Rwanda

Summary

The ‘land of a thousand hills’ is perhaps the ultimate African good news story – and that’s only one of many reasons to visit. The country has now put the 1994 genocide firmly behind it, and Rwanda has embarked on a remarkable journey of reconciliation and rebirth. In the process, it’s become an essential wildlife destination.Rwanda’s most famous residents are probably the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. New, luxury safari lodges offer access to the gorillas’ misty mountain kingdom, and you can trek up through the forests for encounters with some of our closest relatives. Meeting our peaceful primate cousins can be a very moving and thrilling experience: the gorillas are not to be missed! Rwanda’s unique landscape consists of many small hills, dotted with villages and covered in a patchwork quilt of small fields and farm plots. You get the sense that life is going on all around you, and with Rwandans being such welcoming people, it won’t be long before you’re invited to participate.Rwanda’s Central African location means that the wildlife here is quite different to other African countries you may have visited. As well as gorillas, there are opportunities to see golden monkeys and many different Rift Valley bird species.Rwanda is a relatively small country – about the size of Michigan – and its excellent road network means that guided tours can get you to most highlights in just a few hours. On the far western side of the country, Lake Kivu holds many secrets in its depths – but does reveal fascinating insights into life in Rwanda today. Meanwhile, an ambitious conservation project has seen both lions and black rhinos reintroduced to Akagera, Rwanda’s flagship national park and now a Big Five destination. To understand more about the history of Rwanda, the Genocide Museum in the capital, Kigali, offers a sobering reminder of man’s inhumanity to man – but it is also a testament to the power of forgiveness and the resilience of the human spirit. Emerging into the bright sunlight can be a little discordant at first, but the smiles and laughter of Rwanda’s young population will soon remind you that this dark chapter belongs in the country’s past. As a visitor, you’re helping build its future.

Map

Click to display the map

Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s preeminent attraction, and arguably the best place in Africa for mountain gorilla trekking. The looming volcanoes and mist-shrouded forests are a suitably atmospheric setting in which to encounter these charismatic great apes. The trekking can be slightly hard work – but that will all be forgotten the minute you see your first silverback, or baby gorilla swinging from a branch.Gorilla conservation is taken seriously in Rwanda, and you’ll be accompanied by expert trackers and armed rangers whose job it is to protect the gorillas. Your time with the gorillas is strictly limited to one hour, but that gives you a good chance to observe the gorillas feeding, resting and grooming each other. You’ll marvel at how peaceful the immensely powerful males are as they sit pensively munching on wild celery.Volcanoes National Park is also where the American primatologist Diane Fossey conducted her groundbreaking research. As depicted in ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, she was buried here and you can still visit her grave and those of her beloved gorillas.

The fact that Rwanda is one of the world’s safest countries means that the capital city, Kigali, can be explored on foot without undue worry. The mosaic of coloured rooftops, interspersed by tongues of tropical forest, at first looks like many other African cities. But take a closer look and you’ll find a city that’s conscious of its heritage, but modernising fast.Rwanda’s government is recognised as particularly progressive, and Kigali is their showpiece. There are pleasant, car-free areas – and plastic bags are banned. All Rwandans are encouraged to participate in community service, and there’s a real sense of pulling together.Modern buildings are springing up, and Kigali has a particularly lively café and arts scene. Some of the buzz can be attributed to the excellent local coffee, but much of it comes from the energetic and entrepreneurial people who are transforming Kigali into a very livable city.Visiting the Genocide Museum is important to understand the events of 1994 – and to see how far this wonderful country has come since those dark days.

Travel Information

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk.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.

Akagera Aviation (+250 788 308 382 / +250 252 580 234) 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 (www.theeye.co.rw)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.

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Required Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever – all travelers coming from a yellow fever infected country will be required to show a valid Yellow Fever certificate on arrival. It is otherwise not required or recommended. You should be vaccinated at least 10 days before you travel, as this will allow enough time for your body to develop protection against the yellow fever infection. Your proof of vaccination certificate will only become valid after this time.

Recommended Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Malaria prophylaxis – highly recommended for all travelers

Travelers should carry and use insect repellents containing either 20% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535, as well as clothing treated with permethrin, and bed nets, to prevent insect borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever.

Malaria: Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported.

We strongly recommend you take the following preventative measures:

Use plenty of mosquito repellent. Some properties provide a locally made repellent but please bring your own as there may be skin sensitivity.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.
Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied/available.
If staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with a suitable insecticide to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room.
Mosquito coils are also effective.

There is a six to seven day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Please remember the best precaution is the preventative kind.

It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to both mother and child.

U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry into Rwanda. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.Single & Multiple-Entry VisasUS citizens can get an entry visa and pay the visa fee upon arrival at any Rwanda entry point without prior application. A single-entry visa is $50 USD and is valid for 30 days. A multiple-entry visa is 70 USD and is valid for 90 days.US citizens may also choose to get a visa at Rwanda Diplomatic Missions (except the UN Mission in New York) or online at https://irembo.gov.rw/rolportal/en/web/dgie/single-entry-visa?menu-highlight=AGE#VSA.SENV. East African Tourist VisaThe East African Tourist Visa is $100.00 USD and allows for travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with the same entry visa. The holder of the East African Tourist Visa shall enter the region from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. It is multi-entry within the three countries; however, this expires automatically if a traveler goes outside of the three (3) countries. This visa can now be applied for online for Uganda and Rwanda. It must be paid for online in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in pounds sterling or euros. Note if not paid online, the application remains pending. This visa expires as soon as you leave the participating countries, but is otherwise valid for up to 90 days. You can apply for this visa online at https://irembo.gov.rw/rolportal/en/web/dgie/east-africa-tourist-visa?menu-highlight=AGE#VSA.EATV. Please Note: Upon arrival at any border (entry point), the bar-coded email along with passport and original yellow fever certificate must be presented. The Immigration officer will scan the barcode; take fingerprints and a photograph then a visa will be printed and pasted into the passport.Also note that paying does not guarantee visa approval. You need to keep checking online to see the status of your application. Please contact us if you experience any issues.