Prep for travel to Rwanda
PREPARATION AND ADVICE FOR TRAVEL TO RWANDA (EAST AFRICA)
HEALTH SAFETY:
Visitors to Rwanda are advised to visit their medical practitioner 4 – 6 weeks prior to departure to ensure that all vaccinations are up to date.
These include all the standard vaccinations but it will be wise to also get vaccinated against Hepatitis, Typhoid, Cholera and Meningitis. Rwanda is also part of the so-called “meningitis belt” of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Country entry requirement: The government of Rwanda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever or a country with an active yellow fever outbreak.
Travelers who are taking regular medications should carry them properly labeled and in sufficient quantity to last for the duration of their trip.
Malaria is a risk in most African countries, and travelers are advised to take extreme measures to prevent contraction of the disease. It is transmitted by the bite of an infectious female Anopheles mosquito and can be fatal.
The symptoms are flu-like, including fever, headaches and a general feeling of discomfort. Although malaria can be successfully treated if diagnosed in time, it is always better to take preventative measures. Your medical practitioner will prescribe prophylaxis which should be taken a couple of weeks before departure and then throughout your stay in Rwanda.
Mosquitos are most active between dusk and dawn, and therefore travelers should take the utmost care by covering up as much as they can once the sun sets. Take enough anti-repellant creams or sprays, and cover the whole body with it before getting dressed.
Seek medical advice immediately if you experience any symptoms that might indicate malaria.
The Zika virus is endemic in some West African countries, and although travelers are not considered to be at risk pregnant women should discuss their travel plans with their local doctors before departure. The disease causes birth defects in babies.
Medical and dental facilities are limited in Rwanda, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. In Kigali travelers can go to King Faycal Hospital which is a private facility, but it offers limited services. Travelers planning to visit remote areas are advised to take a medical emergency kit along. It should contain a suture / syringe kit to be used by a local health care provider, accompanied by a letter from the doctor on his / her letterhead. Diabetics should take their own testing supplies and insulin.
VISAS:
Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry and must have a blank page for stamps.
Visas are required for entry into Rwanda. All nationals from the USA, UK, Germany, Sweden and Australia can purchase visas on arrival, all other nationals must obtain their visas in advance. Double-check with your embassy whether you have to obtain a visa in advance just in case the requirements have changed.
Visas can be applied for online. A copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever is required.
Visitors will also need to supply a copy of a hotel reservation or a personal invitation from a host in Rwanda. The invitation must include the host’s contact details, purpose and duration of visit, confirmation of accommodation a signature and a date. You will also have to provide the status of the host in Rwanda.
Visitors who are planning to include Kenya and Uganda to their itinerary should apply for an East Africa joint-border visa which allows entry into all three countries on one visa.
CURRENCY:
The currency used is the Rwandan Franc.
When planning your visit to Rwanda keep in mind that it is advisable to take cash, more especially US Dollars. You may be able to use a Visa credit card, but do not count on it.
Most hotels, safari companies and airlines will require you to pay in cash US Dollars. Rwandan Franc will be accepted, but you will not necessarily get the correct exchange rate and you may be ending up paying more for the service / product than you should.
Traveller’s cheques are not accepted at most Foreign Exchange Bureaus, and not all banks will be prepared to cash them either.
CULTURE:
The people in Rwanda are very conservative and most people, especially women, dress modestly. For this reason it is wise for women to refrain from wearing shorts, tight skirts or tops showing flesh.
They are also private, reserved people and loud public confrontations or obvious displays of emotion are frowned upon. So do not make a scene if you feel you have been overcharged for something, for instance. Rather settle the matter in a quiet, persistent manner.
GREETINGS:
Be friendly and greet the people you come across as greetings are extremely important in Rwanda. It is considered impolite not to return a greeting or to start a conversation without a proper greeting. A handshake with the right hand is acceptable.
Learn some local phrases like “Mwaramutse” which means “Good morning”or “Mwiriwe” meaning “Good afternoon / evening” and it will get you a long way.
LANGUAGE:
The local language is Kinyarwanda, and it is also spoken in the east of the Congo and south of Uganda.
English and French are also official language, and most people will speak one or the other in addition to their local language.
TIPPING:
It is not customary in most places in Rwanda, however it will be greatly appreciated when good service is rewarded by tipping the provider. It is for instance not compulsory to tip your guide when you do a gorilla trek, but bear in mind that the people rely on tourists and travelers for a living. Your generosity will help them see the value of keeping the gorillas and chimpanzees safe and alive.
COMMUNICATION:
This tip is going to save you a lot of money, so take note! If your phone does not allow for a dual SIM card, buy a local SIM card in the country you intend visiting for communication and internet use. It is extremely expensive if you do not make use of domestic services.
There are various applications like What’s App, Viper and Facebook Messenger which allow internet calling and texting, and data credits or phone minutes can be bought in most African countries either at hotels or airports.
This advice especially applies to US citizens who are used to unlimited phone and internet usage.
Travelers are also advised to register with their embassy in the country they are visiting after arrival. This should be done by arranging an appointment before departure from your home country as embassies do not normally allow walk-ins.
ACCOMMODATION:
There are a number of upmarket hotels in Kigali, and do choose one of the better known 4 or 5 stars hotel to stay in. As for the rest of the country it is preferable to do your bookings through a well-known, bona-fide travel agent / tour operator.
In Kigali the Manor Hotel is well situated, it is a 4 star hotel with a pool. Spoil yourself by booking into the 5 star Kigali Serena Hotel and if your visit include Lake Kivu consider the 4 star Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.
Rwanda Tours and Travel Association is an accredited tour operator through which you can do all your travel arrangements, accommodation, transfers and treks. They can be contacted by
e-mail on Info@rttarwanda.org or they can be contacted at +250 788 740465.
HOW TO GET AROUND:
You will find that public transport in Rwanda is efficient and reliable. There are also private run buses that cover the whole country with scheduled departure times. Tickets are bought in advance at ticket offices which are usually at the point of departure.
There are also well-maintained, modern minibuses that serve the main routes.
In Kigali you can take taxis, but in smaller towns moto-taxis are used by tourists. They are said to be fast but safe and they almost always have a spare helmet for a passenger.
Car hire is not big in Rwanda, however there are car rental agencies in Kigali where you will be able to rent a car. If you want to visit the national parks rather hire a 4WD. Most of the main roads are fine for normal cars.
Remember to take an international driver’s license if you intend to rent a car, and if you are uncertain at all rather take a car with a driver.
CROSSING BORDERS:
To cross the borders from Rwanda to Uganda or Tanzania is very easy. Lots of tourists hop from the one country to the other without any problems.
Be friendly, wear a big smile and make sure your documents are in order then you will not have any difficulty crossing the borders.
FOOD:
In Rwanda you will not find so-called “street food”, carts from which vendors sell food on the streets.
What is very common is “Brochettes” or goat kebabs – yes, meat on a stick. They are available in most bars and restaurants.
For some reason they love buffet lunches in Rwanda, also known as “melange”. The buffets consists mostly of potatoes, bananas, beans, rice, cassava, little vegetables and not much meat.
Nyama Choma is another dish that you will come across. It is basically a leg of goat’s meat roasted and then chopped into pieces. This specific dish is very popular at most restaurants in Kigali. In this city you will also find several Indian, Chinese, Italian, Greek and French restaurants.
Fish is uncommon because Rwanda is a landlocked country.
Remember to drink only PURIFIED water!
SHOPPING:
In Rwanda the best places to shop are the local, open air markets where almost everything can be found at very good prices.
The variety of handicrafts will make you want to part with your money! Must-buy items include traditional wooden masks, reed and grass products like baskets and mats, handmade musical instruments, clothing and jewellery.
When in Kigali the Caplaki co-operative market is worth a visit. Go and see the local traders who have all come together to create a happy and colourful shopping experience.
Haggling is part of the shopping experience, but it should always be done in good spirit. Be friendly, polite and make the bargaining fun for the trader and yourself. You can always make a good deal and get a product for much cheaper than its asking price with the right attitude.
Do not expect huge shopping malls in Rwanda. If you are looking for more than a market, visit the Union Trade Center in Kigali. It consists of a large supermarket and several internationally known stores where you can buy everything from art to beer under the same roof.
WHAT CLOTHES DO I PACK FOR A VISIT TO RWANDA:
You are going to visit the land of 1000 hills and valleys and the climate is unpredictable. Although Rwanda is close to the equator the weather is temperate due to its high altitude, with the result that the temperature seldom climbs to 25℃.
The dry season starts in June and lasts to September – the best time to visit if you plan to visit the gorillas and monkeys because you won’t get soaking wet and the primates will be happier! It is also the best time if you wish to visit the Akagera National Park because the animals are drawn to the water holes. The roads are less dangerous during the dry season, and the risk of malaria is lower.
The country has two rainy seasons, the first from mid-March to the beginning of June and the second from mid-September to December.
The trick in packing is to layer. Take lightweight, non-wrinkle clothing and consider taking long sleeves and pants even though it might get hot. The reason is that it is appropriate in Rwanda to cover up, it will protect your skin from the sun by day and the mosquitos by night.
Don’t wear revealing clothes. As already stated above the Rwandans are conservative and the way you dress will show respect to your hosts.
Leave expensive jewellery at home. You are not going to impress the gorillas or the local people and you might just lose it. Also leave anything else you do not want to lose or ruin at home.
Take rainwear and warmer clothing for the evenings and cooler days and take the right shoes along.
If you plan to go gorilla trekking wear the right hiking boots and cover your body with long sleeves and pants. You trek through the jungle and you do not want to be scratched or burnt by plants or insects along the way.
Remember to take a hat, sunscreen and swimwear, the lakes can be very tempting!
You are going on an experience of a lifetime. Make the most of every moment and don’t leave your sense of adventure at home as you are going to need it!
