Rwanda Beach Holidays
The land of a thousand hills with Lake Kivu's freshwater shores and mountain gorilla encounters. Get flights, travel tips, and essential info for Rwanda.
€1 = RF 1,679
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Travel warning
Weather in Rwanda
Fri
Sat
Sun
SPF level in Rwanda
Autumn
SPF 50+
Spring
SPF 50+
Summer
SPF 50+ (extreme)
Winter
SPF 50+
Entry requirements for Rwanda
You must have a visa to enter Rwanda as a visitor, which you can get as a free 30-day visa on arrival.
Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after your arrival date and at least one blank page for entry stamps.
Foreign nationals who have travelled to or transited through the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 30 days will be denied entry.
Rwandan nationals and foreign residents with valid proof of residency who have travelled through DRC in the last 30 days will be subject to mandatory quarantine procedures.
You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty when going through customs.
Good to know:
You must declare drones on arrival, as they may be confiscated or held until you leave.
If you are coming from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk, you must have a certificate to prove you have had the vaccination.
Safety in Rwanda
Rwanda is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Take care when walking at night, particularly in less populated areas, to avoid crime and military zones.
Do not bring plastic bags into the country as they will be confiscated due to a national ban.
Be aware that last Saturdays of each month are community service days when most services close from 7am to 11am.
Carry both the 1949 version of an International Driving Permit and your UK driving licence with you if you plan to drive.
Avoid carrying large amounts of money or valuables and do not leave valuables in parked cars.
Bonus tips:
Check for potential border closures if planning to travel near the Democratic Republic of Congo border for gorilla or chimpanzee trekking.
Be extremely cautious with alcoholic drinks in popular travel destinations due to a risk of methanol poisoning.
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Driving in Rwanda
A UK driving license is valid for up to six months. An international driving permit is recommended.
Side of the road
Right
Motorway speed limit
80 km/h
Urban speed limit
40 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.08%
Remember: Rwanda drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Rwanda
Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including repatriation, as medical facilities can be limited, especially outside Kigali. Check that your insurance covers all activities you plan to do, such as trekking or wildlife viewing.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance of your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. It is important to take precautions against mosquito bites to prevent malaria, Zika virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases. Drink only bottled or boiled water, and be cautious about food hygiene to avoid stomach upsets.
Cards & payments
Card payments are becoming more common in Kigali, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and larger supermarkets. However, cash is still widely preferred, especially outside the capital.
Visa
Medium
Mastercard
Medium
American Express
Low
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Rwanda
Tipping is appreciated for good service in Rwanda, though not always expected. It's becoming more common, especially in tourist areas.
Restaurant
5-10% of the bill
Bar/Café
Round up the bill or leave a small amount
Taxi
Round up the fare
Hotel Porter
RWF 500-1000 per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
RWF 1000-2000 per day
Tour Guide
RWF 5000-10000 per day
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, EU roaming agreements no longer apply. Check with your mobile provider for roaming charges in Rwanda. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for cheaper rates.
Local SIM
10GB for 10000 RWF (~£8)
Network coverage
4G, 3G, 2G
Electrical in Rwanda
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type J
UK adapter needed
WiFi & internet
Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, restaurants, and cafes in Kigali and other major towns. However, speeds can be variable.
Average speed
10 Mbps
Wi-Fi access is growing, but can be unreliable. Mobile data is a good alternative, so purchasing a local SIM with a data package is advisable if consistent internet access is needed.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Rwanda
Country code
250
To call Rwanda from the UK, dial 00 250 followed by the local number.
UK Embassy
26 KN 41 Street, Kiyovu, Kigali, Rwanda
Phone
+250 252 582 207
Website
Kigali International Airport
Kamembe Airport
Butare Airport
Gisenyi Airport
Ruhengeri Airport
Recent updates
Safety
The specific mention that 'The border crossings between Rwanda and DRC at Gisenyi-Goma could close at short notice' has been removed.
Now, the advice simply states that 'The border crossings between Rwanda and DRC could close at short notice', broadening the warning to all crossings.
Health
The Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak that began on 27 September 2024 is now declared ended as of 20 December 2024.
A warning is now included about an Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the DRC's North-Eastern Ituri Province, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Due to the Ebola outbreak, you may now face heightened health screening at international borders in the region.
You are now advised to check the entry requirements for any country you are travelling to or transiting.
Entry Requirements
New rules now allow transit from the DRC through Rwanda only for exceptional humanitarian missions and essential travel, subject to a health risk assessment and approval.
Transit is now conditional on meeting destination-country, transport operator, and public health requirements.
New border measures due to Ebola mean entry is now denied to foreign nationals who have been in or transited through the DRC in the last 30 days.
Rwandan nationals and foreign residents who have been in the DRC in the last 30 days are now subject to mandatory quarantine procedures on entry.
Beaches in Rwanda
No beaches listed for Rwanda yet.
Frequently asked Questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.