Rwanda Travel Advice

Fly direct from London Gatwick to Kigali with Rwanda Air. The service is not daily, but it does mean you don’t have to change in Amsterdam or Brussels. Rwanda has been named as the sixth safest country in the world and safest country in Africa for solo travelers.

Rwanda is one of the safest destinations in Africa, particularly for solo travelers. Crime is relatively low, with visitors sometimes experiencing petty crime, and locals are welcoming, friendly and hospitable. Pickpockets are active in crowded places, such as markets, and hire cars may be broken into for valuables.

One thing you will notice while traveling around is how clean Rwanda is; the government banned all non-biodegradable polyethylene plastic bags in 2008. There are large signs at the airport warning travelers that luggage searches can be conducted; those found with these bags may be fined 50,0

Money & Spending

Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc but we’d recommend bringing US dollars (post-2006 bills only) or euros in cash. The exchange rate against the dollar is around Rfr01300 to 1US$. US dollars are a widely accepted in Rwanda. However, the exchange rate might decline or increase accordingly you can always check the current exchange rate. Credit cards are usually only accepted at the major tourist areas so ensure you have an average amount of cash to take around the country. Credit cards are accepted Visa and master cards in some of the upmarket hotels and restaurants in but not in many other places. Amex cards doesn’t work most of the time.

Climate

Average year-round temperatures are about 12°C / 54°F to 27°C / 81°F. Rainy seasons: March to April and October to mid-December. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the short dry season from mid-December to early February or over the long dry season months of June to September.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in most places in Rwanda, with the exception of some higher-end restaurants in town where 10% of the final bill is standard. If you are doing a gorilla trek, tipping is not compulsory but it will be greatly appreciated – amounts vary depending on the size of your group and the level of assistance required. Your porter (if you choose to take one) should usually receive the highest tip, with a second tip distributed between your guides, trackers and security personnel. Bear in mind that some guides, porters and trackers are former poachers who now rely on tourists and travelers to make a living. Your generosity helps them see the value of keeping gorillas and chimps alive and all primates in general. Tipping is not compulsory but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. We recommend that you tip your guide direct at the end of your stay, it is also a nice gesture to give general lodges staff a tip; This should be placed in the communal tipping box. Obviously this is very much a rough guide and you are completely free to give whatever you feel is appropriate.

Visa & Passport Requirements

A passport valid for at least six months is required by all visitors to Rwanda. Visas are required by everyone except citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Kenya and South Africa. Multiple-entry tourist visas can be purchased from your nearest Rwandan embassy or consulate. Visas are valid for three months and can usually be extended in Kigali on a month-by-month payment basis or if you plan to visit other neighboring country you can buy East African Visa.

Gorilla trekking Permits

A gorilla-trekking permit is essential. It is important to note that children under 15 are not permitted on gorilla treks and gorilla trekking permit must be booked and bought in advance.

Social issues

Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere, but revealing clothes should be avoided. Photographing daily scenes of people is not acceptable unless you have asked permission first and paid a small fee to your intended subject. Please take the normal environmentally friendly steps you should take anywhere in the world, use water and electricity supplies carefully, re-use towels in hotels and choose locally produced goods where possible

What to Pack

You’ll need to be suitably equipped for gorilla trekking and other primates in Rwanda preparation is key. When packing for your Rwanda safari, be sure to include long, thick trousers and long-sleeved tops, long socks or gaiters to wear over your trousers as protection against ants, a pair of light gloves to protect against nettles, a hat, a raincoat and of course a pair of sturdy, comfortable hiking boots however you can hire some each item 5-10 $.It can get cold and damp on the mountains at altitude so pack a change of clothes and a warm fleece in your day pack, along with sunscreen and insect repellent.

Stinging nettles are one of the gorillas’ main food sources so there are bound to be thick patches of nettles when you encounter a gorilla family. We recommend wearing the thickest trousers possible to protect your legs against scratches and gardening or other gloves to protect your hands (you may have to grasp vegetation from time to time to steady yourself on the trek).

Other useful tips:

• Avoid wearing strong fragrances as animals have an acute sense of smell and may retreat from unfamiliar scents.
• Dress in the colors of nature i.e. browns and greens. Animals are aware of contrast and bright colors, white and strong patterns create the highest contrast against the forest background, once again making game keep their distance.
• Do not wear black or blue as these colors seem to attract tsetse flies and other bugs.
• Ensure your bug spray is environmentally friendly.
• If you can, bring extra stationery, toys or footballs for the village children. Read our useful blog on Easy Ways to ‘Give Back’ on your African Vacation here.
• Consult your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations and medication to help you cope with the altitude, if necessary. Many of the country’s roads are very ‘twisty’ or windy, so consider bringing anti-motion sickness medication if you get car sick.
• It’s about a 2.5-3 hour drive from Kigali to the gorilla trekking destination of the Volcanoes National Park. Transfers in Rwanda are usually conducted in 4X4 vehicles but you can also take a helicopter flight from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Because Rwanda is a small country, the maximum driving distance between major points of interest is about four to five hours long. In Kigali, one of the most efficient and fun ways of getting around is on the back of a local scooter – it’s a great way to get an authentic taste of the city.

Local laws

• Drug possession, use and trafficking is illegal in Rwanda, with offenders receiving heavy fines and potential jail time
• Photography of military, government buildings and border crossing points is prohibited
• Drink driving is illegal and punishable by a fine and jail time. Using a cell phone while driving is also illegal
• Inappropriate and divisive talk about the Rwandan genocide can result in financial penalties and imprisonment.
• Using a cell phone while driving is also illegal. And a big no-no is taking pictures of anything related to the government or military such as post offices, banks or border crossings.

History & Economy

A land of pre-colonial kingdoms and powerful, cattle-owning dynasties, this East African country escaped the ravages of the slave trade but was subsequently colonized, first by the Germans and then the Belgians. Independence arrived in 1962 but Rwanda’s post-colonial history has been a chequered one. The 1994 genocide was the nadir but since then the country has gone from strength to strength and punches well above its weight in regional affairs. Contributing 90% of the workforce, agriculture dominates the economy but it’s mostly subsistence farming with little surplus. Cash crops such as tea and coffee do generate foreign revenue as does mining for rare metals but tourism is the greatest foreign exchange earner.

People & Culture

Note that as a consequence of its history, modern Rwanda tends to ignore any ethnic labels the one all Rwandans. A young population (over 40% is aged under 15) the majority of Rwandans are Catholics with Protestants close behind. The country’s official languages are Kinyarwanda, French, English and Kiswahili. Rwanda now is generally seen as an easy, safe and friendly country to travel around. Music Rwandan traditional songs and dance particularly drumming and dance dominate the cultural scene and there is a strong oral tradition ranging from poetry to folk stories.

Landscape & Wildlife

Known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, landlocked Rwanda sits literally at the heart of Africa. A country of volcanoes, thickly forested mountain ranges, lakes and rivers, its position on the Albertine Rift Valley puts it at the heart of one of the most bio-diverse environments in the world although much of Rwanda’s hill country and grasslands have been turned over to terraced agriculture and the country’s large animals are restricted to its three reserves.

Most famous of these reserves is the Volcanoes National Park, home to half the continent’s remaining mountain gorillas and Rwanda’s famous gorilla trekking industry. Nyungwe Forest is a haven for other primates including chimpanzees while the little-visited Akagera National Park in Rwanda’s flatter and hotter east is the country’s sole savannah reserve. Birdlife is prolific throughout the country with around 670 species recorded.

Food and drink

Good Western food with a Belgian influence is served in tourist-orientated restaurants and hotels in all centers. Rwandan favourites include goat kebabs, grilled tilapia (a lake fish), ugali (maize pate), matoke, potatoes, Rukacarara (sorghum pate), beans, …

Try a cup of Rwandan coffee or tea

Tea is Rwanda’s largest export. The fertile volcanic soil and temperate climate are perfect for growing the plants that create this popular drink. Tea leaves can be seen covering the mountains creating a stunn