Rwanda

About Rwanda

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains. Its renowned Volcanoes National Park is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Travel 

You can access Rwanda through Kigali International Airport. The airport has the following airlines: RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Tourism in Rwanda

Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains. Travelers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, and much more.

Key Attractions in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park lies in southwest Rwanda is well known for chimpanzees, plus owl-faced and colobus monkeys. The Akagera National Park is characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. The national park is also well-known for wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. Lake Kivu one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes is popular for sandy beaches and wonderful weather. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide in Rwanda.

Immigration and Visas

As of 1st January 2018, nationals of all countries receive a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders. A single entry tourist visa costs US $30. A single entry conference visa costs US $30 and is valid for 30 days. A multiple entry business visa costs US $50 and is valid for one year. The East African Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, costs US $100 and is valid for 90 days. Applicants should have a valid passport or another acceptable travel document. The document must have a validity of at least six months on the day of entry into Rwanda. Visa extension applications should be submitted the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration offices. Visa extensions should be applied for whilst the initial visa remains valid.

Connectivity

Rwanda has an excellent mobile phone network covering almost the entire country, and international calls can be made easily. Local SIM cards are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns. The main provider is MTN, followed by Tigo. Mobile phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Rwanda is among the top three African countries in terms of internet connectivity, with an ever-growing fibre optic network. There is high speed 4G LTE wireless broadband in major cities. Most towns have several internet cafes and wifi is available in higher end hotels.

Financial Services

The Rwandan franc (Rfr) is the principal currency, although US dollars are widely accepted. Expect to pay for local services in cash, in Rwandan francs. A growing number of places accept credit and debit cards, with Visa being more widely accepted than Mastercard. It’s best to check when making a booking. ATMs can be found in Kigali and nearly all major cities. Cash can be exchanged at banks and private forex bureaux (bureau de change). Both are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Tipping is discretionary and appreciated.

Weather

Rwanda enjoys an agreeable tropical highland climate. Temperatures vary considerably between locations, but vary little from month to month. Peak temperatures rarely exceed 30°C (86°F) in the daytime or drop below 15°C (59°F) at night. Akagera is generally the warmest and the Virunga Mountains the coolest. The average daily temperature in Kigali is 21°C (70°F). There are two rainy seasons in a year, from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December. The dry season, from June to mid-September, sees light cloud cover and occasional light rainfall. The roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate in this period.

Health Services

The greatest health risks in Rwanda are accidents and malaria. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are recommended. Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medicines and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk. Travelers should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, following the advice of their local healthcare provider, and should consider taking a small first aid kit.