. CLICK HERE
If you are traveling to Rwanda first and then to Kenya: you can get an East Africa Visa upon arrival in Rwanda or online at: CLICK HERE
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.
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Clothing Suggestions
With changeable weather conditions and dense forest vegetation it is advisable to take layers of protective clothing. We recommend wearing the following on Gorilla Trek:
- 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
- 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.
Also consider packing:
– Comfortable, loose fitting cotton clothing in dark green, khaki or brown is recommended. Black, blue, and other dark-colored clothes are not recommended, as they may attract tsetse flies near the water.
– Quick-drying clothes.
– Long sleeves and long trousers, shorts and t-shorts with enclosed footware.
– Jacket or fleece for early mornings and evenings, when it can get chilly.
– Hat to keep the sun off and protect from sunburn.
– Swimming costume.
– Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for relaxing at the lodges.
– Small day pack to hold water bottle, binoculars, notebook and pen, sunglasses, flashlight &/or head torch.
See here for our clothing packing guide
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Travel Insurance
All travellers must have adequate and comprehensive travel health insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers all the activities you plan on doing in Rwanda and covers your full stay in the country and travel to/from.
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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.
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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.
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Getting There
