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Welcome to the captivating beauty of Rwanda, a land of lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and a remarkable story of resilience. Rwanda Safari is somewhat different from safari in most countries in that it is primarily focused on the forest rather than the savannas, with primates, including mountain gorillas, at the top of the list. Rwanda is a highly populous, scenic, and mountainous little country in central Africa. Unfortunately, best known for the 1994 genocide, the government has tried very hard to move on, and the shadow cast is no longer so overwhelming. The main reason for coming here is to see the mountain gorillas in the country’s north. There is also a good deal of beautiful mountain and lake scenery, plus the opportunity to see chimpanzees in the south.
Located in the north of the country, it constitutes one of the prime areas for viewing mountain gorillas in the wild, which is naturally the prime focus of almost all trips.
Lies to the southwest of the country and is the main area for viewing chimpanzees in the wild.
It is the capital city and central transport hub. Most Rwanda trips need to overnight here at some point to connect with international flights.
It is a small town in the centre of the country, best known for its genocide memorials. It can be visited on the way through without the need to overnight.
It is a relatively remote national park to the east of the country. It is the only area to offer a more conventional savannah-style safari, although relatively low-key compared with the central wildlife reserves elsewhere in East Africa.
Here are a few tips on issues relating to safari travel in Rwanda
All visitors must carry a valid passport with at least six months remaining between the date of departure from the country and the date of expiration and sufficient blank pages for stamps and visas. Travellers holding passports from the following countries do not require visas: Burundi, DR Congo, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA. All visitors not requiring a visa are supposed to fill in an entry facility application form on the website www.migration.gov.rw and submit it online. Customs officials usually have a copy of this form on their desk when you arrive, which speeds up the process. Although this is, in theory, obligatory, guests who have not submitted this form in advance will still be able to enter the country. However, sometimes with a slight delay whilst alternative forms are completed. We strongly recommend obtaining this in advance for those requiring a visa, as some international airlines will not let you board without it. Applications can be submitted online at the following website, and the process should take about a week. Refer to the links below. You do not need to take additional passport photos with you. Suppose you are asked for’ local contact details’ on your Visa Application or Entry Certificate. In that case, you can put the details of your first lodge and the phone number provided on your confirmation paperwork. Ensure your passport is stamped with the correct departure date, or you could encounter serious problems. We cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information. Please be sure to check for updates from the relevant authorities … London: for UK and Europe … www.rwandahc.org Washington: North, Central, and South America … www.rwandaembassy.org Please note that getting a visa on arrival can involve waiting in line for a period, which can be pretty tedious after a long flight. Therefore, you may consider using a specialist agency to help you get your visa in advance, although an additional cost is involved. Our customers from the US particularly recommend … www.travisa.com
The currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc. Approximate exchange rate: $US 1 = RWF 600. This cannot usually be exchanged back into hard currency, so whatever you change you will have to spend, give away, or take home. It is worth noting that your on-the-ground expenditure in most parts of Africa should not be as high as you might be on other trips since all of your accommodation is pre-paid, with many of your meals and activities also included. We recommend taking a modest amount of cash, US$, a small proportion of which you can change into local currency. Then back this up with debit and credit cards. Virtually all principal cash payments can be settled in US$. Some US$ banknotes may not be accepted due to the high levels of counterfeit currency in circulation in Africa. We recommend that you only travel with US$ bills dated 2006 or later. A small amount of RWF can be useful for small purchases at roadside stalls and stores. Exchanging US$ for RWF is possible in most locations, although exchange rates will vary. Larger, newer, and better-condition US$ bills generally attract a better exchange rate. Other hard currencies can be used, notably the Euro, although they may be subject to more unfavourable exchange rates. Credit and debit cards are now accepted at most major stores and lodges and can be used to make payments. Virtually all locations charge a significant premium for using a card; 5% to 10% is common, and higher rates over 25% can be encountered. Traveler’s checks are no longer widely accepted. It may be significantly easier and cheaper to carry cash, but this obviously heightens the risk of loss or theft. Refer to the section on crime for more information. There are very few cash machines or ATM’s, except in the major urban centres, where banks can also be found. If you run out of money, your safari operator or lodge owner should be able to bail you out, with our assistance where necessary. When assessing exactly how much cash to take, most people seem to settle on somewhere between US$50 and US$200 per person per day. The more you take, the more you are likely to bring back home with you. It is more a case of how much you feel comfortable carrying. Note that your most significant expenditure is likely to be tips, which could exceed US$25 per person per day.
Generally speaking, Rwanda is a safe place to visit, although travellers should be aware of any issues.
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