Urgent Contact Numbers
In emergencies ONLY (accident, injury, sudden evacuation alert) please call John Berry (MD) on +44 7900 582746
Packing lists and general information
Please check the "DOCUMENTS" tab on this itinerary for any custom notes that apply.
Tips/gratuities:
Please scroll to the bottom of the "INFORMATION" tab for guidelines on tipping.
The first thing that springs to most people’s minds when thinking of Rwanda is its turbulent political history. But today’s Rwanda is a far cry from the nation it was in the mid-90s: the country has emerged from the shadows and has much to offer visitors, most notably the tracking of endangered mountain gorillas in the lush Virunga National Park, which extends across the peaks and jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Other major tourist attractions include expansive Lake Kivu, ancient Nyungwe Forest with its rich population of primate species, and the game-rich savannah lands of Akagera National Park.
Entry Requirements
As from 8th May 2017, gorilla permits have increased from US$750 per person to US$1,500 per person
Banking and Currency
Currency
Local currency: Rwandan Franc
Symbol: R₣
ISO code: RWF
Subunit: Centime (1/100 of a Franc)
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 francs
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 francs
Banking
Card Transactions: Widely accepted in major cities
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Limited
Diner’s club: No
Banking Hours: Weekdays: 08:00 – 17:00
Public Holidays: Closed
Foreign exchange services: Yes
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
Air:
Main airlines: RwandAir
International Airports: Kigali International Airport
Domestic Airports: None
Road:
Driving on the: Right
Tar roads: Yes, primarily in urban areas
Gravel roads: Yes, common in rural areas
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes
Bus:
Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes
Rail:
Railway system: No
Subway System: No
Water:
Ferries: Limited, primarily on lakes
Water taxis: No
Leisure cruises: Limited
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, wash thoroughly
Ice: No
Meat: Yes, ensure it is well cooked
Street food: Yes, choose hygienic vendors
Local cuisine:
Rwandan cuisine features dishes like "Ugali" (cornmeal staple), "Isombe" (cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach), and "Brochettes" (grilled meat skewers). Staple ingredients include bananas, plantains, pulses, sweet potatoes, and beans, often cooked with a blend of vegetables and meat.
Drinks:
Local banana wine and sorghum beer are traditional drinks.
Tipping: Not customary but appreciated, usually around 5-10% in tourist areas.
Climate and Weather
Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging 1200 mm
Average temperature: 21°C
Summer:
Average highs: 27°C
Average lows: 15°C
Winter:
Average highs: 25°C
Average lows: 15°C
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry seasons from June to September and from December to February, which are ideal for trekking and wildlife viewing, especially for seeing mountain gorillas.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
Lightweight cotton or linen clothing is recommended for most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler upland evenings. Rainwear is advisable especially during the rainy season and sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat are recommended year round. A good pair of walking shoes is essential.
We suggest lightweight rain gear for the hike to view the gorillas, a poncho is useful.
During your safari, depending on the style of trip chosen, dress code may vary slightly. None of the lodges/hotels insist on any formal type of dress – ties, jackets etc – so the norm would be casual or smart casual depending upon the level. In towns and cities, and at certain of the more up-market lodges and hotels then long pants and shirt / golf shirt would be more appropriate (especially in the evenings), or ladies may wear a skirt of course!
Bush gear ie hard wearing clothes, no bright colours, e.g. greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended. In the day time on safari, generally shorts or lightweight trousers, t-shirts, hat, sunblock etc. as it is generally fairly warm (25-35 degrees C average). Avoid wearing blue & dark colours in areas where you may find tsetse flies, as they are often attracted to these colours, (this would be in some parts so, check with your guide).
We suggest you take something warm e.g. tracksuit, fleece or sweater for the mountainous areas. It is at a higher altitude and will therefore be cooler in the evenings. - a rain jacket/anorak is also suggested as it rains regularly in the rain forest areas, even in the drier months.
Long trousers and long sleeved shirts are also recommended for general evening use to assist in the prevention of mosquito bites and also as it’s generally cooler than during the day.
While gorilla and chimp tracking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots – with good tread and support. Many staff and guests prefer to use sometihg similar to the 'Jesus' sandal (look up brand names Teva verra sandal, and northside burke sandal). Conditions are generally very muddy/slippery. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. (Tracksuit pants often get caught on bushes, thorns, etc. and jeans can get very heavy when wet). Gloves are also highly recommended – just cheap gardening gloves will do – this will prevent your hands being scratched when holding onto vegetation for support, through dense parts of the forest. Tuck your long pants into your socks/boots to avoid biting insects. Your clothes will in all likelihood get very muddy and may not recover to their original state - therefore take old clothing for the gorilla trekking.
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK:
Insect Repellent
Torch – and Spare Batteries
Wet Wipes
Water Bottle
Binoculars and Camera, Lenses etc.
Comfortable walking / Hiking boots and Socks
Gardening Gloves for Gorilla Trekking
Sandals / Strops / Walking shoes Hat and Sunscreen
Rain Jacket
Poncho for Trekking
Sweater / Fleece
Swimwear
Binoculars (game / bird watching)
Leave your jewellery behind, and if you wear a watch preferably use a hard –wearing type
Internet Availability
Internet cafes: Yes
Accommodation options: Yes, with good connectivity
Restaurants: Yes, in major cities
Cafes: Yes, in major cities
Shopping malls: Yes, in major cities
Public parks: Yes
Libraries: Yes
Electricity and Plug Standards
Plug Type: C, J
Voltage (V): 230 V
Frequency (Hz): 50 Hz
*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.
General Guidance
Tipping/Gratuities
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you would like to tip because you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you. The amounts are not set in stone and you can tip less than the guidline or more.
You may wish to add a nominal amount ranging between US$ 10 to US$ 30 per day for incidentals (subject to personal budget choice) – i.e. if additional activities are booked once on your journey, if travel arrangements change for any reason, in acknowledgement of good service received in another area, etc.
Guides, Specialist Guides & Butlers – We recommend US$5 to US$ 10 per guest per day.
Mokoro Paddlers & Trackers – We recommend that each paddler receive US$ 3 to $5 per guest per day and that camp/lodge trackers receive US$ 3 to $5 per guest per day.
The General Safari Camp, Lodge or Hotel Staff – We recommend about US$ 5 to $10 per guest per day for safari camps/lodges. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff.
Transfer Driver – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per movement.
Porterage – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per movement.
We recommend tipping your guide directly and making use of the gratuity box in the main area for the general camp/lodge staff.