The unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (RFr). It is divided into 100 centimes. Notes come in RFr100, RFr500, RFr1000, RFr5000 and RFr10,000 denominations. Coins come in RFr10, RFr20 and RFr50.
You will need cash to pay for a taxi, or a meal or if you want to do some shopping in Kigali. Therefore exchange money at the airport on arrival as it is quicker and easier. In the parks and rural areas, cards are not accepted. We recommend you carry a few hundred dollars as a fall back. Euro is the more readily accepted hard currency.
Credit cards are accepted at higher end restaurants, hotels and national park offices as well. Both Visa and Mastercard are accepted, but Visa is more commonly accepted.
Exchange money at the airport, it is always easier and more practical. Otherwise, in Kigali city, money can be exchanged at the bank or private forex bureau. US Dollars and Euros are the more accepted currencies, with some requirements like 2006 notes, clean notes and a preference for bigger notes.
It is recommended to use ATMs in Kigali city before you venture out. Moreover it is only the Bank of Kigali, GT Bank and Ecobank which work with both Visa and Mastercard, and accept foreign credit cards.
Monday-Friday : 08:00 am to 06:00 pm
Saturday : 08:00 am to 01:00 pm
Health system in Rwanda is developing. The main hospital is in Kigali and the rest of the country has smaller medical facilities. For basic treatment most towns of any size have pharmacies with a limited range of medicines, while larger towns have hospitals.
In case of medical evacuation, Akagera Aviation operates a helicopter ambulance service within Rwanda in daylight hours, with one military paramedic on call. Please make sure you have adequate medical insurance.
Of course you need to have your routine vaccinations up to date, whenever you travel anywhere. Visit or call your doctor before travelling to obtain the right precautionary advices. The World Health Organization recommends that all travellers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as for hepatitis B, regardless of their destination.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Rwanda.
However, the government of Rwanda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever or a country with an active yellow fever outbreak.
Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are recommended. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito, which has previously bitten a person infected with malaria.
Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medicines and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk. Precautions include using an insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, long pants, sleeping in a mosquito-free setting or using an insecticide-treated bednet.
It is not recommended to drink tap water in Rwanda. Always ask for water bottles. In hotels, restaurants or on safari, it is always bottled water. Avoid also taking ice in your drinks.
The water system and distribution is developing rapidly in the country and more and more people are now having access to clean water.
Electricity 230v 50Hz with two round pin plugs.
Rwanda has an excellent mobile phone network covering almost the entire country, and international calls can be made easily.
The country is among the top three African countries in terms of internet connectivity, with an ever-growing fibre optic network.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in East Africa to travel in today. Security everywhere you go is high level, and one can feel very safe in the country. Crimes or hostility against tourists are very rare and no need to worry. Kigali can be said to be the safest capital in Africa, though, as in any big city, you must take care at night and do not take any unnecessary risks.
It is also very important to know that one should not take photographs of any building connected with the government or military (post offices, banks, bridges, border crossings, barracks, prisons and dams) – cameras can be confiscated by the rather fervent police or security services.
It is advised to always take a travel insurance whenever you go on holidays. Ideally travel insurances should cover:
Some tips when buying your insurance:
Take some cash with you. You can exchange money on arrival at the airport, and this might be the most practical. You do not want to waste time during your holidays to go look for ATMs or foreign exchange bureaus.
As of 1st January 2018, nationals of all countries receive a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders. A single entry tourist visa costs US $30 (exclusions apply for select countries and is valid for 30 days).
Visas can be applied for before departure, by submitting an application online, with the option to pay immediately online or upon arrival. Alternatively applications can be submitted at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of the country of residence.
Applicants should have a valid passport or another acceptable travel document. The document must have a validity of at least six months on the day of entry into Rwanda.
Good morning: Mwaramutse
How are you? : Amakuru yawe?
All good? : Meza neza
Good evening: Mwiriwe neza
Cheers: Kubuzima bwacu!
Have a nice day: Umunsi mwiza
How much is this? Nangahe?
Thank you: Murakoze
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