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Update April 12, 2024

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Travel Advisory March 29, 2024

Rwanda - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with updates to add area of Level 3.

Exercise normal precautions in Rwanda. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise Increased Caution in:

• The Rwanda-Burundi border due to armed violence.

Reconsider Travel to:

• The Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border due to armed violence.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Rwanda.

If you decide to travel to Rwanda:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Rwanda.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Rwanda- Burundi  Border—Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution The Nyungwe Forest National Park abuts the border with Burundi. Borders may not be clearly marked. It is required to obtain permits from the Rwanda Development Board prior to entry. Relations between Burundi and Rwanda are tense and there have been cross-border incursions and armed violence.

Rwanda- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)  Border – Level 3: Reconsider Travel Armed groups operate in DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces and Virunga Park which is adjacent to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The area has experienced escalating levels of armed conflict which could spill across poorly marked borders. Permits are required from the Rwanda Development Board prior to entry to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Yes. Yellow fever vaccination if entering from a country where yellow fever is endemic and/or where there is an active outbreak of yellow fever.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Kigali 30 KG 7 Avenue Kigali, Rwanda 

Telephone : +250-252-596-400-7000 (Monday through Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)  Emergency After-Hours Telephone : +250-252-596-400, and dial 1  Fax : +250-252-596-591  Emails :

• American Citizen Services: [email protected]
• Immigrant Visas: [email protected]
• Non-Immigrant Visas: [email protected]

To receive Alerts and other information from the Embassy during your stay in Rwanda, please sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) online at step.state.gov.  

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s  Fact Sheet on Rwanda  for information on U.S.-Rwanda relations. 

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Requirements for Entry: 

• U.S. passports must be valid for six months after the date of entry into Rwanda.  
• Obtain a 30-day tourist visa at the port of entry for $50 (single entry) or $70 (multiple entry). Credit cards are generally accepted at the Kigali International Airport but are not accepted at some land borders. The U.S. Embassy recommends that travelers arrive at the Kigali International Airport travel with sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for the visa in case credit card transactions are not possible at the time of your arrival. Additional information about this process can be found on the Rwandan Immigration website . 
• Obtain 30-day, 90-day, or 10-year tourist visa through the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. Additional information about this process can be found on the Rwandan Embassy’s website .  
• Immunizations : World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination if entering from the countries listed on the Rwandan Immigration website .

For information regarding the application process for a residency permit or work permit in Rwanda, please visit the Rwandan Immigration website .  

Contact the  Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration   in Kigali within 15 days of arrival to extend your visa, or apply online through the IREMBO site.  

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Rwanda; however, the U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens enter the country on their U.S. passport. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Rwanda. 

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs information  on our websites.

Safety and Security

The U.S. Embassy advises all travelers to review the following information:

• Rwanda- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  border, including parts of Volcanoes National Park: Tensions between Rwanda and DRC have been elevated since early 2022 with Rwanda and DRC accusing each other of supporting armed groups that pose security threats to the other.  Multiple armed groups opposed to the Rwandan government operate in eastern DRC and have launched occasional incursions into Rwandan territory. Shells struck Rwandan territory in this area several times in 2022. Congolese armed forces and UN peacekeepers continue to conduct combat operations against rebels, militia, and ISIS-aligned groups in DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces, which abut Rwanda.  Violence, rape, kidnapping, killing, pillaging, armed robbery, and roadside criminality occur in these areas and often target civilians.
• Rwanda- Burundi  border, including parts of Nyungwe National Park: Relations between Burundi and Rwanda are currently cordial but in previous years there have been incidents of cross-border incursions, armed clashes and attacks on civilian buses. 
• Rwanda- Uganda border: Relations between Rwanda and Uganda are currently cordial but in previous years there have been elevated tensions in some areas along their shared land border.

Precautions : 

• Avoid demonstrations and remain vigilant while traveling, especially outside of cities. Even peaceful gatherings can become violent.
• Exercise extreme caution in border areas as the border may not be clearly marked. 
• Monitor local news and Embassy  Alerts .
• Obtain permits before entering Rwanda’s national parks. 

Crime: Most reported incidents involve petty theft and residential and hotel room robberies. Burglars may break and enter, or domestic staff and residential security guards may permit them entry. 

• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark. 
• Do not display cash and valuables.
• Maintain caution in areas frequented by foreigners.  
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed. 
• Always carry a photocopy of your U.S. passport and visa. Keep original documents in a secure location. 

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information. 

Victims of Crime:  If you are in immediate danger, your first call should be to the Rwandan police through the emergency hotline number 112.   U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should also contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the Rwanda National Police at 078-831-1124 and contact the U.S. Embassy at 250-252-596-400. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. 

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . 

We can: 

• Help you find appropriate medical care 
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written request 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion 
• Provide a list of local attorneys 
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States  
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in case of destitution 
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport 

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. 

Additional Resources : 

• Kigali City emergency hotline number is 112. Be aware that victims are often directed to the nearest police station to register a complaint in person. 
• The hotline number for traffic accidents is 113.  
• The hotline number to report abuse or attempted bribery by a police officer is 116. 
• See the complete list of police brigade numbers on  Embassy Kigali’s website . 
• Emergency Medical Service (SAMU) 112
• King Faisal Hospital +250 788-309-003 

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are uncommon. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. Additionally, ambulance services are limited and unreliable. Tourists participate in activities at their own risk. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties :  You are subject to local laws while in Rwanda. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.  

The police may detain you if you are not carrying an acceptable form of identification. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs (including marijuana) result in long prison sentences and heavy fines. 

Furthermore, some offenses are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website. 

Arrest Notification :  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information. 

Local Attorneys :  You can find a list of local attorneys on the U.S. Embassy’s  website .  

Genocide speech :  Laws about appropriate speech regarding the 1994 genocide in Rwanda are strictly enforced. Promoting ideas based on “ethnic, regional, racial, religious, language, or other divisive characteristics” is prohibited.  Public incitement of “genocide ideology” or “divisionism,” including genocide denial, discrimination, and sectarianism, is punishable by five to seven years in prison and fines of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Rwandan francs. Please refer to the Rwandan Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement’s website for additional information regarding this topic.

Human Rights Observers, Journalists, NGO workers, and Students :  Rwandan authorities may subject you to more scrutiny at immigration upon arrival if you meet or plan to meet with individuals or organizations who are critical of the government. 

Photography :  Photographing military sites, government buildings, airports, and public monuments is strictly prohibited. 

Currency :  The Rwandan franc (RWF) is the official currency, though U.S. dollars may also be used. Most vendors and banks will only accept U.S. bills printed after 2009, and exchange bureaus and hotels may refuse bills smaller than $100. 

Plastic shopping and grocery bags  are banned and may be confiscated upon arrival. 

Natural disasters :

• Rwanda is in a seismically active region, which includes Mount Nyiragongo volcano in Virunga National Park. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the  U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency: Earthquakes  and at  Ready.gov .   
• During rainy season from February to May and September to December, Rwanda may experience heavy rains that lead to flooding and landslides. You can monitor weather warnings on the  Rwanda Meteorology Agency website .  

Akagera National Park and Wildlife Areas :  Heed all instructions given by guides and trackers. Approaching wild animals, even in a vehicle, can result in injury or death. 

Drones/Photography :  A permit is required to fly a drone recreationally or commercially in Rwanda. Please visit the Rwandan Government’s Tourism website for additional information. Photographing military sites, government buildings, airports, and public monuments is prohibited. Travelers entering Rwanda with drones, must declare the drone upon arrival, will be subject to additional scrutiny, and will be asked to present their permit.

Faith-Based Travelers :  See the following web pages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers :  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Rwanda. However, LGBTQI+ individuals may face societal discrimination and abuse, including harassment by neighbors and police. 

See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section six of our  Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities :  Rwandan law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities,  and the government generally enforces these provisions. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure. Access to transportation, lodging, and public buildings is limited, though newly constructed buildings in Kigali have improved facilities, including elevators.  Sidewalks are not common outside of Kigali and do not include curb-cuts. 

Students :  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips . 

Women Travelers :  Domestic violence is common. Although many incidents are not reported or prosecuted, government officials encourage its reporting. Call the Rwanda National Police hotline at 112. See our tips for  Women Travelers . 

Please visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Rwanda.

For emergency services in Rwanda, dial 112 for police, 113 for traffic accidents, or 116 to report abuse by a police officer.

Ambulance services are:

• not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment.

Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We do not pay medical bills. U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. Healthcare providers require payment in U.S. dollars/Rwandan francs before services are performed. 

Medical Insurance :  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority  to ensure the medication is legal in Rwanda. Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, be the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. 

Air Quality : Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Vaccinations : Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations recommended  by the CDC. While the CDC does not generally recommend the  yellow fever  vaccination for travel to Rwanda, the U.S. Embassy recommends travelers bring proof of yellow fever vaccination. The Rwandan government retains the right to turn travelers without the immunization away.

The following diseases are prevalent in  Rwanda : 

• African Tick-Bite Fever
• Chikungunya
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Leptospirosis
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Schistosomiasis
• Yellow Fever

Use CDC-recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays. 

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Rwanda. The CDC recommends travelers avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers. 

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Further Health Information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) 

Health Facilities in General:

• Adequate health facilities are available in Kigali and other major cities but health care, especially in rural areas, may be below U.S. standards. 
• Some public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. 
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• While English is widely spoken in Rwanda, in certain areas in the country medical staff may speak little or no English. 
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards. Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child. 
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals. 
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions. 

Pharmaceuticals

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, be the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.  
• Please review Rwandan rules on medication on the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority website.

Water Quality

• In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water. 
• Locally available fruit and vegetables may be contaminated with disease-causing organisms. In addition, these items may also have been treated with pesticides. It is important that all fruits and vegetables be adequately cleaned and prepared before consumption.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety :  Main roads between Kigali and other major towns are generally in good condition. Many secondary and unpaved roads are accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles but lack shoulders and become impassible during the rainy season, February to May and September to December, when flooding and mudslides occur. U.S. Embassy personnel are prohibited from driving outside of cities after dark. Street lighting is limited, and it is difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists, and roaming animals. Additional risks include: 

• poor vehicle maintenance 
• headlights that are extremely dim or not used 
• excessive speeding 
• absence of professional roadside assistance. 

Traffic Laws :  An international driving permit and third-party insurance are required. For specific information concerning Rwandan driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, visit the website of the Rwanda Development Board .

Cell phone use while driving is illegal unless it is fitted with a hands-free device. After-market tinted window treatments are prohibited on all vehicles. 

Accidents :  Call the police and remain inside the vehicle until they arrive. If a hostile mob forms or you feel your safety is in danger, leave the scene and proceed directly to the nearest police station to report the incident. Do not stop at the scene of an accident or at intersections where people have gathered, as mobs can develop quickly. 

Drivers are responsible for damages if involved in an accident resulting in injuries, even if the driver is not at fault. 

Causing a fatal accident could result in up to eight years imprisonment. 

Drunk drivers are jailed for at least 24 hours and fined up to $400. 

Police roadblocks are common throughout the country. Travelers may be stopped, and vehicles and luggage searched. 

Public Transportation :  Use only official Kigali city buses and licensed taxis, which are orange striped. Confirm the fare before departure. U.S. Embassy personnel are not permitted to use motorcycle-taxis or mini-bus taxis. They are unsafe due to overloading, reckless driving, inadequate maintenance, and the risk of petty crime. Reputable car services are available for hire. Travel agencies and local hotels may be able to arrange private transport on your behalf. 

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of Rwanda’s national tourist office and  national authority  responsible for road safety. 

Aviation Safety Oversight : The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Rwanda’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards for oversight of Rwanda’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

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Home » News » Smartraveller reveals updated travel advice for Taiwan, Rwanda, Türkiye, Niue

Smartraveller reveals updated travel advice for Taiwan, Rwanda, Türkiye, Niue

Smartraveller has released its new travel advice for a range of countries around the world. Check out the updates below:

From 20 February, indoor mask-wearing rules will be relaxed, but travellers still need to wear a mask in all medical facilities and on all public transport. Upon arrival in Taiwan, travellers will have to undertake 7 days of Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention (SEP). The SEP period can be done in a private residence, provided it meets the criteria. A rapid antigen test (RAT) is only necessary for those who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the 7-day SEP (see ‘Travel’).

Smartraveller now advises travellers exercise normal safety precautions overall and exercise a high degree of caution within 10km of the border with Burundi.

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The Hatay and Gaziantep airports have reopened, though travel to and from the affected provinces is extremely limited. The Kahramanmaras airport has suspended passenger flights. There have been some flight cancellations, and there may be further travel disruptions.

Following recent Quran-burning incidents in Europe, retaliatory attacks by terrorists targeting places of worship or areas frequented by Westerners are likely.

Smartraveller has lowered its travel advice for Niue. It now recommends travellers exercise normal safety precautions.

Email the Travel Weekly team at [email protected]

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The pool and garden of the Hotel des Mille Collines are attractions for guests. The hotel was made famous by the movie Hotel Rwanda , as the location where Tutsis took refuge during genocide.

• SMART CITIES

Smart Cities: Kigali, Rwanda

With a determined push forward, Rwanda’s capital city is proving that it’s worth more than a stopover.

Kigali is one of those cities that most people can’t quickly point out on a map, but reference it as the capital city of Rwanda , and eyes flash with recognition. The genocide that erupted in the country more than 20 years ago is the reason for that; however, Rwandans are now intent on shifting that tragic spotlight and moving their country forward. Ambitious infrastructure plans, a commitment to technology, gains in gorilla conservation, environmental game plans, and local champions mean that the future looks hopeful.

Young and Growing: The current city population of about 1.2 million (roughly 10 percent of the country’s population) is expected to triple by 2040. In a country where the majority are under the age of 25 (with 40 percent under the age of 15), a generational domination is underway. Traditional ideas are shifting, and the results are exciting: a real GDP growth that has averaged 8 percent a year between 2001 and 2015, the highest number of women in parliamentary positions in the world, and a decrease in child mortality rates.

Two of Kigali's newer buildings rise behind the palm trees and greenery in Kigali, Rwanda.

Shifting Landscapes: In a city where almost half of the land is mountainous or wetlands, or contains bodies of water, finding housing for Kigali’s growing population has made innovation a necessity. Under the government’s Kigali Masterplan 2040 , high-rise buildings are set to change the city’s look and feel. The plan offers a vision for developing infrastructure that will be necessary for modern Kigali’s success.

History Lessons: There is no shying away from Rwanda’s gruesome history—a genocide that took more than a million lives in 1994—but Kigali offers insight into how the country is rebuilding. You’ll find the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial here, a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking experience aimed at ensuring that history is never repeated. The building is located on the site where more than 250,000 people who died during the fighting were buried in mass graves.

Moving Forward: Locals are working to unite the once fragmented country. In reconciliation villages located around Kigali, Hutus and Tutsis live side by side. Tourists can also visit the historically Muslim quarter of Nyamirambo, where local women offer tours that include meeting their neighbors. The profit from ticket sales help fund the women’s center.

Photographs of people killed during the 1994 genocide are on display in the Kigali Memorial Center at the Genocide Museum of Kigali. The photographs were donated by families and loved ones.

Clean and Green: Kigalians have one of the cleanest cities in Africa, and it’s no accident. Every month the entire country, including the president, participates in a mandatory community cleanup called Umuganda. Choose not to participate and you could be fined. An agressive plastic bag ban , in place since 2008, and recent investments by Rwanda's Green Fund to turn Nyandungu wetland into an urban recreation and ecotourism park are examples of the city’s continued commitment to environmental initiatives. Phase one of the park is expected to be finished by 2018.

Gorilla Tourism: Volcanoes National Park has brought a growing interest in gorilla tourism and new tourists through the capital city. Praveen Moman, founder of Volcanoes Safaris, isn’t surprised. He was one of the first tourism operators to return to Rwanda when the genocide was over. Gorilla-watching permits are limited and can cost about $500 a day, but those fees from the visiting tourists have helped sustain the gorilla population, once on the verge of extinction. Through the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust , which Moman and his wife, Giulia Marsan, established in 2009, guests help with the continuation of wildlife stewardship and habitat conservation while improving local communities.

A mountain gorilla sits with rare twin babies in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Education and Technology: Kigali is connected. Innovation City , a Rwandan government project launched in May 2016, has led to the development of an extensive fiber-optic infrastructure that intends to deliver 4G LTE capability to more than 95 percent of citizens by the end of this year. It’s likely one of the reasons that the World Bank has pronounced Kigali Africa’s second easiest place to do business. Innovation City is part of the Vision 2020 goal that is already underway, which aims to transform Rwanda into a knowledge-based, middle-income country. The project has also increased the number of students in higher learning from 4,000 in 1994 to 86,000 in 2016.

Imagination Stations : People need a space to work out their ideas and the tools and financial support to test them out—so went the thinking behind the FabLab Kigali branch that opened in Rwanda in May 2016 as part of a global network dedicated to developing new ideas. The focus in Kigali is on the creation of new products in the hardware and electronics domain. The goal of the space, according to FabLab, is to provide an opportunity for Rwandans to “integrate hardware skills with software knowledge,” in addition to introducing Rwandan innovators to the world.

The Impact Hub: Co-founded by American (and long-term Kigali resident) Jon Stever, the Impact Hub Kigali is an incubator where co-working spaces and portal connections to international, like-minded thinkers result in virtual global meet-ups. Regularly hosted edgy talks by entrepreneurs and creators in an inspiring rooftop space help locals connect in new ways to further develop ideas that will benefit the country.

Art Central: Kigali got its first public library in 2012 and has wasted no time incorporating it into the vibrant arts community. The Inema Arts Center , a space founded by brothers Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza that houses up to 10 artists-in-residence, regularly hosts art exhibitions on the library’s rooftop. You can also find young artists at work or displaying their creations at galleries around the city, including at Ivuka Arts Kigali and Uburanga Arts Studio .

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Hollywood Famous: The movie Hotel Rwanda made it famous, but Hôtel des Mille Collines —where many lives were saved during the genocide—remains a working hotel and boasts a popular pool.

Where the Hipsters Go: The young and hip head to Kimihurura for the latest social trends. Among them, says Moman, is Repub Lounge , “run by the 'Naomi Campbell twin,' Solange.” Here you can sip a Rwandan cocktail or stock up on brochettes. Other current hot spots include Teabarra , a specialty tea and coffee start-up, and Kimy Gourmand crêperie for both savory and sweet versions of the light, pancake-like offering.

The New Brew: Craft beer is about to get a new face in Kigali. Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company , based in Ottawa, Canada, launched a successful Kickstarter campaign and is now in partnership with local entrepreneur Josephine Uwineza to launch the first woman-run brewery in the country .

Connected Transportation: Easy to understand and inexpensive to use, Kigali city buses can reach most of the major landmarks in the city, and free Wi-Fi is offered on board.

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Home > Rwanda > Rwanda Itinerary Guide

Rwanda Itinerary Guide: Honest Advice for Planning an Awesome Trip

Where to R wander ?

This Rwanda itinerary guide is one of four Unconventional Route blog posts about Rwanda. The others are Rwanda travel tips , Rwanda's pros and cons , and hiking Mount Bisoke .

Even though Rwanda's a small country, you can't squeeze it all into a single trip. So to help you decide what to include in your Rwanda itinerary and what to leave out, here's our experience.

For each of Rwanda's top tourist regions that we visited during our eight-day trip, we'll share why you might want to add it to your itinerary, why not, and our favorite things to do and see.

Combine our experiences and opinions with advice from your friends who've been before and what other bloggers and guides say. Adjust for your personal preferences, budget, and timeline. And have a Rwand a-full time.

In This Rwanda Itinerary Guide

Why add each of the following areas to your Rwanda itinerary, why not, and what to do, eat, and see at each (based on our limited experience).

Volcanoes National Park

• Nyungwe National Park

A Better Rwanda Travel Guide than Ours

Bradt's Rwanda travel guide has more and better information than any other out there, our site included.

Read it cover to cover before you go (one of our top travel tips ), and bring it with you.

Quick Disclosure: Ruzizi, Karenge, La Locanda, and Macheo gave us free stays because we asked them (they had good reviews). We told them we'd give them some photos and say we stayed with them on this blog in exchange.

Rwanda's capital is by far the country's biggest city but far from a metropolis; it's more of a large-scale suburb.

Why Add It to Your Itinerary?

✓  inevitability.

You're probably flying into and/or out of Kigali's airport and all Rwandan roads go through the capital, so you'd have to try hard to avoid it.

✓  Cosmopolitan Rwanda

Kigali has by far the best and most varied options for shopping, dining, partying, sleeping, and everything-ing in the country.

Why Not Add It to Your Itinerary?

✗  nothing special.

Rwanda's other attractions are more worth your time. Unless you have days to kill, rather than include Kigali in your itinerary, let it fill in the gaps. See and do Kigali's attractions in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings you happen to be passing through.

Things to Do and See We Liked (So You Might Like Them, Too)

The genocide memorial.

The final resting place for 250,000 Rwandans who were murdered during the 1994 genocide. The museum will overwhelm you with poignancy, but it won't overwhelm you with information. We felt the videos and displays are just the right amount of information to understand and feel what happened.

It'll take an hour or two to see all of it. Visits are by donation.

Khana Kazan Restaurant

By our last night in the country, we'd had our fill of Rwandan food, so this Indian restaurant hit the spot. And it hit hard. The food was delicious, the servings were much bigger than expected, and they really mean it when they say, "spicy." For 40k RWF (~40 USD), we stuffed ourselves silly and had two beers each.

Question Coffee

Kim loved the coffee in Rwanda and Question's was unquestionably her favorite. There's only one location in Kigali but you'll get a taste of it at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters if you do any treks there.

Kigali City Tower

We didn't go because of bad weather, but an expat we talked to said that when the weather's nice so is the view.

She pointed out that it emblemizes the country: it looks clean and modern from the outside but inside, where the offices are mostly empty, something's off.

It's free to go up. Don't let the guards tell you otherwise.

Where to Stay

Not where we stayed.

On our first night in Kigali, the hotel we stayed at tried to overcharge us. On our last night, we found baby cockroaches all over the floor and bed frame and had to evacuate to another last-ditch hostel.

Maybe try Step Town Hotel . A lady we met in Nyungwe , who comes regularly to work on her nonprofit, Boundless Peace, told us the manager's fantastic and will give you all the Rwanda travel tips you need ( but check ours, too ). Our fault for not heeding her advice.

Akagera National Park

On Rwanda's eastern border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park is a game park that, like the rest of the country, is steadily recovering and repopulating after being devastated by the genocide.

If you want to include Akagera in your Rwanda travel itinerary, we highly recommend spending a night or two so you can drive the length of the park from south to north before returning to Kigali.

✓  It's not a zoo

The park may not yet have the same quantity of wild animals but it doesn't have nearly the same quantity of human animals either, so it feels wilder.

Lee, an American pediatric doctor we met at Karenge Camp , comes to Rwanda once or twice a year and never misses Akagera when he does. He prefers the safaris there over all the other game parks he's been to in Africa with his Rwandan friend and guide, Charles Karenzi .

✓  Support the cause

The money you spend at Akagera ($50 US per day park entry + $12 US for your vehicle) crucially supports the rehabilitation and protection of the park and its animals.

✗  Fewer animals

For example, seeing elephants in Akagera is a big deal whereas in other parks we've been to in Namibia , South Africa , and Kenya they're abundant.

✗  Time limitations

You need at least two days to comfortably experience Akagera. It takes three hours to get to from Kigali, five hours to drive through from the south gate to the north one, and four hours to get back from. So if you only have a few days in Rwanda, you'll want to prioritize the mountains, jungles, and lakes that make the country unique.

Tip: If you stay for two nights, we recommend staying at Ruzizi Tented Lodge in the South for your first night and Karenge Bush Camp in the North.

✗  You need your own car

If you're not renting a car for your Rwanda travels, getting to and around Akagera will be too difficult and expensive.

If you are renting a car, see our Rwanda travel tips post for some advice based on our experience.

Kilala Plain

Kilala Plain is a long way from the south of the park, where the entrance and most hotels are, but is worth it as there's less dense brush so you can spot more animals.

Driving down the hill into Kilala plain was exactly the African safari experience you might imagine. We saw herds of buffalo, giraffes, warthogs, zebra, and buck everywhere. And, unlike in other African game parks, we could actually get out of our car and have a picnic among them!

Imigongo Art Cafe

On the drive between Kigali and Akagera, we stopped for a quick pick-me-up of meatballs, samosas, and banana bread (all 500 RWF each) and freshly made coffee (1,500 RWF).

Wild Nights

A night or two in Akagera is worth it for the animal noises, clear starry nights, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and campfire conversations.

Ruzizi Tented Camp

Our only disappointment from Ruzizi Tented Camp was that none of the hippos or crocodiles came to graze or relax on the grass in front of our lakeside luxury tent, which apparently occurs frequently. Kim did send me out of bed to investigate some late-night rustling just outside our tent, though.

Ruzizi exceeded our expectations otherwise. Glamping on our own private swathe of lakefront jungle felt adventurous, the fireside dinner on the lakeside dock was delicious, and the sunrise at breakfast was as spectacular as the balls of the vervet monkeys that watched us eat were blue.

Karenge Bush Camp

Karenge is on a hill overlooking Kilala plain at the end of a rough road through leopard territory and swarms of tsetse flies (don't worry, they disperse as soon as you park). There are only six two-person sleeping tents and one main dining tent, all of which are made without cement or other permanent construction materials to leave a minimal footprint.

Despite the basic facilities, Karenge Bush Camp is luxurious in its own way. Each tent (and its accompanying shower and toilet) has a pristine view over the plain, the staff go out of their way to make sure you're enjoying yourself, and the dinners are delectable.

Tip : Charge our camera and phone batteries before staying here. The nearest plug is 20 minutes away at the old park entrance building.

The name, Volcanoes National Park, buries the lede. Sure, there are volcanoes, but this place is all about the gorillas.

Musanze, Rwanda's third or fourth biggest city, is 30 minutes away. Mid and low-budget travelers typically base their visit from there. Those who don't think twice about the $1,500 US fee to hang with gorillas tend to stay in more remote camps closer by.

✓  Gorillas

✓  tourist friendly(-er).

Thanks to all the tourist attention and money the gorillas attract, the area around Musanze and Volcanoes National Park has the most developed tourism infrastructure in Rwanda. That's not saying much, but it is easier to find other things to do, see, and eat here than elsewhere in the country.

✗  Uganda and Congo are less extraordinarily expensive

Gorilla trekking costs a lot more in Rwanda, 1,500 USD, than in neighboring countries. It costs 600 USD in Uganda and 450 USD in Congo.

✗  Not much to see in Musanze

We didn't find much appeal to the busy city of Musanze itself.

Mount Bisoke Hike

The hike up Mount Bisoke turned out to be a lot more than we bargained for, in both good ways (gorillas!) and bad (mud and fog!). We don't recommend it to everyone, as we share in our practical guide ( /warning ) to the hike .

Italian Food at La Locanda

The three-course meals (13,000 RWF) we had in our guesthouse's relaxing restaurant, which is open to the public, hit the spot after our hike. Apparently, the pizza's even better, but they only make it when there are ten or more people.

La Paillotte

Despite its name, this restaurant's pretty much the opposite of French. Service is friendly and meals are reasonably fast, surprisingly cheap, and enormously portioned.

Not knowing this, we ordered a 1,500 RWF guacamole salad for a starter. Out came a whole soup bowl full of pure, if slightly too peppery, guac. After devouring it, there was no way we could also finish the 5,000 RWF daily menu of soup, a heaping main course, and dessert.

Nyirangarama Akabanga HQ

Nyirangarama HQ is along the road between Kigali and Musanze. Legend has it that it's on the exact spot where around 1983 a man named Sina Gerard began selling snacks to passersby. His customers particularly enjoyed his hot sauce, so he started selling it on its own. And people didn't stop buying it.

Today, you'll find the eyedropper bottles of his Akabanga hot sauce on nearly every dining table in Rwanda and the highway where he started is now the headquarters of his empire.

Buy some 500 RWF bottles of Akabanga to take home. Or buy some of his Rwandan wine for 8,000 RWF or 14% alcohol banana beer for 1,000 RWF. (But only do so if you're curious because we promise it tastes nasty). Teetotalers can try his Agashya passion fruit juice instead.

Somewhere with lots of warm water and fast laundry

We were grateful to have a strong warm shower and a fireplace waiting for us amidst the peaceful gardens of La Locanda after getting scratched, bruised, and filthy dirty trekking in Volcanoes National Park. They also did our laundry for us in the evening after we returned, so we didn't have to carry muddy gear with us for the rest of our trip.

We were too exhausted to deal with going out for dinner, so it was also a relief to eat at their aforementioned restaurant.

Africa's eighth biggest lake by area and the world's seventeenth biggest by volume , Lake Kivu is landlocked Rwanda's top destination for relaxing by the water.

✓  Rwandan beach life

The cheap plastic beach chairs, beer-branded umbrellas, and palapa at Gisenyi's Tam Tam Beach's grill and the pool and beach chairs at Lake Serena Hotel next door felt like any tropical seaside destination, minus the salt.

✓  Swimming

The water's refreshing and no hippos or crocodiles live in the lake.

✓  Fish

Eat some fresh-from-the-lake fish, catch your own on a night fishing tour with local fishermen, or swim with them in the pleasantly-temperatured waters.

✓  Views

Rwanda's luscious hills are more impressive when they're reflected in the lake below.

✗  A bit boring

The Lake Kivu area teeters on the fine line between relaxing and boring. Once we did our boat tour with Emmanuel (see below), we had a hard time finding things to do other than chill.

✗  The lake may explode

A cloud of CO2 and methane sit at the bottom of the lake, held down by the massive weight of the water above it. If were to ever squeeze out onto the top in what's called a limnic eruption , it would be the world's deadliest fart, creating a cloud of deadly suffocating gas.

For 20,000 RWF an hour, you can hire a captain to boat your around to feed monkeys, startle fruit bats, hike hills, spot birds, and swim and chill on the Kivu Lake's islands.

As with any tour, your enjoyment will largely depend on the quality of your guide. For that reason, we recommend reaching out to Emmanuel of Blue Monkey Tours . He's a go-getter who speaks good English and understands the importance of delivering word-of-mouth-worthy service. He can also guide you on the Congo-Nile trail and Mount Kibuye.

Hike the hills

On our last morning in the Lake Kivu area, we didn't know what to do, so we opened Maps.Me, looked around for signs of trails, and picked out one (this one) near Kibuye that looked to take us up to the top of a hill.

While the trail vanished halfway up, we found our way to the top without too much difficulty. The 360-degree view of Kibuye and Kivu from up top was fantastic, walking in the rural countryside and greeting the people there was wonderful, and our swim in the lake afterward, was extra refreshing.

Sambaza are sardine-like fish endemic to Lake Kivu. I had them at every opportunity. Kim didn't because she refuses to eat any sort of small fish. Too bad because I bet if she had sampled them the surprisingly un-fishy flavor and lack of bones might have changed her mind.

Sunset drinks

Being on the eastern edge of a big lake you often can't see the other side of makes for magnificent sunsets.

Kibuye's swanky Cormoran Lodge gives you a great vantage point and, aside from the 4,000 RWF coffees, the restaurant is a reasonably good deal for dinner after.

Paradis Malahide

We met our friends here, just south of Gisenyi, after their Congo volcano crater trek . The food didn't impress too much but the location on the lake certainly did.

Sauna and swimming

A hot tip from a Canadian Rwanda resident we met in Nyungwe: Moriah Hill Resort in Kibuye has a Finnish-built sauna. For around 6,000 RWF you can spend as long as you want jumping between it and the lake.

A freshwater version of our adventures in Coron, Philippines , paddling from island to island, would make for a great day for those who, like us, like to stay fit and active while traveling . We missed out on it because we didn't realize it was a possibility until the day we had to leave.

Consider the Congo

Tours of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Park depart from the Gisenyi-Goma border.

Our good friend and fellow pretiree , Francisco, did a two-day, one-night hike up Mount Nyiragongo before meeting up with us. By his account, and that of others we read online, the sight of the bubbling lava at night is as much a once-in-a-lifetime experience as gorilla trekking, which you can also do in Congo for cheaper than in Rwanda.

Macheo Ecolodge

We enjoyed decent food, cold beers, nice views, a quiet vibe, and friendly staff at this tidy little budget hilltop eco-llodge and campsite .

Gisenyi vs. Kibuye

Gisenyi's more developed than Kibuye and more popular with weekending Kigalians, so if you want to party and generally have more action and things to do, Gisenyi's a better bet. It's also a couple of hours closer to Musanze and Volcanos National Park than Kibuye.

Kibuye's smaller for a quieter spot and for those continuing on to Nyungwe. And the road between Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Nyungwe is freshly paved.

Pronounced kneeooong-way , this national park in the southwest of Rwanda is the largest montane forest in East and Central Africa. It's also believed to be one of the oldest in Africa, so evolution has had tons of time to work its diversity-creating wonder.

✓  Beautiful views

The mist evaporating off of Nyungwe's rugged mountain jungles is a show-stopper. Or a drive-stopper. While driving towards and through the park, we parked our car on multiple occasions to take it in. And the sunrise views from Kitabe EcoCenter were the best of our entire Rwanda trip.

✓  Fresh air

The forest filtered air feels extra fresh and invigorating in densely-populated Rwanda, where every last parcel of non-parkland is some type of farm.

✗  Out of the Way

Adding Nyungwe to your Rwanda itinerary may be a bit of stretch if you're only coming for a short trip to see the gorillas and maybe hang out at the lake a bit. It takes at least four hours to get there from Gisenyi, another hour to drive through, and at least another four hours back to Kigali.

✗  The Expense

The hikes cost 40 USD each and the accommodation is expensive for what you get. For instance, a rustic hut at Kitabi Eco-Center with shared bucket showers and no internet (but an amazing view!) costs close to 50 USD a night. The One&Only 's more luxurious—we pretended to be interested in staying the night to have the chance to check it out—but costs 1,799 USD.

Free Jungle Game Drive

You have no choice but to drive slowly along the 50km paved road that cuts straight through Nyungwe because of the 40km/h speed limit 40km/h, but if you're like us you'll go even slower. That way you have a better chance of spotting some of the forest's 13 species of primate, 275 birds, 85 mammals, 32 amphibians, and 38 reptiles.

Sunset and sunrise at Kitabi Ecocenter

The One&Only on one side of Nyungwe National Park may be many levels of luxury above Kitabi Ecocenter on the other, but no matter how much you pay you can't top the views from Kitabi.

Jungle walks and hiking

We decided against squeezing a hike in Nyungwe's 130 kilometers worth of trails into our Rwanda travel itinerary (and squeezing out the 40 USD each to do so). A fellow Canadian we met who lives in the area and comes regularly to explore them told us (politely) that was a bad decision.

Inyambo Cows

Break up the four-plus hour drive between Nyungwe's eastern entrance and Kigali with a stop at the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza and pay 3,000 RWF to hang out with enormously horny Inyambo cows.

Cafe Connexion and Inzozi Nziza

Two more spots to stop at between Nyungwe and Kigali. Both are in Huye (Butare).

Cafe Connexion's goal is to get Rwandans to start consuming the coffee they produce by charging low prices (500 RWF) for high-quality coffee.

Inzozi Nziza was closed when we went by, which is too bad because multiple people raved to us about it.

Kitabi Ecocenter

Kitabi Ecocenter is a work in progress, but it has the makings of a masterpiece. The staff is fantastic, the traditional huts are unique, the buffet dinners are satisfying, and the social vibe is a welcome change from other lonely corners of the country. And, as already mentioned, the views are incomparable.

The American owner told us the cold bucket showers would change our lives. We tried and we're not convinced.

What's Your Plan?

Leave a comment with any questions we might be able to help you with planning your Rwanda travel itinerary. Don't miss our other three blog posts on Rwanda (links below). And please share your own suggestions, opinions, and experiences for other readers' benefit.

Like this post? Pin it for later!

Read This Next:

Rwanda blog posts.

Is Rwanda Worth Visiting?

Mount Bisoke Hike in Rwanda's Volcanoes Park: A Practical Guide

Rwanda Travel Tips: Dos and Don'ts to Know Before You Go

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6 thoughts on “Rwanda Itinerary Guide: Honest Advice for Planning an Awesome Trip”

Hi there, Since you are experienced travel-bloggers….maybe you can advise me….62 years old and travelling the world for 40 years mostly alone as a female traveler I turned to the " real Africa" just during Covid times…spent 3 months this year traveling Tanzania, Rwanda, Congo…..after some devestating experiences with two local tour operators ( lonely planet rec.) in Rwanda/ Congo….security wise but also moneywise ( lack of professional stuff probably due to covid human ressources shortage in the labour market) … I wonder….is there a website where you get advise how to make sure that your not ordinary travel plans and routes in Rwanda etc. will not turn out an " emotional disaster"….since I don't have the " protection " of economic shared interests…….maybe you know the " website landscape" better than I do… Thank's for replying…

I'm sorry to hear about your bad experiences, Wieland. It's hard to offer any tips without better understanding what kind of "emotional disasters" you're talking about. What comes to mind first and foremost is talking to fellow travelers on the ground and getting tips and recommendations from them. Warnings, too. They're more reliable than any blog, including mine.

Hi Chris, Thanks for your great blog! I'm staying for a few months in Gisenyi right now and just found your blog. I am very curious to the hike you did near Kibuye, but the website you link there is not working for me. Do you maybe have a working link for me so that I can check out the hike? Thanks!

Hey Laura. Thanks for letting me know of the broken link. Turns out I had the location of the top of the hill saved on my Google Maps, so I've updated the link in the post with it. The path's not on Google Maps, but maybe if you open up another hiking app (Maps.Me, AllTrails, Wikiloc, etc) and look there you'll find it. Enjoy

Hi Chris! Thank you for all this very useful information! We are soon going to Rwanda and still cannot decide whether to visit the Volcanoes National Park (although we wouldn't buy the gorilla permit, so would "just" do the Mount Bisoke hike), or to go to the Nyungwee National Park. We have set that it would only be one of these options since we don't have that much time. We like hikes and have never seen the wildlife that both places offer, so would not know how to prioritize (the distance also doesn't matter much). What would you say was the most worthy to you? Many thanks in advance! Daniela

Hi Daniela! We didn't hike in Nyungwe, so can't give a strong recommendation either way. In the jungle, you rarely see that many animals (nothing close to in a safari), so best to pick whichever hike has the most of everything you want aside from animals and doing that. Then, if you spot some monkeys, exotic birds, or gorillas, that'll be a big bonus.

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• A Solo Travellers Guide To...

A Solo Traveller's Guide to Rwanda

Rwanda is a perfect country to explore independently. With a reliable nationwide public transit system, a myriad of attractions , gorgeous scenery, and friendly locals, Rwanda has a lot to offer solo travellers. Grab a map, get excited, and get ready to hit the winding Rwandan roads!

Where to go

Rwanda is a small country made up of thirty districts. Though the country is really well connected, check out the destination list below for some of the best (and easiest) spots for solo travellers.

Kigali Kigali , one of East Africa’s most vibrant cities, has a multitude of restaurants, art galleries, and fascinating neighbourhoods, rendering it worthy of a trip in its own right. Spend some time exploring the Kimironko Market , colourful Nyamirambo neighbourhood, and chaotic city centre, and be sure to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial museum.

Musanze Musanze, Rwanda’s second largest city, is home to gorilla trekking, the twin lakes, and several gorgeous volcanoes. It is easily reachable by bus from Kigali’s Nyabugogo bus terminal, and makes for a perfect first excursion outside of Rwanda’s capital. Gorilla trekking, albeit one of the region’s more expensive activities, is an incredible and worthwhile experience. For travellers on a budget, opt to hike Mt. Bisoke for the possibility of seeing mountain gorillas and the crystal clear crater lake at the summit. Journey outside of Musanze for a visit to the twin lakes, camping on Ile de Cyuza , a gorgeous island in the centre of Lake Burera. Days are quiet here, with the easy lap of the lakeshore and caw of fish eagles making up most of the din. Motorcycles, taxis, and public buses render Musanze one of Rwanda’s best connected districts.

Akagera National Park For Rwanda’s only big five safari experience, be sure to hit Akagera National Park . However, this destination is a little trickier as it relies on personal transport. For the adventurous solo traveller, be sure to rent a 4×4 and journey through Africa’s largest protected wetland and camp underneath some of the country’s best stars. Campsites are available throughout the park, and safari permits are easily purchased without reservation at Akagera’s southern gates. If you’d rather not take that on by yourself, check out A Step Into Nature , a tour company that operates shared day trips from Kigali to the park.

Lake Kivu Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest lake located on the country’s western border, is one of the most relaxing spots in the region. The two biggest towns on the Rwandan side of the lake are Kibuye and Gisenyi, and both are excellent locations for solo excursions. Gisenyi, the bigger of the two towns, shares a border with the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and thus has a larger selection of restaurants, bars, and general activities. However, kayaking, hikes, boat rides, and more are available from both towns. Buses run from Kigali to Kibuye and Gisenyi fifteen times a day, leaving from the Nyabugogo Bus Terminal every thirty minutes starting at 7 am.

Where to sleep, eat, and drink

There are plenty of accommodation options available across Rwanda, with offerings accounting for different tastes and budgets. Although Rwanda isn’t particularly known for its hostels, there are plenty of budget options for travellers attempting to travel on the cheap. On the other hand, Rwanda is also becoming known as a luxury destination , and has a lot to offer the upmarket solo adventurer.

When it comes to food, Rwanda is slowly becoming a culinary destination to reckon with. In addition to a variety of local treats , international restaurants in Kigali are also quite good, with offerings including fresh sushi, spicy curries, Italian pizzas, and artisanal ice cream.

Hike volcanoes The volcanic peaks of Bisoke, Sabinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Karisimbi offer some of the region’s best day or overnight hikes, with booking available through the Rwandan Development Board website or licensed tour operators. Most of the volcanoes are in the Musanze district (just like gorilla trekking), and offer just spectacular views.

Shop your way through Kigali Though fantastic markets are dotted throughout the country, the best shopping is located in Kigali. Spend your days picking out handwoven baskets and colourful kitenge fabrics, before searching out some handmade candles, jewellery, and haute couture.

Visit the lakes Rwanda is home to many lakes, many of which offer idyllic retreats and quiet getaways. Laze a weekend away on Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, or the the twin lakes, enjoying a classic Rwandan landscape and a selection of hikes, kayaking trips, and boat rides.

Practical tips for traveling alone in Rwanda

Transportation Public buses, motorcycles-for-hire, and private taxis are the general modes of transit in Rwanda. Negotiations are necessary with both taxis and motorcycles (referred to as ‘motos’ in Rwanda), with prices for motos rarely going beyond 1,000 Rwandan Francs ($1.5 U.S.D.) and taxis depending on distance and time. Rwanda’s bus system is pretty reliable and clean, with all buses in Kigali originating at the Nyabugogo bus terminal.

Communication English is widely spoken in Kigali and Musanze, though use of it lessens outside of the major cities. French, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili are used almost everywhere, although it generally is pretty easy to communicate regardless of location or language. WiFi is generally pretty unreliable throughout the country, and investing in a local SIM card (Tigo, MTN, or Airtel are the best) for data usage is definitely recommended. Health and safety Don’t drink the tap water in Rwanda, and try to avoid ice as well. Unfortunately, although the country is impressively clean and environmentally-friendly , water-borne diseases are still fairly common. Make sure to consult your doctor before travelling, keeping on eye on malaria, typhoid, and bilharzia prevention. If necessary, King Faisal hospital in the Kacyiru neighbourhood of Kigali and the Polyclinic in Kiyovu are open twenty four hours a day. With regards to pickpockets and muggings, Rwanda is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. The country was recently voted by Gallup as the world’s 11th safest country, making it a place all solo travellers should feel very comfortable traversing. That being said, definitely still pay attention to your surroundings and belongings. Sole female travellers As previously mentioned, Rwanda is a really safe country. Solo female travellers might experience a little bit of harassment while walking down the street or inside of bars, but much less so than in surrounding East African nations. As unfortunate as it is, take care to generally cover knees and shoulders, and avoid revealing clothing. Other than this, however, Rwanda is undoubtedly one of the best locations for solo travellers.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Guides & Tips

Explore nyamirambo, one of kigali's vibrant neighbourhoods.

Rwanda Takes Major Steps to Turn Its Capital into "Africa's Singapore"

A Guide to Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda

Explore Rwanda's Tranquil Town Visitors Are Flocking To

See & do, 10 top outdoor activities in rwanda.

A Promising Future for Endangered Gorillas as Their Population Exceeds 1,000

Meet Abraham Konga, Designing Sustainable Jewelry in Rwanda

These Rwandan Women are Baking Their Way to Empowerment

A Night With Rwanda’s Musical Fishermen on Lake Kivu

The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Rwanda

Places to Stay

Where to stay in rwanda's musanze region.

Discover the Lakeside Charm of This Rwandan Town

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

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Rwanda Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Rwanda.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Rwanda. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Rwanda.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to Rwanda take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Rwanda.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Rwanda. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Rwanda, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Rwanda. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Generally not recommended for travel to Rwanda.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African tick-bite fever.

• Avoid Bug Bites

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Mosquito bite

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Rwanda, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Rwanda. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Rwanda include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Rwanda. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Rwanda’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in Rwanda. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Rwanda may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Rwanda, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Rwanda for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Consulate General of The Republic of Rwanda in Australia

Travelling to Rwanda

Rwanda can be entered by flying to Kigali International Airport (Code: KGL) or from bordering countries at the border crossings. Read the  Visa Information  to determine whether you will need to apply for a visa prior to visiting Rwanda.

Currently, there are no direct flights that leave Australia and land in Rwanda. It is recommended that you leave sufficient time between connecting flights to ensure that you do not miss subsequent flights.

COVID-19: INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS ARRIVING OR DEPARTING FROM RWANDA

The following Covid-19 travel guidelines and procedures are in place for travelers, effective immediately. These guidelines will be regularly reviewed and revised in light of health conditions .

Before departure.

1. Covid-19 testing is no longer a requirement prior to boarding the flight to Rwanda. However, regular Covid-19 testing is encouraged.

2. The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure.

1. An additional Covid test is no longer required upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.

2. Certain meeting venues and national parks require Covid-19 tests. Testing is available at health facilities and other designated sites for 5,000 RWF (or US$5) for rapid antigen tests, and 50,000 RWF (or US$50) for PCR tests (required for all visits to primates in Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks). Rwandan citizens pay a subsidized cost for PCR tests of 30,000 RWF (or US$30).

3. Face masks are no longer mandatory in Rwanda, but people are encouraged to wear a face mask in public indoors/closed spaces.

4. In addition, the public is urged to get frequently tested while continuing to observe preventive measures including social distancing and hand hygiene.

TEST RESULTS

Test results will be shared by SMS, and via the online portal accessible at www.rbc.gov.rw. In case of difficulty obtaining results, contact the RBC on 114 or [email protected].

1. A Covid test is no longer a requirement to depart Rwanda by air. However, Covid testing (at own cost) is available for all travellers whose final destination requires one at health centres and other designated sites.

2. All Rwandan travellers aged 12 years and above must show proof of full vaccination before departing Rwanda by air. Fully vaccinated for people aged 18 years and above means having two doses and a booster when eligible (administered 3 months after second dose.)

YELLOW FEVER: INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS ARRIVING OR DEPARTING FROM RWANDA

The following is the WHO list of Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination. This list of countries is dynamic can change anytime depending on situation.

COUNTRIES WITH RISK OF YELLOW FEVER TRANSMISSION

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

YELLOW FEVER TRAVEL GUIDELINES IN RWANDA

In a bid to prevent transmission of Yellow Fever in Rwanda,

1. All travelers traveling to Yellow Fever endemic countries should be vaccinated 10 days before traveling.

2. To enter Rwanda, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required to travelers (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from Yellow Fever non-endemic countries and without an active transmission outbreak of Yellow Fever.

3. To enter Rwanda, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory to travelers (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from Yellow Fever endemic countries and any country with an active Yellow Fever transmission outbreak

4. For travelers (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from an active Yellow Fever transmission outbreak country or have recently (within 24 days) visited an active Yellow Fever transmission outbreak country, the following instructions are applied:

i. An entry will be allowed to a traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) who at arrival presents:

-A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

-Without fever (less than 38.5oC)

-Consents to self-report for any symptoms for 6 days

iii. A traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) with an invalid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (less than 10 days after vaccination) will be quarantined until the certificate becomes valid

iv. A traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from a country with active Yellow Fever transmission or known Yellow Fever endemic country without a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate will be vaccinated upon entry.

v. No entry will be allowed to a traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) who does not consent for preventive measures described in points 1-4

vi. The cost related to quarantine and/or the vaccination upon entry will be covered by the traveler.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

• Toll free number: 114 • RBC Medical Team on Duty at Airport 24/7: (+250) 781415724 • Email: [email protected]

LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION

Please Note: The Consulate General does not endorse any of the following content and the opinions expressed in the linked websites are not deemed representative of those of the Consulate General.

• +254-750 787 421
• [email protected]

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