Rwanda
Welcome to The Land of a Thousand Hills
Located in Central and East Africa, Rwandas green, undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations is a thriving, safe country offering a one of a kind journey.
The west of Rwanda forms a branch of the Great Rift Valley known as the Albertine Rift home to the Virunga Mountains, Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, and other primates providing awe-inspiring adventures on bamboo-covered slopes.
The low lying plains of Akagera National Park comprised of savannahs, woodlands, wetlands and a dozen lakes has transformed this area into a world-class Big 5 safari experience. One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity teaming with wildlife Chimpanzees and other primates.
The extraordinary range of wildlife and landscapes, volcanoes, game reserves, expansive Lake Kivu and friendly people make this an easy destination to experience due to its small size and biodiversity.
Sample Itineraries:
Key Facts
Geography
Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in central Africa. Also known as ‘the land of a thousand hills’, Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of the River Nile. The country lies 75 miles south of the equator in the Tropic of Capricorn. Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the democratic republic of Congo to the west. The loveliness and variety of the landscapes is dominated to the north by volcanoes and bordered by Lake Kivu to the west. The Volcanoes National park in the Virunga volcanic mountains with its high altitude forests, are world famous for mountain gorillas which is teeming with wildlife both large and small, while Lake Kivu to the west offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an archipelago of islands.
Currency
The Rwandan franc is the currency of Rwanda. It is subdivided into 100 centimes.
Entry Requirments
All travelers must have at least six months validity remaining on their passport on the day of entry into Rwanda. A valid passport and a yellow fever certificate of immunization are required for those 9 months of age and older. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Rwanda for fewer than 90 days of tourism. U.S. citizens planning on remaining in Rwanda for more than 90 days must apply for a permit within 15 days of their arrival at the immigration office in Kigali.
Health
Malaria is present in all areas of Rwanda, so it is advisable that everyone take a precautionary Malaria medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Vaccinations recommended by the CDC include Hepatitis A (or Immune Globulin), Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Polio, Yellow Fever and Rabies. Also be sure that you are up to date on all of your routine vaccinations.
Climate & Best Time to Travel
In the heart of Africa, fractionally south of the equator, Rwanda's relatively high altitude provides it with a pleasant tropical highland climate, albeit with plenty of rain. Temperatures vary considerably between locations depending on altitude, but very little from month to month in the same place. In the capital, Kigali, the average daily temperature is about 21°C.
Rwanda's long rainy season lasts from about March to May, when the rain is heavy and persistent. Then from June to mid-September is the long dry season; this is generally the best time to visit if you have the choice. October to November is a shorter rainy season and it's followed by a short dry season from December to February. During both of Rwanda's dry seasons, there is often light cloud cover. This helps to moderate the temperatures, but also occasionally brings light rain showers.
Electricity
Voltage: 220-240 Volts (U.S./Canada are 110-120 Volts).
Primary Socket Types: Europlug, Schuko
Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.): Plug adapter.
110-120V electronics: Plug adapter + step-down transformer.