An Adventure to Rwanda

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.

ENTERING RWANDA

You DO require a visa to enter Rwanda if you are a citizen of -

· Australia

· Canada

· United Kingdom

· USA

· any of the EU countries

If you are a citizen of another country, please consult THIS LIST to determine if you need a visa before you enter.

In all cases, ALL visitors are required to have a passport which is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Rwanda. In all instances, ALL visitors must ensure there are THREE successive blank pages in their passport per country to be visited.

Visitors traveling through South Africa, to and from Rwanda, should be advised that the passports of ALL travellers to South Africa must contain at least TWO blank consecutive (unstamped) visa pages each time entry to South Africa is requested; these pages are IN ADDITION to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport.

Foreign nationals to Rwanda requiring a visa are divided into two categories, those who are required to obtain an entry visa before travelling, and those who may purchase their visa upon arrival.

NOTE: Currently nationals of Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, and USA will be issued with an entry visa upon arrival without prior application. Please check as this is subject to change.

Visas obtained in advance may be applied for manually at relevant Rwandan Embassies and Consulates, also online HERE

If purchasing a visa on arrival, travelers should have the exact amount in US$ cash. (No US$ bills older than 2006 accepted)

East Africa Tourist Visa

Travellers also visiting Kenya and Uganda, may wish to consider purchasing an East Africa Tourist Visa (common cross-border joint visa), which allows entry into all three countries on a single visa. If Rwanda is your first port of call, an East African visa (currently Class T12), may be applied for online HERE

For further/additional information on the East African Tourist Visa, please see HERE

NOTE: Tanzania is NOT part of this joint visa initiative and persons travelling to both Rwanda and Tanzania will have to purchase two separate visas.

CURRENCY - CREDIT CARDS, ATM's

The currency of Rwanda is the Rwanda Franc (RWF), which is made up of 100 Centimes.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are now accepted at major lodges and shops in Rwanda and can be used to make payments. MasterCard, followed by Visa, are the preferred cards.

American Express and Diners Club are NOT accepted. Virtually all locations charge a 5-10% fee for using a card. Higher rates in excess of 25% can be encountered. Debit cards are not acknowledged. Smaller vendors do not accept credit cards.

ATM’s

Whilst we advocate drawing some local currency, ATM’s are far and few between, and in addition may be affected by power cuts. ATM’s are available at Kigali airport as well as in Kigali itself, but not all accept foreign cards. With this in mind, it is advisable to travel with US$, in a mixture of denominations, on your person.

Foreign Exchange

When exchanging cash, the most acceptable foreign currency is the US$.Other hard currencies can be used, notably Euros, although these may be subject to less favourable rates of exchange. US$1 bills are not accepted.

NOTE: US$ dated 2006 or earlier are NOT accepted in Rwanda.

TIPPING

Although not compulsory, if you are happy with the level of service provided, it is customary to show appreciation by tipping guides, drivers, and support staff, and it is appropriate to do so in US$ or Rwanda Franc (RWF). Amounts vary depending on the size of your group and the level of assistance required.

Your gorilla tracking porter (if you choose to take one), should ordinarily receive the highest tip, with a second tip distributed between your guide, trackers and security personnel.

A recommended tip is US$25 - US$30 per day for tracking, per traveller.

This may be given to the guide in view of the trackers once out of the park such that he can distribute amongst the trackers and himself.

General Guidelines for Tipping

· Porters at parks - $20-25 per person per day

· Head Guide (when gorilla tracking) - ±$10 per person per day

· Trackers - ±$10 per person per day

· Security personnel - ±$10 per person per day

· The tip for the team of three above should add up to roughly US$25 - US$30 per day of tracking, per traveller

· Driver-Guides - $5 - $10 per person per day

· Park Staff/Forest Walks - $5 per person per walk

· Butler - $15 per couple per day

· Lodge/camp Staff - $8 - $10 per couple for 1 – 3 days stay

· Hotel/lodge porters - $1 - $2 per person per stay

· Restaurants - 5 - 10% of the bill

Whilst it is not encouraged to carry enormous quantities of cash, be aware that facilities for exchanging or drawing cash are restricted to the bigger towns and to Kigali. NOTE: US dollars dated 2006 or earlier are NOT accepted in Rwanda.

Akagera Aviation provides helicopter flights all over the country. Rwandair flies internally to the southeastern town of Cyangugu.

There is a lot of work being done to improve the roads, and in some places you will find smooth tarmac, while in others you will be going along pot-holed dirt paths.A 4-wheel drive vehicle is needed for some local roads. There can be landslides on some of the major roads during annual rainfall in spring and autumn.Extra care should be taken at night, as headlight use is erratic. During rainy season some roads can become impassable.

There are no international car hire companies operating in Rwanda, but there are several local companies. You will find these listed in the Eye magazine given away at the airport and in hotels. 

Taxis can be found in large towns and cities. Look for the official orange stripe. Fares are reasonable, but should be agreed in advance (ask a local if you think you are being overcharged). Tipping is not expected.

Bicycle and scooter taxis are the quickest and cheapest way to get around in the towns, however they are risky.

Minibus taxis provide links to and from all towns and some villages. Although it is not common for foreigners to travel this way, they are quite safe and efficient. However you will have to wait until they are full before departure if you get on at the start of the route. The Virunga Express (www.virungatravel.com) and Onatracom Express provide more direct intercity links.

Rwandans drive on the right. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless with a hands-free set. Seat belts must be worn in the front. It is advised not to drive after drinking, breathalisers are in use and if found to have more than 0.8 mg of alcohol per 1 litre of blood, you are likely to face imprisonment. Speed limits are 40km/per hour in the city and 60km outside the city. If the car in front is using the left indicator it often means it is not safe to overtake, the right indicator tells you the road ahead is clear.

An International Driving Permit is required. An entry permit is needed if you have travelled from outside the country, insurance document and driving licence.

You can hire a boat to take you from Gisenyi to Kibuye if you ask at one of the lakeside hotels.

VACCINATIONS & GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Malaria

Since malaria is endemic in many areas of East Africa, including Rwanda, it is strongly recommended you obtain anti-malaria medication before entering the country.

To obtain a prescription for anti-malaria medication, visitors should consult their own medical doctor or health authority prior to departure. Currently, the most commonly prescribed anti-malarial tablet is Malarone. Your primary-care physician will be able to offer the best advice.

Vaccinations

Medical services and facilities are very much limited to Kigali, and medicines are often unavailable; as a precautionary measure, diphtheria, tetanus, cholera, polio, typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations, although not compulsory, are recommended. ALL travellers to Rwanda DO require a yellow fever vaccination. The yellow fever inoculation is valid for ten years, and must be administered no later than ten days prior to departure.

NOTE: You are required to travel with your Yellow Fever certificate/card.

Bilharzia

Bilharzia is present dams and rivers in the some of the more remote areas of Rwanda. Check with resident locals before swimming.

Water

Drink bottled or boiled water only! Camps and lodges supply clean (bottled or filtered) water. Always check with the camp/lodge staff if it safe to brush your teeth with the tap water.

Medication

Pack your own basic medications for headaches, hay fever etc and any other minor afflictions, and/or travel-related maladies.

NOTE: Pack any prescription/chronic medication you may require for the duration of your trip.

Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Health Requirements

Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are HIGHLY susceptible to human disease, including colds and flu. If you are participating in a gorilla/chimp trek you need to be free of ANY visibly contagious diseases, and this is checked at the start of the trek by the Park Authorities. If you have any concerns about your health status at the outset of a trek, it is recommended you inform your safari guide as soon as possible, and he will seek advice as to the best way to manage the situation.

NOTE: If Park Authorities are in any doubt as to your condition, they reserve the right to prevent you from continuing on the trek.

Food is generally safe to eat if well-cooked and hot. If in doubt, veer towards larger restaurants in cities and those aimed at tourists, which will have undergone government safety checks. Avoid buying food from the side of the road and don’t drink tap water. Use bottled water or otherwise boil or sterilise. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

The majority of the population in Rwanda live off subsistence farming and so their meals rely heavily on starchy crops such as potato, maize and cassava. This is generally served with kidney beans and cabbage and where meat can be afforded it is most often goat. However, the restaurants of Kigali and other towns will generally serve grilled meat with french fries and sometimes rice with spicy stews.

Hotels generally serve a reasonable choice of European dishes, and there are Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants. Some restaurants also serve Franco-Belgian cuisine and African dishes. A fairly good selection of beers, spirits and wines is available. Beer is also brewed locally.

You will see brochettes on most menus, these are basically a skewer of your chosen meat or fish served with rice or chips. Other local specialities include: tilapia, a white fish found in Lake Kivu and also farmed locally and appears often on menus; Matoke, cooked plantain, which may be served when you are expecting potatoes (and usually tastes a lot like potatoes!)

Primus is the local beer of choice. Mutzig is very similar but more expensive and often comes in large 700ml bottles. The local banana wine is for the brave, it is called urwangwa and you should be able to pick up a bottle in a supermarket to try in the privacy of your room.

There is no clear principle on tipping in Rwanda, but most staff in the bigger hotels have come to expect it, as have guides and trackers. A general rule is to tip 10% in restaurants if you feel inclined and give $5 - $10 to guides, trackers and porters.

THE WEATHER in RWANDA

Fractionally south of the equator, Rwanda's relatively high altitude provides it with a pleasant tropical highland climate. Temperatures vary considerably between locations depending on their altitude, but very little from month to month in the same place.

In the capital, Kigali, the average daily temperature is about 21°C/67°F, but elsewhere the temperature ranges from 12°C/53°F to 27°C/81°F.

Rwanda's long rainy season lasts from about March to May, when the rain is heavy

and persistent, and then the short rains come from October to November.

June to mid-September is the long dry season, which is followed by a short dry season from December to February.

During both of Rwanda's dry seasons, there is often light cloud cover, this helps to moderate the temperatures, but can also brings light rain showers.

WHAT to PACK for RWANDA

When tracking the gorillas or chimpanzee we recommended wearing sturdy clothing to help protect against scratches, nettles and mud.Loose-fitting, relaxed cotton clothing is the most comfortable during the day. It is warm in the plains but often cold in the hilly and mountainous areas; it is best to wear layers of clothing as temperatures tend to change. A rain jacket, warm sweater and boots are also therefore essential. Rwandans appreciate modest dressing.

Must Haves

· A good wide-brimmed sun hat – for the intense African sun

· A bandana - for the dusty, dry regions

· Lightweight walking boots – for going up and down steep hills (sometimes in mud), preferably ‘worn in’

· Comfortable tennis shoes or sandals – for around the camp/lodge

· Golf shirts or T-shirts

· Long-sleeved cotton shirts – to provide protection from sun, as well as from mosquitos in the evenings

· Shorts – for around the camp/lodge

· A sport bra - for bumpy drives

· A micro-fibre zippered jacket and light rain gear - for rainy season

· Swimwear – whilst at all times respecting modesty of local custom

· Warm fleece, anorak, scarf, gloves and beanie - morning and evenings, for the winter months, and for higher altitudes, where it is cool even in summer

· One better dress, or trousers and shirt - if you are staying overnight in Kigali

A Detailed List of the Most Practical Items to Pack

· Khaki, green, beige, neutral colours – NO army camouflage clothing

· Shirts with long sleeves

· T-shirts

· Long sturdy/safari trousers

· Light-weight breathable rain poncho or parka with a rain hat

· Warm fleece or light wool sweater

· Strong waterproof walking boots – comfortable and ‘worn in’

· Lightweight wool socks

· Moisture-wicking underwear

· Personal toiletries – consider Citronella soap which acts as an insect repellant

· Sufficient sanitary products

· Sun block, after-sun gel, moisturiser, lip salve/balm

· Strong insect repellent - for mosquitos

· Hat and sunglasses

· Torch – a headlamp works well

· Protective gloves – to grip vegetation (inexpensive garden gloves work well)

· Binoculars and camera equipment (plus a water- and/or dustproof bag)

· Daypack - for carrying water, packed lunch, binoculars and camera equipment

NOTE: A walking stick is recommended, and may be hired from your guide or borrowed from the lodge.

LAUNDRY

Laundry can be done at most camps. At most camps and lodges, this service is complimentary, but there may be a nominal charge at some establishments.

Owing to prevailing local traditions in Rwanda, the staff will not wash underwear or intimate apparel.

It is totally acceptable to wear the same outfit more than once while on safari, there is no need to be a fashionista in the bush!

Wireless internet is now available throughout the country, either by using a dongle, which can be purchased in Kigali and other major towns, or by using WiFi hotspots. MTN hotspots are widespread and you can access them using your mobile phone credit if you have bought an MTN SIM card. There are also many internet cafes in Kigali and other large towns.

POWER in RWANDA

Camps and lodges in Rwanda are situated in remote areas and generate their own electricity - either by solar power or by diesel generator. These power sources in turn charge banks of batteries known as an inverter system, which then provides 220Volt power in (tented) rooms for lighting and ceiling fans. Some lodges and camps have power only at certain times of the day. Bear in mind that solar power is weather dependent and at times insufficient sunshine may mean lighting and power is limited. In these instances alternative lighting is generally available e.g. storm lanterns, but continuous and uninterrupted charging of electronics will not be possible.

Hairdryers & Electric Shavers

It is often not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers in (tented) rooms at the camps/lodges, as they have low-wattage fuses. You will however be able to charge your equipment in a designated area in the camp - either in your room, or in a central charging station in the common areas. Some of the camps have adapters for your use, but it is strongly advised to travel with your own adapter.