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Travel essentials
Visas, money, seasons, Umuganda: what to know before you land in Kigali.
Visa
Visa on arrival for all nationalities, at most USD 50 for a single entry. Free for 30 days for citizens of the African Union, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie; a six-month pass for East African Community citizens.
Money
The Rwandan franc (RWF). Dollars are accepted for permits and lodges; Mobile Money is everywhere. Keep some francs in cash for rides, paid to the driver.
Languages
Kinyarwanda, French and English are official languages; Swahili is widely spoken. "Muraho" for hello, "Murakoze" for thank you.
Time
UTC+2 all year, no daylight saving. Sunrise is around 6 am and sunset around 6 pm.
Umuganda
On the last Saturday of the month, from 8 to 11 am, the country does community work and traffic all but stops. Plan your trips before or after.
Plastic bags
Banned since 2008, including in luggage. They may be taken from you at the airport: bring cloth bags.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. European-style sockets; a universal adapter is enough.
Health
A yellow fever certificate may be required if you arrive from a country at risk. Ask your doctor about malaria, especially for Akagera.
Safety
Rwanda ranks among the safest countries in the world according to the World Economic Forum. The usual precautions are enough.
On the road
Traffic drives on the right. The road network is good, but mountain roads wind: count in hours, not kilometres.
Connectivity
Mobile coverage reaches almost the whole country. A local SIM card can be bought at the airport with your passport.
Climate
Mild all year thanks to the altitude, around 24 °C in the afternoon in Kigali. Cooler in the mountains: bring a jacket for the Volcanoes and Nyungwe.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Dry season
- Shoulder
- Rains
The two dry seasons, June to September and December to February, are ideal for gorillas and safaris. The March to May rains make trails slippery, but permits are easier to get and the hills greener than ever.
A few words of Kinyarwanda
Muraho
Hello
Murakoze
Thank you
Amakuru?
How are you?
Ni meza
I'm fine
Yego / Oya
Yes / No
Mwaramutse
Good morning
Mwiriwe
Good afternoon/evening
Ni angahe?
How much is it?
Visas, languages, time, electricity and environmental rules: based on visitrwanda.com. Check entry requirements with the authorities before you travel.