MORE ABOUT MY COUNTRY

Travel Tips
Getting there
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.
Passport and visas
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.
Health
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.
Money
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
When to visit
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.
What to wear
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.
What to bring
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.
Electricity
230/240 volts at 50Hz.
Language
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.
Accommodation
International business hotels exist in Kigali and Gisenyi, while comfortable midrange accommodation is found in all main tourist centers.
Food
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.
Banking and business hours
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.