Are you planning to take a tour to Rwanda? Here are some of the most important things you should know when planning your next trip to Rwanda. Looking for ideas for your next Safari in Rwanda?
This planner section is designed to help you find all the information you need to plan a safari. Find out the safaris available, best times to go to Rwanda, how to book a safari, how to travel independently, reputable safari companies and travel agents who can help you plan your trip and more.
Visiting Rwanda
- Getting into Rwanda
- When to Go – what is the best time to visit Rwanda? what is the best time to visit the gorillas in Rwanda
- How to Book a Rwanda Safari? Find out the tour operators to use or travel agencies to buy from an all inclusive safari
- Travel Independently – How to tour Rwanda independently
Somethings to Remember
2pin travel adaptors for any electrical appliances you are intending to bring
- Mosquito Repellent
- Malaria tablets
- Yellow fever certificate
- Passport
- Sun cream
- Sun hat
OPTIONAL
– Travel Guide Book (you can also get them around Rwanda). We recommend Bradt which is focused on Rwanda and regularly updated.
- – Photo and Video Camera to take some footage during the tours.
- – Flight socks to help prevent deep vein thrombosis
MONEY
- Visa, Plus, MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro, union pay, Diners Club card to withdraw money from an international account.
- There are several ATMs around the city where cash can be withdrawn inexpensively using ATM card. The local currency is Rwandan Francs (RwF). Approximately $1 = 730 RwF, 1 Euro = 830 RwF and £1 = 1,130 RwF.
- All major world currencies are easily exchanged here in cash. So if you are bringing cash, there is no n
Communication in Rwanda
Learn a bit of French and maybe even a bit of Swahili and Kinyarwanda. All three are extremely useful while you are visiting Rwanda. English is also widely spoken, at least in Kigali. A useful Kinyarwanda vocabulary cheat sheet is available to help you get little words that you can use to communicate with the locals while visiting in Rwanda.
VISAS
Nationals from the East African Community, Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, South Africa, United States of America, Germany, Mauritius, Great Britain, Sweden, and Hong Kong may visit Rwanda without a visa for a period of up to 90 days.
If there is no Rwandan Embassy or Mission in your vicinity, an entry facility can be requested online on https://www.migration.gov.rw this facility can be used to obtain a visa at any official point of entry into Rwanda.
WHEN PACKING
Do not forget a windbreaker or a light raincoat. When tracking for gorillas you will be in a rain forest, so it will more likely than not rain, and you will also need good hiking boots, and a hat. Garden gloves, to avoid stinging nettles, and gators, are recommended. A light sweater for the evenings is recommended.
If you swim, bring your swimming costume, the main hotels in Kigali all have swimming pools. If your itinerary includes Lake Kivu at either Kibuye or Gisenyi you will have the opportunity to swim in the lake.
VOLTAGE
Voltage is 220V.
DRINKING WATER
It is NOT advisable to drink water from the taps. You will be able to get bottled water
wherever you go. Also make sure you carry bottled water on the actual tracks.
CREDIT CARDS
The unit of currency is the Rwanda franc. However the US dollar is the hard currency of preference. Very few places in Rwanda accept either credit cards or traveler’s checks. Only the major hotels in Kigali and Kivu Sun Hotel in Gisenyi plus a few airlines accept them, so make sure you have sufficient cash on you at all times.
CAMERA AND FILM
Don’t forget your camera and bring loads of film if you’re still using analogue. Also bring plenty of batteries for all your equipment. There is no charge for private filming in the Parks but there is a fee for commercial filming and prior arrangements have to be made.
VACCINATIONS
The only one you need for Rwanda is Yellow Fever. We strongly suggest that you see your doctor at home about malaria precautions.
SECURITY
Rwanda is considered the safest travel destination in the region.
COMMUNICATION
Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the entire country. International phone calls can be made easily. Appropriate SIM cards for the network are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size will have several internet cafes and computer centers.
UMUGANDA (COMMUNITY WORK DAY)
Every last Saturday of the month, from 08h00 to 12h30, all Rwandans from all walks of life take a break from their everyday chores and come together within the neighborhoods and villages to do communal work together, for the benefit of the whole society. Work often includes general cleaning and other activities like breaking fallow ground for farming, unblocking trenches and roadside drains, sweeping the streets, etc. After the work, communities have a short meeting [Inama] to discuss general societal issues and then go back home.
The afternoon is free to revert to personal engagements.
HOW TO GET TO RWANDA;
Kigali International Airport connects the world to Rwanda with flights to and from:
Addis Ababa, Accra, Amsterdam, Arusha, Brazzaville, Brussels, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Doha, Dubai, Entebbe, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Juba, Kilimanjaro, Lagos, Libreville, Mombasa and Nairobi.
Rwanda is a polythene-free country. For environmental reasons, plastic bags have been banned, the customary plastic duty-free bags included.
