Rwanda is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination but before you set out, it is always a good idea to learn more about the country and relevant information on visas, health and safety. To help you better navigate the country, our experts have put together all the details in our Rwanda Travel Tips to get the best about Rwanda Safari.

From visa to health information, language, currency and more – discover all the essential details from experts in our Rwanda Travel Guide.

Getting to Rwanda

The main airport in Kigali is the Kanombe International Airport. It is located 10 km east of the Kigali centre. Kigali currently receives direct flights from Nairobi, Entebbe, Bujumbura, Addis Ababa, Kilimanjaro, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dar es Salaam, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Juba, Lagos and Dubai. It is also possible to take a bus from neighbouring countries.

Getting around Rwanda

Short distances within cities can be travelled either on foot or by taxi-Velo (bicycle taxi). These are relatively inexpensive. Motorcycle taxis (taxi moto) are the most popular in Kigali. These taxis can be identified by their jerseys and they always have an extra helmet. Most drivers speak Basic English or French. Laws require moto-bikes to use helmets, and Rwandans abide by this.

Taxis are common and can be found at taxi stands in Kigali and provinces and they have specific bus stops. One may hire a special taxi by calling them or if, at any hotel, reception can call a recommended driver for you. These are more expensive than motorcycle taxis and other public buses.

“Matatus” are the white with green or yellow minibuses that travel across the country. Rwanda has a good local transportation system for inter-region connectivity, a good road system, and plenty of well-maintained and modern minibuses. Cars and drivers can be hired from Kigali, and most of the roads are well maintained. To make your trip more interesting, if considering driving from Kigali to other provinces of Rwanda, e.g. along lake Kivu, it is recommended that you get a 4×4 and travel with someone who knows the area or use the public transport (Matatus) as from the regional cars parking at Nyabugogo, every 30 minutes there are buses from different transport agencies linking Kigali to other cities of the country. Backcountry driving is perfect for anyone with a sense of adventure. Be sure to advise your clients to get a 4×4, good maps, and a working phone before leaving

Visas

All people wishing to enter Rwanda must possess a valid passport or other internationally recognized travel documents, which, in principle, contain a visa corresponding to his/her purpose of entry into Rwanda obtained in advance from the nearest Rwandan embassy abroad. Currently (Oct 2014) only USA and UK passports get free visas upon arrival –for a stay of up to 90 days. Citizens of these two countries do not need to purchase a visa when travelling to Rwanda; passports are just stamped on arrival. Rwanda Visas are easily obtainable on arrival at all entry points but you can as well apply online. We however recommend that you apply for the visa three months in advance. There is also a tourist visa that has been introduced for the three East African countries of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Money

Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (Rwf). It is best to arrive in Rwanda with US dollars or Euros in cash, which can be exchanged either at the airport or at any FOREX bureau or bank. Banque de Kigali offers cash advances on credit cards and also accepts travellers’ cheques, which is not possible in the provinces. There are ATMs throughout Kigali that are accessible to visitors. Credit cards are accepted in some up-market restaurants and hotels, but it is best to confirm prior to ordering. Bureaux de Change is mostly located in Kigali and offers slightly better exchange rates than most banks. All banks and most Bureaux de Change are closed on Sundays, and on the last Saturday of every month until 11:00 am for the national day of community work, “UMUGANDA”.

 Tipping

It is customary to tip for service in restaurants and bars. A tip of 5% is very acceptable and a tip of 20% is very generous. It is also customary to tip your driver/guide at the end of a safari or hike, as well as the cook and/or porter that may accompany you.

Tipping is not at any fixed amount and may depend on personal wish.

Internet

Wifi is available in most hotels, free of charge. It is quite easy to find Cafés in Kigali with wifi, but it is not always guaranteed so it is best to check beforehand if you are planning on using internet. The lodges in the countryside are also equipped with wifi, however, cafés and restaurants outside of Kigali generally do not.

Phone and SIM Cards

Pay-as-you-go SIM cards and phones are available in most major retailers around Kigali. There are also multiple phone registration kiosks and stands around the city where you may purchase and register SIM cards.

Food in Rwanda

Typical Rwanda Food consists of mostly starchy food – such as rice, sweet potatoes, corn, millet, cassava, yams cooked with beans, and peas. Also, flour is cooked into porridge – and fresh fruit, including avocados, mangos and papayas. Food in Rwanda varies from mediocre to good. Umutsima (Cassava and corn), isombe (cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach) and mizuzu (fried plantains) are some of Rwanda’s traditional dishes. Drinks include local beer and ikigage, a locally brewed beer made from sorghum. Fresh fruit and Belgian-inspired cuisine are usually good.

 Health in Rwanda

There are medical facilities of Western standards in Kigali; elsewhere facilities are rudimentary. It is advisable to be up-to-date on vaccinations for typhoid, tetanus, polio and diphtheria. Travellers are advised to have the Havrix vaccine to guard against infection by hepatitis A and a yellow fever certificate is usually required for entry into Rwanda. Malaria is widespread throughout lowland Rwanda, so malaria precautions are generally essential. HIV infection rates are high in Rwanda and visitors are advised to be cautious.

Language in Rwanda

The main language spoken in Rwanda is Kinyarwanda (a Bantu language, also known as ‘Rwanda’ or ‘Ruanda’). French is widespread and English is also spoken by many people who are in contact with visitors.

Weather and climate in Rwanda

Rwanda Safari presents visitors with a pleasant tropical highland climate, although rainfall is not uncommon. There are two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible.

The average daytime temperature is around 24°C, except in the higher mountains, which take up a lot of the country, where the range is 10°C to 15°C. Rwanda can be visited at any time of year. The dry season from mid-May to mid-October is easier for tracking mountain gorillas, but the endless hills are barren, a contrast to the verdant greens of the wet season. Best Time To Visit Rwanda for gorilla tracking is July and August; travelling outside this time means it is easier to arrange a permit.

It rains more frequently and heavily in the northeast, where the volcanoes are covered by rainforest. The summit of Karisimbi (4507m), the highest peak in Rwanda, is often covered with sleet or snow.

In conclusion, if you are planning Rwanda Safari Tours this coming holiday, you will need to consider the best Rwanda Travel Guide such that you have the most successful safari in Rwanda and possibly in Africa.