By Air

Rwanda's international airport (KGL) is located at Kanombe, 10km east of the city center. It is well connected to other major transport hubs in Africa, as well as a few other cities around the world (including Amsterdam, Brussels, Dubai, Istanbul, London and Tel Aviv). The national carrier since 2002, RwandAir, is one of the safest and fastest-growing airlines on the African continent. 

By Sea

Rwanda is landlocked so cannot be visited by sea. 

By Land

Rwanda shares land borders with Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda, with plenty of international road travel options including private taxis and buses.

Within Rwanda, public transport is efficient and reliable, with privately run buses covering the entire country. There is no rail network but a very good road network. Famously hilly, Rwanda is remarkably scenic, making road travel an excellent way to see a little more of the country.

Citizens of all countries are allowed to get visa upon arrival without prior application. Visitors wishing to stay longer than 30 days and/or enter the country more than once should contact at the Directorate General of Immigration and Immigration, the Rwandan embassy or their diplomatic mission for further guidance.

Visa exemptions: A reciprocal waiver policy is in place with a limited number of countries - please check with the Rwandan Directorate General of Emigration and Immigration for full details.

Diplomatic passport holders: Delegates holding a diplomatic passport, Service/official passport or AU/UN laissez-passer travelling for official duty are exempt from visa fees.

Visa fees: A small fee is payable upon issue, depending on visa type. Please note that not all border offices may be able to take credit card payments. 

Passport/ Travel document validity: All travelers must hold a valid passport or other acceptable travel document. The document must be valid for at least 6 months after the day of entry in Rwanda.

For further information on visas for Rwanda visit www.migration.gov.rw or download the Rwanda New Visa regime 2020 document.

Rwandan telecom providers:

• MTN
• Tigo/Airtel

Telecom providers also provide internet via GPRS, 3G and 4G. SIM cards are widely available. 

Every SIM card user/buyer in Rwanda is required by law to be registered prior to activation. SIM cards can be registered at the point of purchase and you will need your passport/travel documents and accommodation details.

The unit of currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation. Central bank rates can be found on the National Bank of Rwanda website www.bnr.rw

Bureau de Change branches (Forex Bureaus) are available at the airport and across Kigali.

Banking hours are 08:00-18:00 (weekdays) and 08:00-15:00 (Saturdays). Most banks have cash dispensing machines accepting Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus. Bureau de Change facilities are available across Kigali.

Most internationally recognized currencies and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at commercial banks, hotels and international airports. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

Temperatures: The average temperature in Kigali in March fluctuates between 15.7°C (60.3°F) and 26.9°C (80.4°F). Afternoons can be hot with average high temperatures reaching 27 °C (80.6 °F). Overnight temperatures are generally mild with an average low of 15 °C (59 °F). The weather in March is generally dry with some rain. Annual average temperatures for Rwanda range from 16-22 degree Celsius.

Rainfall: The country has a temperate climate, with two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January). In the month of March, the rain falls for an average of 15 days and regularly aggregates up to 114.2mm (4.5") of precipitation. 

The time in Rwanda is GMT+2.

In accordance with the East African Community Customs Management Act, some goods are considered prohibited or restricted for importation or exportation in Rwanda. 

Prohibited means the good shall not enter or leave the country in whatever situation, while restricted refers to quality or packaging standards or to other particular formalities or standards, as may be laid down by or in application of the Act on grounds of public morality, public policy or public health and life or humans, animals or plants, the protection of national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archeological value or the protection of industrial and commercial policy.

Find here a general list of prohibited and restricted goods as part of the East African Community Customs Management Act, and a more detailed list, subject to regular updates.