Experience Safari to Rwanda

Drawing on almost a decade of experience, we’re excited to offer unique and personalized insights for your Rwanda safari. Here, we answer your top questions about important safari tips – follow these guidelines for a safe and rewarding experience:

Currency in Rwanda: The currency used in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc (RWF).

Time Zone: Rwanda is in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT), which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 hours.

Credit Cards: MasterCard and Visa are generally accepted in Rwanda, including Wilderness destinations. American Express and Diners Club cards are not accepted at Wilderness properties.

Power Sockets: At Bisate, there are 220V plug points (multi-plug adaptor charging facilities, including USB) for charging devices. Magashi is 100% solar powered with 230V multi-plug adaptor charging facilities.

Packing for Safari: Check for luggage restrictions. Dress conservatively, especially for women. Pack warm clothing for cooler months and light clothing for summer. Avoid bright colors and white on safari.

Weather: Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate. Kigali’s daily temperatures range from 12°C to 27°C, with minimal variation. The north-west (Bisate area) is generally cooler.

Gorilla Trekking Attire: Pack warm, protective clothing, comfortable hiking boots, a hat, and a lightweight parka or raincoat.

Location: Rwanda is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Republic of Congo.

Best Time to Visit: Gorilla trekking is year-round at Volcanoes National Park. Dry seasons in Akagera National Park offer great wildlife sightings.

Food: Enjoy traditional dishes like Liboke, Sambaza, coconut fish, and Kachumbari in our camps.

Attractions: Explore Rwanda’s biodiversity, iconic wildlife, volcanoes, rainforests, and plains. Experience gorilla and golden monkey trekking, visit Kigali, and discover other national parks and volcanic lakes, including Lake Kivu.

Why Visit Rwanda: Explore mountain gorillas, East African safari encounters, culture, and luxury camps in Rwanda’s stunning regions.

Culture: Rwanda comprises ethnic groups like Hutu, Tutsi, and Pygmy Twa.

Meaning of Rwanda: The name “Rwanda” comes from a local Kinyarwanda verb meaning “expansion.”

Places to See: Discover Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park for gorilla and golden monkey trekking, Kigali, natural forests, and Lake Kivu.

Visa Requirements: a visa is required to travel to Rwanda. Tourist visas are typically free for citizens of the Commonwealth, African Union, and Francophone countries, and they can often be obtained upon arrival.

Gorilla Trekking Permits: you need to acquire a permit to experience gorilla trekking in Rwanda. It’s recommended to secure your permits before your arrival. Bush 2 City Adventure Rwanda assists with this process, in collaboration with your Travel Designer. The permits play a vital role in conservation efforts and contribute to the well-being of local communities around Volcanoes National Park.

Your Travel Designer can offer details about various permit options, which may include standard, discounted, or private gorilla trekking permits.

OVID Protocols: Our approach to COVID aligns with the latest guidance from reputable sources like the World Health Organization. Please consult your Travel Designer for the most up-to-date travel advisories and COVID requirements before your Botswana trip.

Yellow Fever Vaccination: Rwanda doesn’t demand a yellow fever vaccination. However, if you’re also visiting Kenya and Uganda, yellow fever inoculation might be necessary. Confirm this with your travel clinic and Travel Designer prior to your trip.

Malaria Medication: While Bisate’s location isn’t in a malaria-risk area, other parts of Rwanda, like Magashi in Akagera National Park, pose a risk. We suggest discussing malaria prevention with your medical professional or travel clinic. Plan ahead, as certain medications need to begin before arriving in Rwanda.