RWANDA

This "Land of a Thousand Hills" truly delivers an East African journey like no other. Imagine standing near majestic mountain gorillas in their volcanic home, or spending time with chimpanzees in ancient forests.

ABOUT RWANDA

Beyond these incredible wildlife encounters, you'll feel the pulse of a vibrant, strong culture. This is a place where every landscape, from its misty peaks to its serene lakes, invites quiet contemplation. You'll go home changed, carrying the spirit of this remarkable place, having forged a real, personal connection to the wild and its people.

Best time to visit

Plan your journey for the perfect season to witness wildlife and enjoy vibrant landscapes.

Travel Information

Essential tips for a smooth safari—what to pack, how to get here, and travel safety insights.

Things to do

Explore safaris, cultural encounters, and breathtaking landscapes.

MAP OF RWANDA

PLACES TO GO

These are places chosen not for fame, but for feeling — quiet, raw, and unforgettable.

SAFARIS IDEAS

Every journey with Safari Lux Travel is personal — shaped around sustainable travel, how you like to travel, what moves you, and the moments you’ll never want to forget.

SAFARI IDEAS

Every journey with Safari Lux Travel is personal — shaped around sustainable travel, how you like to travel, what moves you, and the moments you’ll never want to forget. Here are a few ideas to inspire your adventure.

PLACES TO GO

Safari Lux Travel elevates your Rwandan journey beyond the expected. Imagine tracking rare Mountain Gorillas amidst Volcanoes National Park's misty peaks, encountering chimpanzees deep within Nyungwe's ancient canopy, or exploring the vast, wildlife-rich plains of Akagera.

Dreaming of Africa?

Let our team of travel specialists guide you in planning your next extraordinary journey.

WHERE TO STAY

We shape every Safari Lux Travel lodging experience around sustainable choices, how you like to relax, what excites you, and securing those moments you'll never forget. Discover inspiring ideas for your perfect place to stay here.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Given Rwanda's hilly and forested terrain, it experiences a tropical climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry seasons typically run from June to September, and again from December to February. The rainy seasons occur from March to May, and October to November. While primate treks are a highlight of any trip here, keep in mind that rainforest habitats are inherently wet, so you should expect some rain regardless of the season.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Getting to Rwanda is straightforward, but the experience is truly unique. You'll arrive at Kigali International Airport (KGL), where most nationalities can get a visa on arrival. For clothing, it's best to pack light, breathable layers for the daytime, but be sure to bring warmer clothes for the cooler mornings, especially if you plan to visit the forest regions.

Capital City - Kigali

Kigali, Rwanda’s dynamic capital, sits centrally, sprawling across hills and valleys with excellent road connections. Established as an administrative outpost in 1907, it became the capital at independence in 1962, taking over from Huye. Visitors often note its impressive cleanliness, a point of pride across Rwandan communities. This rapidly developing city boasts modern shopping malls, office buildings, and a world-class convention center inspired by historic Kings’ Palaces, which illuminates the night sky. A Kigali visit isn’t complete without seeing the Genocide Memorial, honoring the over one million Rwandans lost in 1994. Beyond reflection, the city offers diverse dining and nightlife, panoramic views, and the Kigali Cultural Village, a dedicated space for local artisans and food vendors to showcase their goods.

People & Culture

Since the 1994 genocide, the Rwandan government has actively fostered a unified national identity. Rather than identifying as Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa, Rwandans now primarily recognize themselves as one people. It’s generally considered impolite to inquire about someone’s ethnic group. Rwandans share a common language, Kinyarwanda (a Bantu language), and a rich cultural heritage. Swahili and French are also widely spoken.

How do I get to Rwanda?

AIR

Kigali International Airport (KGL) is Rwanda’s primary gateway, served by numerous international carriers. You can find direct flights with airlines such as KLM, Brussels Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airlines, and the national carrier, RwandAir.

LAND

Rwanda shares accessible land borders with its neighbors:

From Uganda (North): Two main crossings include Cyanika Border, about a 3-hour drive from Kigali, and Gatuna Border, approximately 1.5 hours from Kigali.
From Tanzania (East): Land access is available.
From Burundi (South): Land access is available.
From Democratic Republic of Congo (West): Land access is available.

How to Travel Through Rwanda

The best way to experience Rwanda’s stunning landscapes is by road, or for breathtaking views, consider light aircraft flights. We offer a range of affordable helicopter options through Akagera Aviation, from convenient transfers to unforgettable sightseeing tours. Choose from a 2-seater Robinson, 6-seater Agusta, or even 19-seater military-type choppers.

Passport and Visas to Rwanda

All visitors need a valid passport, with at least six months’ validity remaining from your entry date, and one blank page for stamps. Citizens of all African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member states enjoy visa-free entry. Additionally, nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, South Africa, United States of America, Germany, Mauritius, Great Britain, Sweden, and Hong Kong may also visit without a visa for up to 90 days.

For all other countries, visas can be obtained upon arrival without prior application (typically $50 USD for a 30-day single entry). An entry facility can also be requested online via the official immigration website. For those planning to visit Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, the East African Tourist Visa ($100 USD) offers convenient, single-visa movement between these three nations for up to 90 days.

Money

Rwanda’s national currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). You’ll find it fairly easy to exchange major foreign currencies like US Dollars or Euros into Rwandan Francs upon arrival. Most larger hotels in Kigali accept international credit cards.

Banks typically operate Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. In larger towns, you’ll generally find international ATMs available.

Language

The official language is Kinyarwanda (a Bantu language). Many Rwandans also speak English, Swahili, and French.

Health

A valid Yellow Fever and COVID-19 vaccination certificate are mandatory for entry. Anti-malarial medication and mosquito repellent are essential. We also advise drinking only bottled water, not tap water. It’s always best to consult your doctor before traveling.

For environmental reasons, Rwanda is a polythene-free country. Plastic bags, including customary plastic duty-free bags, are banned.

Safety

Rwanda is widely recognized as one of Africa’s safest countries, including for solo travelers, and has even been ranked among the safest globally. While many may still associate it with the tragic 1994 genocide, the country has made remarkable strides in national security, building highly competent and professional security forces. Visitors should still exercise sensible precautions, such as being mindful when walking alone at night, especially in less populated areas.

What to wear

For daytime, we recommend light, comfortable, wash-and-wear casual clothing. Evenings in the north and south (like Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park) can get cool, so pack a jacket, sweater, or fleece.

If you are planning to trek mountain gorillas, you’ll definitely need:

Strong hiking boots
Socks long enough to tuck into your trousers
Long-sleeved shirts to protect against stinging nettles
Waterproof jackets
Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses!

And of course, bring your camera and binoculars to capture those unforgettable moments. You’ll find a more comprehensive packing list in our pre-arrival information section.

Driving

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. We generally don’t recommend self-drive tours for visitors. If you’re not experienced with African road conditions, it’s best to stick with the drivers and vehicles arranged by our company.

Tipping

Tipping in Rwanda, of course, depends entirely on your satisfaction, but even a small gesture of gratitude is always highly appreciated. As a general guideline, you might consider USD $10-15 per person per day for your driver/guide.

For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, we recommend $15 per guest for the tracking guides. If you use a porter for gorilla trekking, a tip of $20 is suggested.

Foods & drinks

Rwandan cuisine largely centers on fresh, local produce from subsistence farming, featuring starchy staples like sweet potatoes, beans, cassava, and the ever-popular potato (try the local “Ibiraya” fries!). Tourist-oriented hotels and restaurants, particularly in Kigali and larger towns, offer a wider range of Western-style meals and international cuisine.

Electricity

Rwanda uses a standard voltage of 220V with a two-pin plug system (Type C/E/F). If your home country uses a different voltage, you’ll need a voltage converter for appliances like hair dryers or electric razors. We highly recommend traveling with a universal adapter. Feel free to consult us before your trip for specific advice.

Luggage

We recommend soft-sided luggage for ease of travel. Packing light with a duffel bag and a small backpack is ideal. Please refer to our pre-arrival information for a full packing list.