- Destinations
- Africa
- Rwanda
Rwanda
'Land of a Thousand Hills' (
Pays de Mille Collines) as it is popularly known, Rwanda
is a small, verdant country in central Africa, the beautiful
rolling landscape dotted with tea plantations, rugged mountains and
towering volcanoes, with the shimmering Lake Kivu in the west.
Today Rwanda focuses mainly on ecotourism, being a nature
lover's paradise and home to the world's largest population of
mountain gorillas within the Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla
tracking is the number one tourist attraction in the country, the
critical nature of the plight of these endangered animals having
been brought to international attention by the film
Gorillas in the Mist, shot on location in the Virungas.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to a large number of smaller
primates, as well as more than 275 bird species, while Akagera
National Park is big game country where herds of elephants and
buffalo, lions, hippos and plains animals inhabit the archetypal
African savannah landscape set among a web of swamps and lakes. The
waters of Lake Kivu are enclosed by green terraced hills that give
way to beaches, inlets and the resort towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and
Cyangugu.
Rwanda's past does not paint as an attractive picture, however,
the legacy of almost 60 years of sporadic fighting having taken its
toll on most of the population. The horrific genocide of about
800,000 Rwandans in the space of just over three months shocked the
international media in 1994, sparked by a long-standing ethnic
tension between the minority Tutsis and the Hutus. Since then,
Rwanda has had to work hard to raise awareness of itself as an
unspoilt, scenically stunning destination that is rich in culture
and wildlife, boasting fine food and one of the friendliest
welcomes in Africa, and is showing rapid signs of development and
worldwide interest of a positive nature.
The rapidly growing city of Kigali, situated at Rwanda's
geographical heart, is not only the capital but also the country's
most important business centre and the main point of entry.
Information & Facts
Business
A handshake is the normal form of greeting. A knowledge of
French is useful as English is not widely spoken; interpreters may
be required. Lightweight suits are suitable attire for meetings,
which need to be arranged in advance.
Climate
Rwanda experiences a pleasant, tropical highland climate with
temperatures that vary depending on altitude, but vary little from
month to month in the same location. There are two wet seasons and
two dry seasons; a long and a short one. The wettest time of year
is between March and May, while the driest months are July to
September. There is also rain between October and November.
Temperatures rarely go above 86°F (30°C) during the day or drop
below 59°F (15°C), except on the upper slopes of the Virunga
Mountains where frosty conditions are possible.
Communications
The international dialling code for Rwanda is +250. The outgoing
code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
UK). City codes are not required. There is an excellent cell phone
network covering most of the country, and cell phones can be rented
in Kigali. Internet cafes and computer centres are located in most
major towns.
Customs
Photography of government buildings is prohibited in Rwanda.
Plastic bags have been banned for environmental reasons and will be
confiscated on arrival at the airport. It is considered impolite to
ask someone about their ethnic origin.
Duty Free
Passengers older than 16 years may bring two cartons of
cigarettes and two litres of alcohol into the country without
incurring import duties.
Electricity
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European
two-pin attachment plugs are the most commonly used.
Health
There is a year-round risk of malaria throughout Rwanda and
travellers are advised to take a course of prophylactics. A yellow
fever certificate is required by all visitors and inoculation is
also recommended. A hepatitis A vaccine is recommended as well as a
polio booster for those who have not had one as an adult. Other
health risks include meningitis and cholera. Bottled drinking water
is available in all towns. Medical facilities are limited and
medical supplies may be unavailable, although hospitals are located
in all major towns. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.
Language
Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official
languages. French is widely spoken, but English is limited to a few
people in the tourist centres.
Money
The official currency is the Rwanda franc (RWF), which is
divided into 100 centimes. The US dollar is the hard currency of
preference; travellers cheques are difficult to exchange, even in
the capital. Credit cards are only accepted at the major hotels in
Kigali.
Passport Visa
Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid on
arrival. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six
months validity remaining after your intended date of departure
from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply
different rules to those stated by travel agents and official
sources.
Safety
Crime levels are relatively low in Rwanda, although tourists
should be alert to bag snatching and incidents of petty theft.
Travel to the border areas with Burundi and the DRC is not advised;
trips to see the gorillas in the Volcanoes NationalPark should only
be undertaken as part of a guided trek.
Time
Tipping
Some small change left at restaurants will be appreciated when
dining in Rwanda. Guides on gorilla treks expect to be well tipped;
amounts vary, but 10% is common.