Rwanda Travel tips

Rwanda travel tips

Please take a moment to review our suggested list of some reminders and planning tips
to ensure you have a worry free holiday.

  • Ensure all passports are current and valid for at least 6 months AFTER the departure date, and each has at least 2 blank pages.
  • Make extra copies of passport and airline tickets to take with you on your trip. Please ensure you keep these documents separate from the originals in the event of an emergency such as your passport getting lost or stolen.
  • We recommend that you call your airlines a few days before your departure to reconfirm your flight times, as schedules are always subject to change. We would also need the information details of your arrival and departure.
  • You are required to bring a maximum of 20kg. Any unwanted baggage and suitcases can be safely stored at the hotel or in our safe store. (Soft bags are recommended but not a must)
  • You are required to bring good equipment which is vital for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Money and currency:

  • Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandese Franc (RWF): The Rwanda Franc is currently US$1 = RWF870. Notes are in denominations of RWF 500, 1,000, 2000, and 5000, while coins are RWF 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
  • It is recommended to travel with US dollars as most banks and Forex Bureaus do not accept traveler’s cheques in exchange for cash.
  • Only banks, Forex Bureaus, hotels and lodges are authorized dealers as recommended by the company to change money. US$ bills produced before 2000 are not accepted, while those produced between 2001 – 2005 will fetch a lower exchange rate same as small bills (5, 10, 20) at 650 RWF.
  • Credit cards are usually accepted at major hotels, souvenirs shops and shopping malls in Rwanda. (Except local markets.)
  • Kenya, Tanzania/Uganda currency is not accepted here, but can be exchanged only in local banks and Forex Bureaus. Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign exchange.
  • It is advisable to pay your extra bills and check out the night before you depart from a hotel or lodge to avoid long delays in the morning.

Language: Kinyarwanda is the National language, while French and English and Swahili are official languages. English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Gorilla Permits: Gorilla Permits are the single most demanded item in Rwanda. Purchase of Gorilla Permits needs to be arranged well in advance through your local tour operator. The Single sales agent for permits is at the Rwanda Development Board Office at the Kigali headquarters.

Visa: Visa can be got on arrival at $50

Vaccination: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not mandatory but we encourage to have one especially if your flight may have layovers in other East African countries. No other vaccinations are required to enter Rwanda.

Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. There are no set percentages for tips. Local culture believes the level of tips should be at the discretion of the client and any token of appreciation is gladly received. These are our suggestions:

We recommend that you tip your guide direct at the end of your stay in camp; as a rough guideline you might want to tip from US$20-30 per day.

  • Porter – per bag: US$ 1-5- each time
  • Trekking porters in Rwanda US$ 10 – 20.- per person
  • Server in restaurant – per meal: US$ 2.- per person
  • Driver-guide – per day: US$ 20.- per person

On average, we would recommend that you budget for US$ 100- US$150. per person on a trip of 7-10 days, which would comfortably cover all tipping & gratuities.

General Clothing:

  • Safaris are informal and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate.
  • A hat and a pair of sunglasses are advisable for protection against the sun
  • Laundry can be done at most lodges, but please make sure you hand in your laundry requirement at least a day before departure. Note: express laundry facilities might not be available in all hotels/lodges.
  • Light comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots are recommended
  • Be prepared for cool evenings at higher altitudes of Virunga Mountains and Nyungwe, where you may need a sweater and trousers/jeans.