information on Rwanda
About rwanda - tourism facts
information on rwanda

GENERAL INFORMATION ON RWANDA

OVERVIEW

Rwanda is a small landlocked country found in tropical central Africa. This country is half the size of Scotland, and also known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills', testament to its craggy mountains, volcanic ranges and rolling uplands.
Genocide in Rwanda began when both the Rwandan President Habyarimana and Burundi’s President Ntaryamira died in a plane which was shot on 6 April 1994.
During the genocide, a million people were violently murdered in the space of only three months. The army began a campaign of death and destruction, targeting not only Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.
On 8 April 1994, just only two days after the killings had began - the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) launched a large offensive to capture Kigali and end the genocide.
The RPF captured Kigali on 4 July 1994 and the genocide finally came to an end.

ECONOMY AND MONEY

The country with it’s rich soils and warm, wet climate it comes as no surprise to learn that it derives 40 percent of its GDP from agriculture coffee being the dominant export - 75 percent of export income.
Tourism is an ever-increasing source of foreign revenue. Rwanda remains a major recipient of foreign aid, much of which is earmarked for the rebuilding and development of infrastructure.
Rwanda's national currency is the Rwanda franc though usually tourists bring US dollars with them. They are readily accepted and incase the gorilla trekking permit are to be prepaid; US dollars will be needed in cash.
Changing money may involve some shopping around before you use the poor rates offered by the banks or hotels. Credit cards are really only accepted at the big hotels in Kigali and ATM service is in its infancy.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Rwanda’s temperature averages about 25°C annually. It's hot and damp and this is a tropical, almost equatorial country, with curious climate patterns.
There are two seasons in Rwanda, the dry season and wet season. The long rainy season takes place from mid-February until the beginning of June, and the short rainy season takes place from mid-September until mid-December.
The weather varies geographically too; eastern Rwanda gets less rain than the north and west of the country.
It has been known, rarely, to be cold enough to require a jersey in Kigali, and the tops of the volcanoes in northern Rwanda are occasionally snow-covered.

A MAP SHOWING DIFFERENT REGIONS IN RWANDA.

CLIMATE

Rwanda has got a high altitude and due to this, the country has a pleasing tropical highland climate, having a daily temperature range as high as 14°C (25°F). Temperatures differ considerably from area to area in the country because of the differences in altitude. The average temperature in the day is about 30°C except in highland areas where it is cooler.  Rwanda experiences four seasons which include; long rains from mid March to mid May, short rains from mid-October to mid-December; long dry period from mid-May to mid-October and short dry season from mid-December to mid-March. The north-east has more rainfall than other parts of the country.

VISAS & IMMIGRATION

Foreign visitors are required to have visas except the nationals of Tanzania and Uganda. The visas are usually valid for 3 months and can be renewed from Kigali.

MONEY

The official Currency in Rwanda is Rwanda Franc (FRw) 100 centimes.
A few big hotels in the country accept credit cards but it is usually advisable to take some cash in US Dollars because traveler’s cheques can be at times difficult and consume time to exchange.

BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS

BANKS
There are several banks found in different areas of the country but most of them are located in the capital city Kigali. The banks include Bancor S.A located at Union Trade Centre Building, Banque Commerciale Du Rwanda S.A, Bank Continentale Africaine Rwanda, Bank Nationale du Rwanda, Banque de Kigali, Banque de l habitat du Rwanda, Cogebanque, ECO Bank, Fina Bank, Rwanda Development Bank, Union des banques popularizes, Vision Finance Company S.A.

Banking:    Monday to Friday: 0830-1130 and 1330-1630     Saturday: 0830-1130

FOREX BUREAUS/ BUREAU DE CHANGE

Alfa Forex Bureau, Cagep Forex Bureau, Dufatanye Forex Bureau, Express Forex Bureau, Give and Take Forex Bureau, Great Lakes Forex Bureau, Kigali National Forex Bureau, Papiforex Leadership, Rexco Forex Bureau, Satguru Travel and Tours Service, Taurus Forex Bureau.

Shops:     Monday to Friday: 0830-1300 and 1400-1700     Saturday: 0830-1230

LOCAL TIME

Rwanda is two hours ahead of GMT

GETTING AROUND

Rwanda possibly has the best roads in East Africa. Many of the visitors who book through a tour company are usually provided with good private vehicles, and 4-wheel drives. All major centers are connected with local and luxury bus services. Air charter services are available anywhere in the country.

TRANSPORT

Air Rwanda offers domestic flights from Kigali to Gisenyi and Kamembe. It has a small departure tax charged for domestic flights.
For public transport, minibuses serve most of the main towns but road conditions are not favorable in some parts of the country.

CAR HIRE

In Rwanda, driving is on the right hand side and one should have an International Driving Licence. There are no international car hire firms in Rwanda but local establishments are found in Kigali.

1st January

New Year's Day

28th January

Democracy Day

1st May

Labor Day

21st May

Kamarampaka Day

26th October

Armed Force's Day

2nd November

All Saint's Day

25th December

Christmas Day

Variable holidays

Easter Monday

 TRAVEL INSURANCE

Incase tourists need medical care while in Rwanda, they should be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through the tourists insurance company. In such circumstances, the tourist has to pay in full after treatment and file a claim with his/her insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore tourists are advised to have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. Incase of any assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative.

For one to be compensated, he/she must have been treated by a licensed medical personnel and provide his/her insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable for visitors to always ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers repatriation to their home country.

 

Electrical Power

Electric Power is 230V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used include
Round pin attachment plug
Round pins with round grounding pin (offset)
 

WHEN TO VISIT

Rwanda can be visited throughout the whole year. Gorilla trekking and other forest walks are not demanding during the dry months. European winter is the best time for birdwatchers to have an opportunity to see birds.

WHAT TO WEAR

The Dress codes in Rwanda are not formal. Daytime temperatures are generally warm, so visitors are required to bring lots of light clothing, supplemented by light sweaters for the cool evenings and heavier clothing for the Parc des Volcans and Nyungwe. When tracking gorillas, visitors are required to wear sturdier clothing to protect them against stinging nettles, and solid walking shoes. A hat and sunglasses provide protection against the sun, and a waterproof jacket may come in handy in the moist mountains.

WHAT TO BRING

Binoculars will greatly boost game drives and forest walks. Bring a camera and an adequate stock of film. Print film is available but transparency film is not. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.

COMMUNICATIONS

The country has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the whole country.
International phone calls can be made easily. Appropriate SIM cards for the network are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size have several Internet cafes and computer centers.

HIKING AND BIKING

Rwanda has got a fine road network, with little traffic which offers wonderful opportunities for long bicycle trips across the luxuriant green hills and valleys. Mountain biking and hiking can be enjoyed on the thousands of kilometers of fine rural trails linking remote villages, across the entire country.

GORILLA PERMITS

Gorilla Permits are usually arranged by a travel operator, or directly through the Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) / The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks, at the headquarters in Kigali, or at their office in Musanze.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

Visitors are required to have a certificate of yellow-fever vaccination. Maralia disease is present too and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in grocery shops and supermarkets in all towns. Hospitals are also located in all the major towns. In Kigali; Americans may go to King Faycal Hospital, a private facility that offers limited services. There is also a missionary dental clinic in Kigali staffed by an American dentist. An American-operated missionary hospital with some surgical facilities is in Kibagora, in southwestern Rwanda. Another hospital with American physicians is located in Ruhengeri, near the gorilla trekking area, and a Chinese hospital is located in southeastern Rwanda in Kibungo. There is also a very good hospital near Lac Muhazi, where even people from Kigali go to. The U.S. Embassy maintains a current list of healthcare providers and facilities in Rwanda. This list is included in the Consular Section’s welcome packets for American citizens.

NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS -NGOS

Non Governmental Organizations are known to be charitable, non-profitable, and community organizations, which are separate from the state. In Rwanda, several NGO’s are present in the country, some are local and others are international. NGOs have improved the rights and well-being of children, the disabled, the poor and indigenous people.
NGO’s are playing an important role too in shortening various disasters, such as environment deterioration, Human rights’ group development, and other activities related to humanitarian assistance.
In Rwanda we have a great number of Local and International NGO’s.

CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Tourists who visit Rwanda have been amused  by the fact that Rwandans are harmoniously living together even  after the Genocide that is 10 years back that threatened to destroy the social fabric and destroy centuries.  Today Rwandans not only living together but they share the common aspirations as one people as before.
Music and dance plays an important role in the traditions of Rwandans. The Rwandan people have a variety of music and dance which range from acts that demonstrate epics commemorating excellence and bravery, humorous lyrics to hunting root.
Intore Dance Troup is the finest of Rwanda’s varied and dynamic traditional musical and dance styles. A wide range of traditional handicrafts is produced in rural Rwanda, ranging from ceramics and basketry to traditional woodcarvings and contemporary paintings.
Rwanda has many exciting cites where one would find objects that reflects its culture. Butare Province which is located in the southern, bordered with Burundi, is where you find the superb National Museum with houses that paramount ethnographic collection.

CLINICS

Clinique Liberte, Tel: +250507063
Hospital Roi Faycale, Tel: + 25082421, 85397, Fax: +250 570184
Faith Clinic, Avenue de la Paix Tel +250570296.
Polyclinique Centrale de Kigali, Tel: +250576377
Polyclinique du Carefour, Tel: +250571361/62.
Polyclinique du Plateau, Blvd de la Revolution, Tel: +250578767, Fax: +250572125
Polyfam, Avenue de la Justice, Ameki Color Building, Tel +250573477, Fax: +250578885

DENTISTS

Clinique Dentaire Adventiste, Tel: +250582431.

DOCTORS

Medecine Generaliste, Avenue du lac Burera, Tel: +250576357 or +250 08638548, Fax: +250576357 Medecine Generaliste, Tel +250573557

FOOTBALL

This is a favorite sport in Rwanda which is played at the Amahoro National Stadium

GORILLA & MONKEY TREKKING

All permits to visit the mountain gorillas and Golden Monkeys are booked through the Rwanda Tourism Board offices ORTPN in Kigali or Ruhengeri.
Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Pares Nationaux (ORTPNI ' The Rwanda Tourism Board, Boulevard de la Revolution n° I, PO Box 905, Kigali, Rwanda, Tel +250576514 or 573396, Fax +250576515, Email: reservation@rwandatourism.com

HEALTH CLUBS/GYMS

Cercle Sportif, Kigali Serena Hotel, Boulevard de la Revolution, Tel: +250597100.
Kim Health Club, Tel: + 250 08516303 Mille Collines Hotel, Tel: +250576530, Fax: +250 576541 Novotel Umubano, Boulevard de l'Umugamba Tel: + 250 585816, Fax: + 250 582957

MAIN HOSPITALS

King Faisal Hospital, Tel: + 250 582421, 585397,582469, Fax: +250583203, E-mail: faisal@rwandal.com
CHUK, Tel: +250 575406/575555/575150/ 575462, Fax: +250576638, E-mail: chk@rwandateI1rwanda1.com.wwwchkorgrw
Polyclique du Plateau, Tel: +250578767, Fax: +250 572125, E-mail pcp@rwanda1 .com

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Clinique Ophtalmologique, Tel: +250571143

OPTICIANS

Avenue du Commerce, (041) 571804.
Nu Vision Optical, City Plaza Avenue du Commerce.
Kigaloptic, Rue de Lac Ihema, (Building Ets Ndamage), Tel: + 250573041, Fax + 250 573041, Email minjb@rwandatell.rwandal.com O.P.A Pharmacies s.a.r.l, Tel: + 250 51 1089, 575389, Fax: +250574749
Email: umubano@rwandal.com, www.novotelcom www.accorhotels.com Nyarutarama Tennis Club Tel:+250 587009, Email: cnorw@rwandal.com.
Rafiki Health Club, Tel: + 250510388/ 577024

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The fine road network, with little traffic, offers wonderful opportunities for long bicycle trips across the verdant hills and valleys Mountain biking and hiking can be enjoyed on the thousands of kilometres of fine rural trails linking remote villages, criss-crossing the entire country.

SWIMMING

Novotel Umubano, Boulevard de l'Umugamba Tel + 250 585816, Fax + 250 582957 Email umubano@rwandal.com, www.novotelcom www.accorhotels.com
Kigali International Hotel, Boulevard de la Revolution, Tel: + 250 597100 Mille Collines Hotel, Tel: +25057653 Nyarutarama Tennis Club Tel: +250 587009, Email: cnorw@rwandal.com.

TENNIS

Novotel Umubano, Boulevard de l'Umugamba Tel: +250 585816, Fax: + 250 582957 Email: umubano@rwanda1.com, www.novotelcom www.accorhotels.com Mille Collines Hotel, Tel: +25057653
Nyarutarama Tennis Club Tel + 250 587009, Email: cnorw@rwandal.com.