Rwanda Travel Guide

Health information

Visitors to East Africa arriving from any country with risk of yellow fever are required to carry proof of yellow fever vaccination. There is risk of malaria throughout the year so we advise that carry a good mosquito repellent and wear clothes that cover most parts of your body, especially if you are traveling during the rainy months.

Visitors to Rwanda and Uganda who are going gorilla trekking should be aware that gorillas are susceptible to most human diseases. If you are suffering from a contagious disease (especially the flu), you must inform your guide and not join the trek for the safety of these endangered gorillas. A standard trek is a strenuous and can last between one to four hours each way (two to three hours is usual in each direction). Please note that children below 15 years of age are not permitted to go gorilla trekking.

Language and religion

The official languages in Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Kinyarwanda is a Bantu language and is spoken widely. Kirundi – spoken in the neighboring country Burundi – and Kinyarwanda, are similar languages and have formed a wider dialect continuum called Rwanda–Rundi. Other languages like Swahili are also spoken in Rwanda. The use of English is most common in larger cities and in popular tourist destinations only. The further you travel into the interiors, the lesser the chances of finding locals who can converse in English.

The majority of Rwandans (about 65%) are Roman Catholic and another 9% are Protestant. Only about 1% of the population is Muslim. About a fourth of Rwandans adhere to indigenous beliefs. Many Rwandans practice both their traditional religion and Christianity at the same time.

Currency and Cards

In Rwanda, US dollars are the most accepted currency in larger cities although smaller shops will only accept local currency. If you are carrying dollar bills, do make sure that they were printed in 2013 or later or you may be refused service. International credit cards, mainly Visa and Mastercard, are accepted at most establishments. Amex cards however, are not accepted in most areas.