Rwanda Sightseeing Places

By | July 5, 2020

Visa requirements

Passport: is generally required for trips to Rwanda, the passport must be valid for 6 months upon entry.

Visa: Generally required.

Visa on entry: Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa free of charge on entry: Federal Republic of Germany, Great Britain and Sweden for stays of up to 90 days.

Transit: Transit travelers who fly on to the next connection and do not leave the transit area do not need a transit visa.

Validity period: up to 3 months; Visas can be extended at the immigration authorities in Kigali. Exceeding the permissible length of stay of a visa can be fined and lead to delays in the departure.

Application: In person or by post at the consulate or at the consular section of the embassy (see Rwanda – important addresses).

Documents for travelers who need a visa for Rwanda: Tourist Visa: passport still valid for at least 6 months – 2 passport photos (no scans) – 2 originally filled out application forms (no copy, no fax) – travel booking confirmation – fee (checks are not accepted)

Business Visa: additional company letter from the company in Germany with information on the duration and purpose of the business trip, including confirmation of the cost assumption.

A postage-paid envelope is required for applications by post.

Visa costs: Both tourist and business visas cost EUR 40.00 for single entry and EUR 45.00 for multiple entry. With a transfer, additional fees of 5.20 euros are required.

Processing time: about a week

Entry with children:

Germany: German ID card or own passport (children’s passport or electronic passport). For children over 10 years of age, entry with a separate passport is recommended.
Austrians: own passport for children.
Swiss: own passport for children.

The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents.

Vaccinations: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers over the age of one.

Rwanda Sightseeing Places

Money

National currency: 1 Rwanda franc corresponds to 100 centimes.

Currency abbreviation: FRW, RWF – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG

There are banknotes worth 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100 FRW, coins in the nominal amounts 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 FRW, but these are no longer used.

Currency exchange: It is possible to exchange cash in local currency. Taking the Euro or US Dollar is recommended because other currencies in Rwanda have poorer exchange rates. Cash should only be changed in banks, hotels or foreign exchange offices.

Exchange rate for Rwanda Franc:

Currency converter at OANDA

Credit Cards: Payments with common cards are only accepted in a few hotels and restaurants in the capital.

ATMs: there are in Kigali, but international cards are often not accepted.

Traveler’s checks: It is possible to exchange travelers’ checks for cash, but it is time-consuming and involves high fees. They can only be exchanged at the Banque de Kigali in the capital. Traveler’s checks should preferably be in US dollars.

Foreign exchange regulations: The import of the local currency and foreign currencies is subject to declaration from an amount equivalent to 100 US $. The export of the national currency and foreign currencies is subject to declaration.

Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 12.30pm and 2.00pm – 5.00pm, Sat 8.30am – 11.30am.

Health and Diseases

The health service of the Foreign Ministry recommends as sensible vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months also hepatitis B. With special exposure (stay in the country, hunting, jogging, etc.) vaccination against rabies and typhoid, also meningococcal meningitis A and C can be very useful. The decision is made in a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers over the age of one. This does not apply to transit passengers who do not leave the airport in Rwanda.
Regardless of the official regulations, all travelers are recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever.

HIV / AIDS is a major problem in the country and a great danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a considerable, life-threatening risk.

Hygienic eating and drinking (only boiled, nothing warmed up) and consistent mosquito protection (repellents, mosquito net, covering clothing, behavior) can prevent most, sometimes dangerous, diarrhea and many infectious diseases. This includes dengue fever and malaria.

Rwanda Landmarks

Various prescription drugs (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market for malaria prophylaxis. The predominant, more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum is said to be highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine / pyrimethamine. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis. Please also note the other information provided by the Federal Foreign Office’s health service.

Medical care in the country cannot be compared to Europe and is often technically, apparatusally and / or hygienically highly problematic. European-trained, English / French-speaking doctors are also often lacking. Adequate, valid health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are strongly recommended.

The greatest risk of infection is intestinal infections, which are caused by contaminated food or drinks. Therefore, careful food and drinking water hygiene measures should always be carried out. In general, water should either be boiled or otherwise sterilized prior to use for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes. Milk is not pasteurized outside of urban areas and should also be boiled. Avoid dairy products from uncooked milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be cooked well and served hot. Avoid eating pork, raw salads and mayonnaise. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.