Language

Kinyarwanda, French, English (all official)

Currency

Rwandan Franc

US dollars cash are by far the easiest foreign currency to exchange in Rwanda. It can either be changed to RWF or used directly (but often at a lower rate). We recommend you only take USD notes from 2006 or newer; older or torn notes are not accepted. We suggest bringing some smaller denomination notes as well as 20’s, 50’s and 100’s.

Credit cards are of very little use. Some big hotels in Kigali will accept them but be prepared for high merchant fees. Visa and Mastercard only are accepted. Diners and Amex are NOT accepted anywhere in Rwanda.

Do not rely on ATM machines as there are only a few in the whole of Kigali that are internationally connected and even then they cannot be guaranteed to work.

International Dialing Code

+250

Electricity

Electricity in Rwanda is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

Visas for Rwanda are required for all passport holders.

From 1st January 2018, all nationalities will receive a single entry tourist visa valid for a stay of 30 days, upon arrival without prior application and upon payment of the applicable visa fee (approx $50 USD, subject to change). Rwanda visas can only be paid in cash US$ and the notes have to be from 2006 or newer and also be nice, new, not soiled or torn.

It is possible to apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) which allows applicants wishing to travel to the East African Community (EAC) countries of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to obtain one visa to cover all three countries. The visa allows for multiple entry within the EAC region within the validity period of 90 days. The holder shall also be allowed to move out of the EAC region to other countries and return without having to pay for another visa. This will only be applicable in the period of 90 days. Applicants must pre-apply for the visa through the Embassy of the country they will be entering first and will be obliged to enter only through that country. Note that this multiple country visa arrangement does NOT include Tanzania. For more information please refer to the following website:

https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=233

For all other visa types, an Entry Facility Letter application can be made at - https://migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=13.

RWANDA VISA – ENTRY FACILITY LETTER

Have your passport details at hand when you apply for the Entry Facility Letter.

When filling in the application online they will ask for an “invitation letter”. This invitation letter should normally not be needed, if, on the same application, you click that you are visiting Rwanda as a “tourist”. If you get a reply where you are still asked for an invitation letter from your tour operator please let us know, and we will send you one confirming that “JK Safaris” is your ground handler, and is organising your safari in Rwanda.

Once approved Rwanda Immigration will e-mail you an "Entry Facility Letter" (usually within 3 - 5 working days of receiving the application). The Entry Facility Letter must be printed and a copy presented to both the airline upon check-in at departure point for your flight to Kigali and at immigration upon arrival in Kigali. The visa will then be issued upon presentation of the Facility Letter, your passport, and payment of USD$50.00 for a single entry tourist visa valid for 30 days stay. USD cash payment notes must be 2006 or later, clean and crisp. (Extension for stays of up to 90 days may be possible, subject to the discretion of Rwanda Immigration.)

Please print 2 copies of the Entry Facility Letter. Bring both to Africa. Keep one with your passport and the other separately as a spare just in case. No letter, no entry. Guard it like a passport.

Passport validity (minimum required):

6 months from date of entry.

At least 2 blank facing pages

Information for form

Proposed address in Rwanda: Lemigo Hotel, Kigali OR Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Musanze. **you do not need full address details.

Arrival: the date you arrive in Rwanda

Departure: the date you leave Rwanda, noting this may be later than the last day of your trip if you have additional arrangements post-tour

Entry point: Open tab to the right and click #1 for Kigali

Purpose: Tourism

More details: (INSERT NUMBER) night/(INSERT NUMBER) day gorilla safari with JK Safaris

Phone Number: do not leave any spaces between numbers (this is your own phone number)

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.