Practical information Rwanda

Yes, but obtaining one is straightforward. All travelers receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport for 50 USD, payable in cash or by card. You can also apply online before departure via the Irembo platform, which speeds up immigration clearance. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date and have at least one blank page. No invitation letter is required for tourism. For stays longer than 30 days, an extension can be obtained at the immigration office in Kigali. Our team will assist you with all the necessary procedures.

The only mandatory vaccine is yellow fever, required only if you arrive from a country where the disease is endemic. However, we recommend staying up to date with routine vaccines (DTP, MMR), and considering hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies based on your profile. Malaria is present mainly in low-lying areas such as Akagera and the shores of Lake Kivu, less so in Kigali and in the Virunga at altitude. Antimalarial treatment (Malarone most often) is advised. Consult a travel medicine center 4 to 6 weeks before departure to adapt the protocol to your itinerary.

Rwanda is not an economical destination. Excluding international flights, expect between 250 and 450 euros per day per person based on two travelers, in comfortable lodges with private vehicle and driver. The biggest expense is the gorilla permit, fixed at 1,500 USD per person per trek, non-negotiable. The chimpanzee permit at Nyungwe costs 250 USD, entry to Akagera 100 USD per day. A meal in a good restaurant in Kigali costs 15-25 euros, a local beer (Primus, Mützig) 2 euros. Luxury lodges near the Virunga often exceed 700 euros per night.

Rwanda can be visited year-round, but the two dry seasons are the most comfortable. The long dry season runs from June to mid-September—this is our preferred period for gorilla trekking, as trails are less slippery and temperatures more stable. The short dry season, from mid-December to February, also works very well. The rains from March to May are the most intense, with some lodges closing, but the vegetation is lush and rates drop. October-November brings brief showers without disrupting activities. For Akagera, the end of the dry season concentrates wildlife around water points.

Rwanda's road network is remarkably well maintained: the main routes connecting Kigali to Musanze, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe and Akagera are paved and in good condition. We work exclusively with English-speaking drivers, the most flexible and safest option. Distances may look short on the map but roads wind through the hills: 2.5 hours to Akagera, 3 hours to Musanze, 5-6 hours to Nyungwe. There are no regular domestic flights. Buses run between major cities but don't serve the parks. Motorcycle taxis operate in town with mandatory helmets.

Rwanda is among the safest countries in Africa. Crime is low, police presence is visible, and Kigali can be explored on foot without particular concern, including in the evenings in popular neighborhoods like Kimihurura or Nyarutarama. Security checks are strict but courteous. Plastic bags have been banned since 2008, so remember to remove them from your luggage before arrival. In the parks, follow the rangers' instructions, particularly maintaining a 7-meter distance from the gorillas. The border with the DRC in the far west requires occasional vigilance, and we adjust itineraries accordingly. Our team remains available 24/7 throughout your stay.