A valid passport is mandatory. Visa is required except for a stay of three months, nationals of:, Burundi, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, DR of Congo, Mauritius, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, and USA. Visa costs USD 60.00 at the time of printing.

Applicationfor Rwanda Visa: Get your visa at the Rwandan Embassies abroad or directly via internet.  visit this page and apply for the visa directly

RwandaResident visa: If you desire to stay and work in Rwanda, you are expected to apply for a resident permit. This costs FRw 200,000 equivalent to USD 358.00

Extensionof Rwanda visitor's visa: On expiry of visa, you can renew it at the cost of RFW 25,000 Equivalent to USD 50.00

Whento Visit:

Throughout the year.

Dressing:

Dressing codes are informal. Light clothing is recommended during the day but at night a light sweater can be necessary. Those wishing to visit Nyungwe forest and Virungas must bring with them heavier clothing. Hiking boots arerecommended for Volcanoes and Nyungwe forest. Sunglasses and a hat may be necessary especially during the hot months.  For gorilla tracking a baseball cap is recommended.

What to bring:

Camera, field guides (for birds, Ber Van Perlo�s illustrated Birds of Eastern Africa), a pair of binoculars, a video camera for non professional photography is recommended even when visiting gorillas.

Communication:

Rwanda�s Telephone network is very efficient.  The entire country is covered by a mobile phone network provided by the MTN Rwanda Cell, the leading Telecommunications company in the country. One can easily make international calls even from the phone kiosks available in the streets.   You can surf the internet from the cyber cafes in various towns.

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Rwanda is as safe as (if not safer than) most other countries.  However some common sense precautions should be taken.  Do not flaunt your wealth by wearing expensive jewellery or carrying large wads of money openly.  Avoid changing money in the streets.  Likewise avoid overcrowded streets and do not leave  your baggage un-attended.  Leave your valuables with the hotel for safe keeping.

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Eletricity:

• >Atraco Express>, Rue Mont Kabuye, operate taxi service throughout the country to >Gisenyi, Ruhengeri, Kibuye, butare, Kibungo. 

• >ONATRACOM (the National transport company) - Nyamirambo street, Biryogo opposite  the mosque Tel: +250 571241, operate coach services to all parts of Rwanda from Kigali.> 

• >Okapi Car>, Avenue de la Paix/ Rue Mont Kabuye Tel/Fax: +250 574413 operate >commuter service within Kigali and in addition operate minibus service up country to all the provinces of Rwanda except Gikongoro and Kibungo.  

• >Stella Express  Rue Mont Kabuye, operate taxi service to Kibungo> 

• >Trans Express 2000  Rue Mont Kabuye operate taxi service to Butare.> 

• >Virunga Express  Rue du Lac Rwero Tel: +250 08431960/08510873 operate minibus service to Ruhengeri and even Goma in Eastern DRC.> 

• >Volcanoes Express>, Rue Mont Kabuye, operate taxi service to Butare.> 

>REGIONAL TRAVEL

>Departures start as early as 06:00  Hrs.   For Specific Departure times please contact the bus company.

>Travelling to Kampala (Journey time 8 hours)> 

>The following companies operate daily coach service to Kampala from Nyabugogo.> 

• >Gaso Bus Company> 

• >Jaguar Bus Company>, Tel: +250 08614838> 

• >ONATRACOM> Tel: +250 571241> 

• >Regional Coach Services> Tel: +250 08866792> 

>Bus travel  to Nairobi ( Kenya) (Journey time 24 Hours)> 

>The following companies operate daily coach service to Nairobi from Nyabugogo.> 

• >Regional Coach Services> Tel: +250 08866792.> 

• >Jaguar Bus Company>, Tel: +250 08614838> 

>Bus travel to (Arusha) Tanzania (Journey time 30 Hrs)

>Use a public share taxi from Kigali to Rusumo.  The Tanzania side has accommodation facilities.  Once you across the border, get  into the public transport to Ngara and then connect with a public bus to Mwanza. 

>An alternatively use Jaguar/Regional coach from Kigali and  connect to Akamba bus/ Scandinavian at Kampala.  These buses operate to Arusha and Dare-es-salaam via Nairobi.> 

>Bus transport to Goma/Bukavu (Democratic Republic of Congo)> 

• >Okapi Car, Avenue de la Paix/ Rue Mont Kabuye Tel/Fax :+250 574413.> 

• >Atraco Express> Rue Mont Kabuye.> 

• >>Virunga Express,> Rue du Lac Rwero, Tel: 08431960/08510873.> 

>Bus transport Kigali Bunjumbura (Burundi) (Journey time 6 Hours)

>Public share taxis travel between Kigali and Bujumbura. 

>Contact: 

• >Venus Travel, >Tel: +250 570303> 

• >Yahoo Car Express, >Avenue de la Paix Tel +250 08305334.>   

>Park Entrance Fees and other charges for non residents:> 

>Park Entrance fee

• >Akagera National Park entrance USD 20; Game drives USD 10.00

• >Nyungwe forest National Parks entrance USD 20 

• >Volcanoes National Park USD 25

>Other charges in Nyungwe National Park

• >Tracking colobus Nyungwe Forest USD 30 

• >Tracking Chimpanzees Nyungwe Forest USD 50 

• >Birding Nyungwe Forest USD 30   

>Visiting Gorillas and other activities in Volcanoes National Park:

>To visit gorillas one is advised to bring hiking boots, gloves, warm cardigan, rain coat and water proof container for your camera.  

>Charges

• >Gorilla tracking USD 350.00

• >Tracking Golden Monkeys USD 100.00

• >Climbing Bisoke USD 40.00

• >Climbing Karisimbi USD 175.00

• >Visit Dian Fossey Tomb USD 150.00

>Boat transport in Lake Kivu.

>There is no scheduled boat transportation in the lake.  However there are boats available for hire at Oasis Guest House, Centre Bethanie, Kibuye Guest House and HoTel Ihusi(Goma). Boat owners accepts paying clients if there is space. 

>It takes 2-3 hours to cruise from Gisenyi to Cyangugu.  Kibuye to Gisenyi 1hour to 1 �hr and 2 hours Kibuye to Cyangugu. 

>Short cruises are available at reasonable prices from the hotels.