Rwanda Kigali & Gorillas: Itinerary & SADC rates

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.

Rwanda is a small, land locked country in Central Africa. It has five volcanoes and 23 lakes as well as several rivers. A large part of the country has an elevation of between 1,500 and 2,500 meters.

In prehistoric times as much as one third of Rwanda was covered with mountain rainforest. Today the only large tract of forest left in Rwanda is Nyungwe in the southwestern part of the country; it covers almost 1000 square kilometers. Some areas of forest are also found in the Volcanoes National Park in the northeast, but most of the natural vegetation here is bamboo forest and open moorland.

The highlands in large parts of the country are now dominated by the terraced agriculture that gives the Rwandan countryside its beautiful and pleasant character. The eastern part of Rwanda has entirely different vegetation, the typical African bush, a mix of savannah and grassland dominated by acacia trees as well as large tracts of marshlands and swamps.

Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali, offers a few pleasant surprises!  Rwanda’s capital is beautifully located on a number of hills. It is conveniently located in the center of the country and is well connected with good roads to all border crossings.  Although not very many ‘tourist’ attractions are found in Kigali it is one of Africa’s safest cities and the atmosphere is pleasant and the city is known for its exceptional cleanliness. There are several good hotels and many restaurants are well worth a visit. The visitor can join a very interesting city tour and however horrific, a visit to the genocide museum is a sobering experience and as well highly recommended.

Effective 10 March 2020, the President of the Republic of Rwanda approved a waiver for entry visa to the citizen's members of African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie in an effort to continue the implementation of the country's openness policy. All other nationalities qualify for a 30-day Rwandan visa on arrival, without prior application. Cost is USD 50 for single entry and USD 70 for multi-entry.

If you prefer to apply ahead of arrival, please refer to: https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services?lang=en for the latest Visa information and for online applications. Online payments can also be made via the same Government Portal.

If you are planning an East Africa trip to include Uganda, Rwanda and/or Kenya, it may be better value to apply for a multiple entry visa EAC EAST AFRICAN TOURIST Visa – valid for 90 days for tourists only.  Cost is USD100 per visa, valid for 90 days – please note that you must travel consecutively within each of these countries to take advantage of the East African visa – you cannot, for example, start your trip in Rwanda, visit Tanzania in between then return to Kenya – then you will need to apply for another visa. https://irembo.gov.rw/rolportal/web/dgie/east-africa-tourist-visa

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 

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 

Rwanda does not present any major health hazards. All towns normally have a well-stocked pharmacy although the individual traveler should bring any known personal medication along.

All travelers to Rwanda must be vaccinated against Yellow Fever at least 10 days before arrival in Rwanda. 

Malaria is less prevalent in Rwanda than in many other African countries but as it does exist in most parts of Rwanda using prophylactic drugs and preventing mosquito bites will reduce the risk of getting malaria.  Ideally try and avoid mosquito bites between dusk and dawn, as this is the period when the malaria-carrying mosquito is most active.  Do this by wearing long sleeved shirts/pants, and of course spraying with mosquito repellent.

As with all medical requirements, your doctor or travel clinic (http://www.travelclinic.co.za) to provide the most up to date information - the above is a guide only. 

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. 

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. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Recommended during the rainy seasons 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

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