Dragonfly Africa | Individual Incentive | 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.

VISA

As of 1 November 2014 most visitors are required to obtain a visa online before entering Rwanda.

Exceptions:

Visa-free access up to 90 days:

Hong Kong / Mauritius / Philippines / Singapore

Visa on arrival for a fee for visits up to 30 days:

Australia / Germany / Israel / New Zealand / South Africa / Sweden / United Kingdom / United States / Nationals of all non-exempt African Countries

Visa on arrival without a fee for visits up to 90 days under the CEPGL agreement:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Visa on arrival without a fee for visits up to 6 months (renewable) for citizens of EAC countries:

Burundi / Kenya / Tanzania / Uganda

NB: The East Africa Tourist Visa will allow travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with the same multiple entry visa.

All other countries need to apply for a visa. The visa takes about 24 hours but it is recommended to apply once the trip is booked to allow more time.

Application: www.migration.gov.rw/home/

Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (RFr), which is sometimes also abbreviated to ‘Frw’. It’s best to come to Rwanda with US$ or Euros in cash. The only useful bank branch in the country is Banque de Kigali in the capital, which offers cash advances on credit card and can change travellers cheques, neither of which is possible in the provinces. There are ATMs in Kigali, but they are not yet wired to an international network. Credit cards can be used in some upmarket hotels and restaurants in Kigali.

Bureau de change – which are mostly in Kigali – offer slightly better exchange rates than banks. Moneychangers hang around central Kigali and usually give a slightly better rate, but count your money carefully. All banks, and most bureau de change, are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport receives flights from many world destinations and it is the country’s premier airport. Some of these international carriers include British Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines and other domestic Rwandan airlines. Kigali International Airport is sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport.

Kigali International Airport (KGL)

Location: The airport is located in the suburb of Kanombe, at the eastern edge of Kigali, approximately 14 kilometers by road, east of the central business district. There are plans to replace this airport with a new airport located south of Kigali.

Time: Local time is GMT +2
Flight information: Tel: 250 2 583441
Getting to the city: A pre-arranged transfer is recommended
Car rental: By prior arrangement
Facilities: There are three terminals at Kigali. The main two storey terminal was built to replace the single storey building, now housing the VIP terminal. The south side of the runway has two helicopter pads with access to the main runway. There is free WiFi in the airport waiting area. There is the bank Banque de Kigali to exchange money. Furthermore there are a coffee shop and restaurant as well as a post office at KGL.

Departure Tax: When leaving Kigali Airport in Rwanda, clients must pay a departure tax of $20. In most cases, this fee has been included in the price of the airline ticket. If not, it is payable in US$.

There is a year-round risk of malaria throughout Rwanda and travellers are advised to take a course of prophylactics. A yellow fever certificate is required for all visitors coming from Yellow Fever endemic countries and countries with active Yellow Fever transmission outbreaks. Other health risks include meningitis and cholera. Bottled drinking water is available in all towns. Medical facilities are limited and medical supplies may be unavailable, although hospitals are located in all major towns. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.

Vaccinations:

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.Health recommendation:

Yellow fever is a risk in Rwanda, so CDC recommends this vaccine for all travelers who are 9 months of age or older.

Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Rabies vaccines are recommended as well as a polio booster for those who have not had one as an adult.

It is always worth checking on current security conditions before entering Rwanda. At the time of research, the country was very safe, in fact, urban Rwanda is now one of the safest places to be in Africa. In Kigali, like any capital, it is best to take care at night.

In the countryside it is advised to stick to well-used tracks.

There are a number of roadblocks along all main roads to ensure security, but foreigners are never hassled.

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. 

Average daily temperatures range from 30-34°C (86-93°F), except in the highlands where 12-15°C (53-59°F) is more the norm. A hard rain falls from mid-March to mid-May. Temperatures are at their peak from mid-May to mid-October however in the gorilla-trekking areas of the highlands the temperatures are usually moderate.

The rainforests blanketing the volcanoes in the northeast tend to see more rain than the rest of the country and snow is not uncommon on the highest peaks. There are 2 dry seasons in Rwanda. The long dry season lasts from June to September and the

shorter season lasts from December to February.

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 

Electricity in Rwanda is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Rwanda with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

Outlets in Rwanda generally accept 1 type of plug:

Two round pins