information
Time Zone
Official Languages
Currency
Population
Central Africa Time
(GMT/UTC + 2 hours)
Kinyarwanda
French
English
Rwandan Franc
(Rwf)
13
Million
GENERAL INFORMATION
RWANDA
Rwanda is a country situated in Central Africa, bordered to the North by Uganda, to the East by Tanzania, to the South by Burundi and to the West by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda’s total area is 26,338 Km2, with a population density estimated to be 445 people per km².
Also known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills”, Rwanda has 5 volcanoes, 23 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, 880 miles ’as the crow flies’ west of the Indian Ocean and 1,250 miles east of the Atlantic Ocean – literally in the heart of Africa.
The Altitude ranges from 1000m to 4500m above the sea level. The Main water bodies are Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Ihema, Lake Bulera, Lake Ruhondo, Lake Mugesera. Rwanda’s Vegetation ranges from dense equatorial forest in the north-west of the country to tropical savannah in the east. Main National Parks/Animal Reserves are Akagera, Volcanoes and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks.
KIGALI
The City of Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and is located at Rwanda’s geographical heart. Occupying an area of 730km2, the city is located at latitude 10°58’ S and a longitude 30°07’ E. The average annual precipitation rate is approximately, with an annual average high temperature of 27°C and annual average low temperature of 16°C.
The City of Kigali is composed of three Districts namely Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge. Gasabo is the largest district by geographical area at 429.3km2, followed by Kicukiro (166.7km2) and Nyarugenge (134km2). The City of Kigali population is 1,745,555 per the fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC5).
The districts are also divided into 35 administrative sectors which in turn are divided into 161 Cells. The smallest administrative unit is the village, and the city is made up of 1,155 villages. The city boarders the Gicumbi and Rulindo Districts of Northern Province, Bugesera and Rwamagana Districts of Eastern Province and Kamonyi District of Southern Province. Kigali is the most visited area in Rwanda. It houses several tourism sites, hotels, a centrally placed international airport and many sporting centres including the BK and Amahoro arenas, Kigali Golf Resort & Villas and Rwanda’s Cricket Stadium, Kicukiro Oval.
The City of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda has seen rapid growth for the last two and half decades. It is among the fastest growing cities in Africa with an urbanization annual growth rate of 4% and it contributes over 41% of the national GDP which indicates the primacy of Kigali to the Rwandan economy.
This growth has been driven by visionary leadership in Rwanda which has helped transform the country from a low scale agrarian economy to an active player within the regional economy. Kigali has been at the centre of the transformation in Rwanda and is on the threshold of rapid economic growth.
SECURITY
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world, ranked 1st in Africa and 5th globally by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
HEALTH
General health advice for travellers to Rwanda:
• Vaccinations: While there is no vaccine requirement to enter Rwanda, travellers should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, following the advice of their local healthcare provider. A valid tetanus vaccination is highly recommended. Moreover, a small personal first-aid kit is also highly recommended.
• Malaria: Most of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major problem, but the agent responsible for the disease may be present and preventive measures are recommended.
Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medications as a preventive measure, but the most important thing is to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk.
Travelers are advised to seek immediate medical attention and consult a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms such as high fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, chills, sweating, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial treatment are available in all health establishments.
• Yellow fever: Though Rwanda is at low risk of yellow fever, a vaccination is only required for travelers from yellow fever endemic countries (see World Health Organization website for additional details). Vaccination must be taken 10 days before traveling to Rwanda. Travelers arriving from yellow fever endemic countries without a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be vaccinated upon entry. No entry is allowed to a traveler from an endemic country who fails to present a yellow fever certificate and does not consent to be vaccinated or quarantined. The cost related to quarantine and/or vaccination upon entry will be covered by the traveler.
• Mpox: Travelers should avoid prolonged skin-to-skin contact with sick people showing Mpox symptoms (skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever). Travelers should wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms. Mpox vaccines are available for post-exposure prophylaxis. No preventive Mpox vaccine is required.
• Marburg Virus Disease (MVD): The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) was officially declared over in Rwanda on 20 December 2024. No new cases were reported for 42 days after the last patient tested negative for the virus twice, as per the WHO protocol for ending such outbreaks.
As a small country, medical help is rarely far away in Rwanda. 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.
• General health rules: It is advisable
not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns – make sure the seal is intact.
not approach stray animals (especially dogs)
avoid walking barefoot on wet floors
regular hand washing, before and after meals
• Local Hospitals
King Faisal Hospital, KG 544 Street 10, Kacyiru, Gasabo, Kigali.
Visit online: https://kfh.rw/
Call toll free from a local line: 3939 or +250 788 123 200
University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, KN 4 Ave, Kigali
Visit online: https://www.chuk.rw/
Call toll free from a local line: 2023 or +250 788 304 005
Rwanda Military Hospital, KK 739 Street Kanombe, Kicukiro District, Kigali
Visit online: https://rwandamilitaryhospital.rw/
Call toll free from a local line: 4060 or +250 252 586 420
TRAVEL
BY PLANE
All international flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, just 10km from Kigali city center. Airlines servicing Kigali International Airport are: RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Direct international flights travel to Brussels, London, Paris, Dubai and Doha.
Regional flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, which is 66 minutes flying time from Nairobi Kenya and 30 minutes flying time from Kampala, Uganda.
Daily connections: RwandAir offers regular connections to: Abuja, Accra, Bangui, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Cotonou, Dar Es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Johannesburg, Kamembe, Kilimanjaro, Lagos, Libreville, Lusaka and Nairobi.
Travelers: You will find information on baggage and passengers’ personal effects, allowances, and prohibited goods here: https://www.rra.gov.rw/en/customs-services/travelers
IMMIGRATION & VISAS
VISA INFORMATION
All citizens of the world are issued a visa upon arrival at Kigali International Airport and all border posts without prior application. Citizens of country members of the following international organizations; African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie get visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a visit of 30 days.
A citizen of East African Community Member States shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for the period of six months. The following countries to be granted 90 days valid visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the state of Qatar.
The countries listed below are eligible for a 50 USD single entry visa or 70 USD multiple entry visa. This visa is valid for 30 days for single entry, or 90 days for multiple entries. The visa is paid for upon arrival to the airport and can be paid for by cash or card (excluding American Express).
For further information on visas please visit www.migration.gov.rw.
PASSPORT/TRAVEL DOCUMENT
All travellers must hold a valid passport or another acceptable travel document. The document must have a validity of at least 6 months on the day of entry in Rwanda.
In principle, citizens from the following regions hold the corresponding passport and must follow the related entry requirements:
• Hong Kong and Macao → Chinese passport
• Bermuda, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands → British passport
• Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten → Dutch passport
• Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa → U.S. passport
• Cook Islands → New Zealand passport
GETTING AROUND KIGALI
Kigali is easy to move around, in fact most major attractions, conference venues and hotels are under a 15-minute drive from the city center.
Rwanda has a well-surfaced road network linking the major towns, and the most convenient way to travel the country is by car. Smaller roads are frequently unsurfaced with varying conditions, especially during rainy season. Tour operators can arrange a vehicle with driver, or several agencies rent out cars and 4x4s.
Taxis operate in the larger towns. Travel insurance may not cover motorbike taxis, which are also common.
There are no rail services and the most popular form of public transport is buses. Visitors can use their national driver’s license to drive/rent a car in Rwanda. You should always carry your passport or a photocopy of it, while driving.
RENTAL COMPANIES
East Africa Tourism and Transport Services Ltd (EATTS)
Guestpro Tours Ltd
Limoz Rwanda Ltd
Premier Transport and Tour Services Ltd (PTS)
Rwanda Tourism and Travel Agency Ltd (RTTA)
Tour des Pays des Grands Lacs Ltd (TPGLA)
United Transparency Company Ltd (UTC)
Vava Tours & Travel Ltd
Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda Ltd (VMWS)
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Buses are the most common form of public transport in Kigali. Destinations and routes are marked on the screen at the front of the bus. In Kigali, buses operate a smart card system called Tap&Go.
To board a bus, you’ll need a “Tap & Go” card. These cards are available in every taxi park and most bus stops.
You can top the cards in the following ways:
Visit vendors at the taxi parks and bus stops
Using MTN Mobile Money by dialing *182*2*5#
Downloading the Tap&Go app on your phone
BY TAXI
The easiest modes of transport around Kigali are taxis and moto-taxis. While Uber is not available in Rwanda, there are a few alternatives. One of the most popular options is Volkswagen Mobility Solutions (MOVE). The majority of MOVE drivers speak English, and the cars are generally newer. However, this app requires a local Rwandan phone number, and availability can be limited. Depending on your location and the time of day, pickup wait times may reach 30-45 minutes during peak hours. You may choose to download the MOVE app on your phone or call 1010 to book a taxi.
Another option is the Rwanda taxi app, known as Yego Moto. This app allows you to hail both regular taxis and motorbike taxis, so be sure to adjust your rideshare settings accordingly. You can call them 9191. Yego Moto tends to have more vehicles available than MOVE, but drivers may not speak English.
You can download these apps on Apple and Android devices.
TRAVELLING OUTSIDE KIGALI
Traveling from Kigali to different districts usually takes 2-3 hours. However, traveling to the Western provinces can take up to 7-9
hours.
NYABUGOGO Taxi Park is the central bus station in Kigali for traveling outside the city.
If you visit a National Park or other tourist destinations, your tour company will usually provide transport.
Rwanda also shares a land border with Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All of these can be
visited by road.
Regional busses to neighboring countries also leave from Nyabugogo Taxi Park.
Journey times vary greatly, depending on your final destination.
Akagera Aviation provides helicopter transfers and tours.
REGULATIONS IN RWANDA
PLASTIC FREE RWANDA
Please refrain from bringing plastic bags to Rwanda. Banned by law since 2008, any plastic bags in your luggage will be confiscated at the airport. Single-use plastics have also been banned and are now being phased out. Please bring your own reusable water bottle with you.
ACCOMMODATION
To make the most of their stay in Kigali, fans and visitors can use the following booking platform link to book their accommodation: LINK. This platform is managed by the official accommodation partner of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, TravelZuri, and offers a wide range of options with a trusted booking service and customer support.
CONNECTIVITY & WIFI
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 evergrowing fiber optic network.
The following Rwandan mobile telecommunication service providers are available: MTN and Airtel.
Mobile telephone service providers also provide gateways to the internet using GPRS, 3G and 4G. Cell phone SIM/e-SIM cards are widely available. Every SIM card user/buyer in Rwanda is expected by law to be registered prior to activation. SIM cards can be registered at the point of purchase.
Kindly have your passport for SIM card registration. All hotels and many public places (e.g. cafes, restaurants) provide internet connectivity to visitors.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage: 230V, AC 50Hz
Plug Type: Type J and Type C. 220/240V AC. It is advisable to bring your own round, two-prong adapter and transformer for 110V AC.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation.
Central bank rates can be found on the National Bank of Rwanda website https://www.bnr.rw. Bureau de Change (Forex Bureaus) are available at the airport and in all parts of Kigali City.
It is recommended to get cash in RWF to pay for local services, however visitors can also use credit/debit cards in Rwanda.
BANKING SERVICES
Banking hours are generally from 09:00 to 17:30 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays. Banking amenities are available at all commercial banks. Most banks have cash dispensing machines accepting Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus. Most internationally recognized currencies and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at commercial banks, hotels and the international airport. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.
WEATHER
Average temperature in September: 21°-27°C. Average rainfall in September: 70mm/month.
Fractionally south of the Equator and with much of the country lying at altitude, Rwanda enjoys an agreeable tropical highland climate. Temperatures vary considerably between locations, but vary little from month to month. Peak temperatures rarely exceed 30°C (86°F) in the daytime or drop below 15°C (59°F) at night.
There are two rainy seasons in a year, from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December. The dry season, from June to mid-September, sees light cloud cover and occasional light rainfall. The roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate in this period.
BUSINESS & SHOPPING HOURS
Public offices open from 09:00 to 17:00 while most businesses open from 08:00 to 18:00, sometimes later, Monday to Friday. Weekend business hours range between 09:00 and 13:00, while shopping centers and boutiques remain open until late.
For recommendations on shops and restaurants around Kigali, please visit:
https://rcb.rw/IMG/pdf/e-book_dine_shop_getaround_english__2023-compressed.pdf
EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Fire Brigade (Toll Free from a local line): 111 or +250 788 311 224
Ambulance (Toll Free from a local line): 912
General Assistance (Toll Free from a local line): 997
Rwanda National Police (Toll Free from a local line): 112
MORE INFORMATIONS
More information for travellers to Rwanda: https://visitrwanda.com/practical-information/
More information about the city of Kigali: https://www.kigalicity.gov.rw/
