Rwanda

Rwanda’s climate is temperate Tropical highland whereby temperatures are slightly lower than it is in other Equatorial countries, mainly because of high altitudes. During the months of March, April, May, October and November, it is a rainy season in most parts of Rwanda but the average temperature is from 12˚C to 27˚C in Kigali City. During the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December, it is generally dry and hot in Rwanda.

Rwanda’s  time zone is UTC+2 (CAT).

Rwanda’s currency is Franc and is in coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100) as well as notes (in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000). Foreign currencies, especially US Dollars are also accepted in luxury accommodation facilities and Super markets, National Park entry fees and activities. The acceptable payment methods in Rwanda include cash, credit/debit cards (Visas and MasterCard) as well as wire transfer.

Visas are required for travelers from some countries and if you are eligible for these requirements, you will pay something between $30 and $100 per person.

• The single entry conference visas cost $30 valid for 30 days.
• Single entry tourist visas cost $50 and are valid for 30 days.
• The East African tourist visa (guaranteeing multiple entry into Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya) costs $100 per person and is valid got 90 days.
• Multiple entry business visas cost $50 and are valid for one year.

Travelers are required to possess valid passports (valid for 6 months to date of travel) while applying for the Rwandan visa (of any category).

Kinyarwanda is the National language in Rwanda, while other official languages such as French, Swahili and English are widely spoken in the country.

About 85% of Rwanda’s 13, 640,585 population is Hutu, while 14% is Tutsi and only 1% is Twa and another 1% of other ethnic groups/people in Rwanda.

Heavy rains are experienced daily between the months of March and May as well as October and November. There is a Mediterranean type of vegetation along the shores of Lake Kivu and this is responsible for the sheer disparity in landscape, with the papyrus wetlands covering the Eastern boundary while the dense bamboo forests of Virunga Mountains occupy the northern parts of the country. The densely forested slopes of Virunga Volcanoes are home to the rare and endangered Mountain gorillas that are protected in Volcanoes National Park, also Rwanda’s most popular safari destination.

Akagera National Park is the only savannah-dominated National Park and only home to the big five game (Rhinos, lions, leopards, Cape buffaloes and African bush elephants), as well as the Masai giraffes, Grant’s zebras, Topis, Olive baboons, Roan antelopes, warthogs, impalas, Defassa waterbucks, Hippos, giant elands, Kobs, blue monkeys, duikers, bushbucks and others.

When you visit the extreme south-western side of Rwanda, you will be ushered to the montane forest- Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to about 80 mammal species that include 12 primate species such as chimpanzees, L’Hoests monkeys, blue monkeys, Angolan black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and many others as well as over 320 bird species, 23 of which are Albertine Rift endemics. Other must-visit safari destinations in Rwanda are the newly established Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Lake Kivu, Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, the City of Kigali and many others.