Rwanda

Rwanda - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

Rwanda is a landlocked Central African country that prides on endless hills, jungles and bamboo forests. Also known as “Land of a Thousand Hills”, this charming country is an ideal destination for eco tourism. Tourists come here to track gorillas and other types of apes in national parks. However, you will also find Kigali, the capital city, and Lake Kivu desirable places for a visit when a trip to Rwanda. Finally, Rwanda managed to emerge from its dark past and today, it is one of the safest African countries.

Rwanda - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

• Spend some time in Kigali, enjoy its relaxed vibe and take a walk along impeccably clean streets. Pay respects to the 1994 victims at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center.
• Come to Rwanda in July to attend the celebrated Rwanda Film Festival throughout the country.
• Take a tour of Volcanoes National Park to see protected mountain gorillas. At lower altitudes of the park, you can observe golden monkeys.
• Discover Nyungwe, a large rainforest inhabited by rare bird, orchid and monkey species. Take a 50-meter high swaying walking path to experience marvelous views and increase chances to see birds and apes.
• Visit Akagera National Park and see lions, leopards, giraffes and hippos among other wildlife.
• Go to Butare (Huye) and examine the outstanding ethnographic collection in the National Museum.
• Unwind on Lake Kivu’s beaches and hills overgrown with pine and eucalyptus trees.

Rwanda - Travel Tips

• Residents of Rwanda are very hospitable and forthcoming toward tourists. More so, they will impress you with their friendliness.
• While, Rwanda is a safe country, watch out for overcharging and petty thefts.
• To withdraw money, you can use ATMs in banks in major towns. Rwanda is a cash-oriented society and credit cards aren’t widely accepted. Some hotels and safari providers accept USD.
• Internet access is available in most cities, but it tends to be slow and unreliable at times.
• You should manage well on a Rwanda tour with English and French.
• Visit a doctor before you go to Rwanda to get medical advice.

2. Wildlife & Animals – Rwanda

Most people come to Rwanda for gorilla trekking, but many smaller primates can be seen as well, including habituated golden monkeys. Other species to look out for are l'Hoest's monkey, red-tailed monkey and Rwenzori colobus. Rwanda has one savannah reserve where most safari animals can be seen.

While gorillas can be tracked in the Virunga mountains, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest is another highlight. Akagera National Park is a Big Five destination; elephant and buffalo are common, but lion and rhino sightings are a bit more hit-and-miss. Although leopard is very shy, you might be lucky to spot one early morning or late afternoon. There is no cheetah in the country.

Gorilla trekking is available throughout the year and sightings are pretty much guaranteed. Chimpanzee trekking is a bit more difficult – the best time is from October to February, part of the Wet season. The Dry Season, from June to September, is best for general wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park. The wettest months, from March to May, are best avoided.

3. Best Time to Visit – Rwanda

The best wildlife-viewing months in Rwanda are during the Dry season, from June to September. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Rwanda. The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet and one can’t avoid rain completely. Walking in the forest is easier in the Dry season and that is also the recommended time for most primate walks, including gorilla trekking.

June to September – Dry Season

• Best time for gorilla trekking
• Forest trails are less slippery
• In Akagera NP, vegetation is less thick and animals gather around water sources, making wildlife easier to spot
• Even during high season the parks don’t feel crowded
• There is more sunshine
• Gorilla permits need to be booked a long way in advance
• Chimp trekking is better in the Wet season

October to May – Wet Season

• Savannah scenery is greener
• Possible low-season discounts
• Best season for chimp trekking
• Newborn animals in Akagera NP
• Forest trails become slippery and challenging
• Gorilla trekking departures leave as scheduled, even in heavy rain

4. Getting There – Rwanda

Kigali International Airport (KGL) will most likely be your entry point into the country. It is about 10km/6mi from the capital, Kigali. Works on the planned Bugesera International Airport began in 2017, but it’s unclear when it might begin to receive flights.

Rwanda is very compact, and transportation within the country is usually done by vehicle. Alternatively, Akagera Aviation offers charter helicopter transfers to anywhere in the country.

In most cases, we will collect you from the airport or hotel and will arrange further transportation as part of your safari package

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
• Passports must have a clean and full visa page for endorsement.
• When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
• As of January 2018, citizens of all countries are now eligible for visas on arrival at US$30 for 30 days. More details atwww.migration.gov.rw
• For people visiting Rwanda in conjunction with Kenya and/or Uganda, it is possible to buy a joint visa for all three countries with advance application. See www.migration.gov.rw for details.