Rwanda: Various travel information
How to get to Rwanda
Air traffic
Direct international flight connections to Kigali are offered twice a week from Brussels. There are also daily connections via Uganda, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. There are flights from Nairobi to Kigali twice a day, and several times a week from Bujumbura.
By bus
Several bus companies guarantee the eight-hour journey between Kampala (Uganda) and Kigali. The costs for this are around 7 to 9 euros and depend on the travel time.
Although Tanzania shares an open border with Runda, the way from Tanzania is a lot more difficult due to the lack of roads in the west of the country. A bus goes from Mwanza to Benako (both Tanzania), and from Benako there is a bus to Kigali. Or you just drive from Ngara (Tanzania). There are also several buses from Dar es Salaam (via Morogoro and Dodoma) to Kahama. But you have to spend one night in Kahama and from there take a minibus or taxi to the border, where minibuses then continue to Kigali.
Between Burundi and Rwanda, Yahoo Car and Belvedere Lines operate between Kigali and Bujumbura. For border formalities you should definitely contact the respective embassy beforehand. The Belgian border has the best information.
For the most part, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not recommended for tourists because of the instability of the situation, but Goma and Bukavu can be easily visited from Rwanda.
Rail
traffic There is currently no cross-country rail link, but Rwanda and Tanzania have announced that they will be setting up a railway line between Isaka, Tanzania and Kigali.
Travel in the country
Taxi-Velo and motorcycle taxis
Shorter distances in the country are best covered on foot or by taxi-bike, a bicycle-taxi. Such taxis are widely available and relatively inexpensive. But they are banned in urban areas. In addition to bicycles, there are also motorcycle taxis, so-called taxi motos; these are especially popular in Kigali. A normal route shouldn’t cost more than 0.30 to 1 euro.
Minibuses
Longer distances can be covered with Matatu (or Twegerane). These are white minibuses that you will find all over East Africa. The travel experience will make up for any lack of comfort encountered by the masses of people, animals and cargo traveling with you.
Roads and rental cars
The road network in Rwanda has suffered greatly from the civil war; important bridges have also been damaged. An international driver’s license is required.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, Rwanda’s international license plate is:
| RWA |
Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Rwanda embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
German representations in Rwanda
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
10, Avenue Paul VI
Kigali
Tel.: 00250 – (0) 252 – 57 52 22
00 250 – (0) 252 – 57 51 41
Email: info@kigali.diplo.de
Web: http: // www. kigali.diplo.de
Representations of Rwanda in Germany
Embassy in Berlin
Jägerstrasse 67-69
10117 Berlin
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 20 91 65 90
Email: info@rwanda-botschaft.de
| Region | Contact |
| Bavaria | Honorary Consul of the Republic of Rwanda in MunichIsmaniger Strasse 140
81675 Munich Tel.: 0049 – (0) 89 – 99 89 42 99 Email: consulate@schmidpreissler.de |
| Baden-Württemberg | Honorary Consul of the Republic of Rwanda in StuttgartLenzhalde 38
70192 Stuttgart Tel.: 0049 – (0) 711 – 25 06 0 |
Austrian representations in Rwanda
Austria has no representation in Rwanda. Responsible is:
Embassy in Kenya
2nd floor, City House
Corner Wabera Street/Standard Street
Nairobi
Tel.: 00254 – (0) 20 – 319
076/077/078 Email: nairobi-ob@bmeia.gv.at
www.aussenministerium.at/nairobi
Die The Austrian embassy in Kenya is still responsible for:
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Representations of Rwanda in Austria
The embassy in Berlin is responsible (see above)
Swiss representations in Rwanda
Switzerland has no representation in Rwanda. The embassy is responsible for:
Embassy in Kenya
International House, 7th floor
Mama Ngina Street
00100 Nairobi
Tel: 00254 – (0) 20 – 222 8735
Email: nai.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
www.eda.admin.ch/nairobi
The Swiss embassy in Kenya is still responsible for:
- Burundi
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Uganda
Representations of Rwanda in Switzerland
Embassy in Geneva
Rue de Vermont 37/39 (4th floor)
1202 Geneva
Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 919 10 00
Email: ambageneve@minaffet.gov.rw
Tourist office
The Rwanda Tourism Board
PO Box 905
Kigali
Tel: 00250 – (0) 252 – 57 65 14
Email: reservation@rwandatourism.com
Entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Tourists from Germany need a passport that is valid for at least six months to enter Rwanda. A visa is required for people who want to stay longer than 90 days and/or who come to the country for a purpose other than tourism. A valid yellow fever vaccination must be proven when entering from a yellow fever infection area.
Issuing of visas in Germany
Visa department of the Embassy of Rwanda
Jägerstr. 67-69
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 20 91 65 90
Email: info@rwanda-botschaft.de
Foreign exchange, goods
Local currency
The national currency of Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc (FRW)
1 Rwanda Franc = 100 Centimes
Cheap goods, souvenirs
Popular souvenirs in Rwanda include baskets, ceramics, wood carvings and knives.
The following items can be imported into Rwanda duty-free by people aged 16 and over:
2 boxes of cigarettes and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages.
The export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited.
Rwanda: travel medicine, vaccinations, and warnings
Infectious Diseases
The following infectious diseases can be expected in Rwanda:
- Malaria: There is a high risk of infection across the country, which increases during the rainy season. More than 90% of the infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
- Amoebic dysentery
- Bacterial agitation
- Schistosomiasis – there is a risk of infection nationwide
- Cholera – but only travelers who come into contact with contaminated water or food are at risk of infection
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Filariasis
- Typhus – especially in areas with lice
- Yellow fever – there is a high risk of infection across the country, which increases during the rainy season.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Sleeping sickness
- tetanus
- rabies
- typhus
Vaccination recommendations
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Yellow fever – absolutely !!
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
- Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Compulsory vaccination
A valid yellow fever vaccination is required for entry.
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling in the country, it is strongly advised to undergo malaria prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.
