Practical Information
Visa & entry
Citizens of many countries (EU, US, Commonwealth, East Africa) receive 90-day tourist visas on arrival or via e-visa. Passport must be valid for 6 months. Processing is efficient. Extensions are possible at immigration office in Kigali.
Money & payments
ATMs (BNR, Bank of Kigali, Equity) dispense Francs in Kigali and major towns. Exchange rates are fair. Credit cards accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops. USD and EUR can be exchanged at banks. Informal money changers exist but carry risk.
SIM cards & internet
Airtel, MTN, and Tigo are main carriers. Buy SIM at airport or shops. 4G/LTE covers most areas; 3G elsewhere. Data is inexpensive. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, cafes, and many restaurants.
Getting around
Roads are well-maintained and paved throughout. Car hire with driver is standard for tourism. Kigali has Uber and licensed taxi services. Minibuses (coasters) connect towns; comfortable and cheap. Domestic flights are unnecessary given road quality and short distances.
Health
Malaria risk exists in lower altitudes; take prophylaxis for western and southern regions. Tap water in Kigali is safe; bottled water recommended elsewhere. Hospitals in Kigali are good; King Faisal is excellent. Vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and polio. Yellow fever vaccination not required but recommended for some regions.
Language & etiquette
Kinyarwanda is the national language; English and French are widely spoken. Greet people warmly and respectfully. Dress modestly in rural areas and religious sites. Tipping is not obligatory but 10% is customary for service. Photography is generally welcome; ask before photographing people.
When to go
Best time is June to September (dry season) and January to February (short dry). March to May and October to December are rainy but often passable. Temperatures 15-27C; cooler in highlands. Volcanoes National Park is accessible year-round.
Getting there
Kigali International Airport (KGL) is served by RwandAir, Ethiopia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, and others. It's one of Africa's smoothest, most efficient airports. Overland routes connect Rwanda to Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, and Malawi; the road through Ugandan highlands to Lake Kivu is stunning.