Rwanda Tourism

Getting to Rwanda: One can fly to Rwanda with Sabena, Alliance Express/Alliance Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania and Air Burundi. All international flights land at Kanombe Airport which is 10kms away from central Kigali.

Passports and visas: A valid passport is mandatory. Visas are not required for nationals of the USA, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi And The DRC. For further information, please call the Rwandan Embassy/Mission nearest to you. (Phone numbers provide below and in the Useful Contacts section of this website).

Health: A certificate for yellow fever vaccination is required. Malaria is present and anti-malarial drugs are recommended. Bottled mineral water, which is available in all major towns, is recommended instead of drinking ordinary tap water.

Money: The unit of currency is the Rwandan franc, which is traded at US$1=Rfr 430- 450 in April 2001. The US dollar is the hard currency preference. It may be impossible to exchange travelers’ cheques at a good rate (or at all) away from Kigali. All major credit cards can be used at hotels and good restaurants in Kigali.

Language: In addition to the indigenous language, Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages. French is widely spoken throughout the country, while many people speak English in Kigali and the main tourist areas. Kiswahili is also widely spoken around the country.

Tours of Rwanda can be organized through the National Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) or through a tour operator.

Rwanda Tourism