Frequently Asked Questions

A valid passport and Rwanda visa is mandatory. The passport must be valid for 6 months. Multiple entry visas are difficult to obtain, single entry visas are issued easily. Visa application needs to be submitted at the Embassy of Rwanda. A single entry visa costs 30USD.

It depends on what activities you plan on carrying out whilst in Rwanda. The long dry season, from June to September is the best time for tracking gorillas in the Volcanoes Park and hiking in Nyungwe Forest, as the ground is dry. Whereas the wet season, February – June (and a shorter season September-December) is best for tracking chimps in Nyungwe and the scenery is greener in addition the sky is less hazy. The average temperature in Rwanda is 24.6 – 27.6 °C, the hottest months being August and September.

During the months June to September, as well as Christmas and New Year’s, demand for permits is high, therefore it is advisable to book as far ahead as possible. The booking can be made directly through the ORTPN office in Kigali, by emailing reservation@rwandatourism.com. Depending on availability, permits can be bought before 17h00 the day before the track, and at Kinigi on the morning of the track. However, there is no guarantee a permit will be available and it is strongly advised that one books well in advance to avoid disappointment.

No, for safety and to ensure the preservation of the National Parks, all tourists must be accompanied by a guide.

Yes. No incident involving tourists has ever been reported in both national parks from 1994 until now. The border is patrolled by the army 24 hours. The guide and ranger accompany the trekking in national parks. The tourist can experience a trekking in safe environment.

Rwanda has no strict dress code on what to wear, although women travelers are advised to dress modestly. Cotton clothing is the most comfortable during the day, as it gets quite hot, but the nights tend to be chilly, so a heavy sweater and boots are essential. For gorilla tracking, warm clothing is required as well as walking/hiking boots, a hat and lightweight parka or raincoat.

Most mid-range and upward hotels have internet services that can be used. In Kigali, there are a number of fast, reliable internet facilities. Outside of Kigali, however, servers can be slow and subject to breakdowns.

230/240 volts at 50Hz. Type of socket is the 2-pin socket.

It is mandatory to get a Yellow fever vaccination 10 days before your travel into Africa. Also it is advisable to drink bottled water only.

Tourists cannot bring into the country any illegal substances or firearms. Also, in a move to make Rwanda more eco-friendly, at the airport, tourists may be asked to exchange any plastic bags for cotton fiber bags.