Alliance Express flies directly
from Kigali to Entebbe (Uganda), Johannesburg (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya)
and Bujumbura (Burundi). In partnership with SAA and SA Alliance Air, it also
flies from Kigali to the USA via Johannesburg and to London via Entebbe. Other
international flights are with Sabena (Brussels), Kenya Airways (Nairobi),
Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa), Air Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam) and Air Burundi
(Bujumbura). All international flights arrive at Kanombe Airport, 10km from central
Kigali. An airport tax of US$20 is levied upon departure.
A valid passport is mandatory.
Visas, required by all visitors except nationals of the USA, Germany, Canada,
Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo, cost US$35
upwards depending on place of issue. Nationals of countries without an embassy
can obtain a visa on arrival by prior arrangement with their hosts, who can
arrange a facilité d’entrée.
A certificate of yellow-fever
vaccination is required. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for
malaria to be a concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are
strongly recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral
water can be bought in all towns.
The unit of currency is the
Rwanda franc, which traded at around US$1 = Rfr 400-450 in September 2000. The US dollar is the
hard currency of reference. It may be impossible to exchange travellers’ cheques at a good rate (or at all) away
from the capital.
Public Holidays
In addition to Good Friday and
Easter Monday, which fall on variable dates, the following public holidays are
recognized in Rwanda.
| 1 January | New Year's Day | 15 August | Assumption Day |
| 28 January | Democracy Day | 8 September | Culture Day |
| 7 April | Genocide Memorial Day | 25 September | Republic Day |
| 1 May | Labour Day | 1 October | Heroes Day |
| 1 July | Independence Day | 1 November | All Saint's Day |
| 4 July | National Liberation Day | 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 1 August | Harvest Festival | 26 December | Boxing Day |
Rwanda can be visited throughout
the year. Gorilla tracking and other forest walks are less demanding during
drier months. The European winter is the best time for birds, as Palaearctic
migrants supplement resident species.
Dress code is informal. Daytime
temperatures are generally warm, so bring lots of light clothing, supplemented
by light sweaters for the cool evenings and heavier clothing for the Parc de Volcans
and Nyungwe. When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing (for instance jeans
and a thick long-sleeved shirt) to protect against stinging nettles, and solid
walking shoes. A hat and sunglasses provide protection against the sun, and a
waterproof jacket may come in handy in the moist mountains.
A pair of binoculars will greatly
enhance game drives and forest walks, as will a good field guide – for
birders, Van Perlo’s Illustrated Checklist to the Birds of Eastern Africa is
the only guide to describe all the species found in Rwanda. Bring a camera and
an adequate stock of film. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the
cities, but it is easier to bring all you need with you.
230/240 volts at 50Hz.
In addition to the indigenous
language of Kinyarwanda, French and English are official languages. French is
widely spoken throughout the country. In the capital and other tourist centers,
many people speak English.
International business hotels
exist in Kigali and Gisenyi, while comfortable midrange accommodation is found
in all main tourist centers.
Good western food with a
discernable Belgian influence is served in tourist-oriented restaurants and
hotels in all centers. Rwandan
favourites include goat kebabs, grilled tilapia (a lake fish), ugali
(a stiff maize porridge), matoke (cooked banana) and potatoes.
Most banks, shops and offices are
open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays, with a lunch break being taken between noon
and 2pm. Banks are open from 8am to noon on Saturdays.