English Practical Information about Rwanda
Your trip
The best time to visit Rwanda is during the drier period from June to September and December to April, when you have the best chance at spotting the country’s undoubted highlight: the mountain gorilla.
Everyone must take out travel and health insurance before leaving for Rwanda. Whether Rwanda is covered by your policy differs per insurance policy. In most cases this will not be a problem. At CultureRoad we recommend: IATI Travel Insurance, a reliable company that has different insurance options that fits your personal needs. Book now to get a 5% discount!
All citizens can obtain a visa on arrival and land border crossings at the cost of $50 valid for 30 days. Citizens from Indonesia, Singapore and Qatar are granted a 90 days visa at no cost. Please bring your passport, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, hotel name, and USD cash to the airport. Make sure you bring brand new notes (no older than 2006), and definitely no tears on the notes. For more information visit this link.
Time in Rwanda is given by a single time zone, officially denoted as Central Africa Time (CAT; UTC+02:00). Rwanda does not observe daylight saving time. There is no difference between summer and winter time.
The official currency used is The Rwandan Franc (FRw). You can easily find ATMs in Kigali, and many restaurants, shops, asd cafes accept, credit and debit cards.
As well as bringing your bankcard we also recommend bringing some USD to avoid any bank issues. Bring USD banknotes that are clean and in good condition. They must be printed after 2001. Banks and shops will reject old and marked notes. You can exchange money with the guide at a similar rate that you see at the bank. For the most recent exchange rate, visit www.xchange.com.
The amount you’ll spend mainly depends on your personal spending needs and habits, but as a guideline, we advise to budget for approximately €20 to €50 per day for your basic needs. However, if you want to buy souvenirs, you might want to bring some extra cash. For a meal you’ll pay between €7 and €15, and soda or coffee generally cost around €1.
Local wages are very modest, so a small contribution from you will often make a big difference to our local partners and their families. We recommend setting aside €5 to €10 per day for tips, but the amount you tip is, of course, ultimately your decision.
We are always available to advise you on booking a flights for a tour with us. However, most customers prefer to book their flights themselves as this is often the most economic option and allows for some flexibility according to your personal preferences.
Practical information
The electricity in Rwanda is 230 volts / 50 Hz. Power sockets are usually the 2 round-pin “euro-style” power points, however it is handy to bring a universal adaptor. That’s why we advise you to bring a travel adapter when visiting Rwanda. Power cuts happen often, especially outside the big cities. Make sure to charge your devices when you can, and take a power bank with you for days when you are travelling for a long time.
Most places to stay in Rwanda offer internet, but the connection is often slow and not always stable. There are mobile signals in and around towns and cities. If you want to use mobile internet, you can buy a E-SIM card.
Local culture
Rwanda is a majority christian and conservative culture. Traditional customs and practices still hold significant importance.
Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
– Do not ask locals about their ethnicity or make a comment about the ethnic tensions that the country has experienced.
– Dress modestly, wear conservative clothing to respect local norms.
– Greet respectfully. Handshakes are common, but be cautious when greeting women – it’s best to wait for them to extend their hand first.
– Avoid public displays of affection – they are considered inappropriate. It is important to note that same-sex relations are criminalised.
– Keep conversations neutral. Avoid discussing politics and sensitive topics. Instead, take this opportunity to listen and learn about the culture.
– Many Rwandans are not used to seeing tourists, so they might give curious or cautious looks, but they mean no harm.
We carefully select our tour destinations and activities based on current security situations and official travel advice. We also collaborate with extremely competent and knowledgeable local partners who understand the local conditions and can offer assistance if needed.
Rwanda is generally safe for tourists. Our partners will always make sure that the places we are visiting are safe at the time we visit them.
Some of the safety measures to follow on our tours:
– Avoid engaging in political conversations with locals. If you have any questions on what exactly to avoid, please ask your guide first.
– On days with long journeys, we ensure a timely start to avoid being stranded after dark in case of a car breakdown.
– Do not display your passport, large amounts of cash, or valuable items in public. We recommend not wearing expensive jewellery or watches and advise leaving them at home.
– Always pay attention to and follow the guidance of your local guide. With extensive experience in these countries.
– We recommend everyone register with their local embassy. In case of any issues during the trip, it will be much easier to get assistance through the embassy on site.
In general, you can take photos freely. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
– Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person, particularly in cultural ceremonies.
– Do not take pictures of military personnel, military installations, police officers or government buildings.
Rwandan cuisine offers rich flavors and focuses on common foods like cassava, plantains, beans, and maize. Dishes such as brochettes, isombe, poulet à la moambe, and luwombo highlight local ingredients and traditions.
Vegetarians will find plant-based staples like beans, sweet potatoes, and cassava readily available. Accompanying vegetarian dishes may be harder to find in some regions than others, but your guide will be happy to help you. Alcohol is accessible in urban areas, with local beers, banana wine, and palm wine being popular, though availability may vary in rural or culturally conservative areas.
Our advice is to dress modestly and avoid tight or revealing clothing. Please also avoid camouflage or military-style clothing. In some areas T-shirts and shorts are acceptable while in others it’s best to dress more conservatively. Expect warm conditions in the day and cooler conditions in the evenings and in high altitude areas. During the wet season, expect some humidity and rain.
Rwanda is a developing country with a very turbulent recent history. The country provides very limited health care. The local hygiene standard naturally differs from that of the Western World. Make sure you have enough hand sanitizer, sunscreen and insect repellent with you.
We always recommend staying informed about the latest health risks in the region you plan to visit. For the most up-to-date information about your destination, check with your government