Customs & Immigration

Visas

Money & Currency

The unit of currency is the Rwanda franc. The US dollar is the hard currency of preference. It may be impossible to exchange travellers’ cheques away from the capital. Credit cards are usually only accepted at the major hotels in Kigali.

Communications

Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the entire country.
International phone calls can be made easily. Appropriate SIM cards for the network are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size will have several Internet cafes and computer centres.

Public Holidays

Good Friday and Easter Monday, which fall on variable dates, are recognised in Rwanda. Other public holidays are:

When to visit

Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. Gorilla trekking and other forest walks are less demanding during the drier months. The European winter is the best time for birds, as Palaearctic migrants supplement resident species.

What to pack

Dress codes are informal. Daytime temperatures are generally warm, so bring lots of light clothing, supplemented by light sweaters for the cool evenings and heavier clothing for the Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest. When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing to protect against stinging nettles, and solid walking shoes. A hat, sun tan lotion and sunglasses provide protection against the sun, and a waterproof jacket may come in handy in the moist mountains.

Either comfortable walking shoes or light-weight hiking boots are appropriate for all safari activities. Be sure to bring a camera, possibly with a zoom lens, and plan to bring enough film for at least 2 -3 rolls per day as the photo opportunities will be endless. Binoculars will greatly enhance game drives and forest walks, as will a good field guide to East African birds.

Bring supplies of any personal prescription medication you require plus anti-malaria pills. It is also recommended that you bring mosquito repellent. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.

Seasons and Climate

A combination of tropical location and high altitude ensures that most of Rwanda has a temperate year-round climate. Temperatures rarely stray above 30 degrees Celsius by day or below 15 degrees Celsius at night throughout the year.

The exceptions are the chilly upper slopes of the Virunga Mountains, and the hot low-lying Tanzania border area protected in Akagera National Park. Throughout the country, seasonal variations in temperature are relatively insignificant. Most parts of the country receive in excess of 1,000mm of precipitation annually, with the driest months being July to September and the wettest February to May.

Safety and Health

A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns. Hospitals are located in all major towns.

Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks

Rwanda Development Board (RDB)/
Tourism & Conservation
The Rwanda Tourism Board
Boulevard de la Révolution n° 1
PO Box 905 Kigali, Rwanda

Tel (250) 576514 or 573396
Fax (250) 576515
Email: info@rwandatourism.com