RWANDA TRAVEL
TIPS
Rwanda is a landlocked country located in East
Central Africa. It is bound by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east,
Burundi to the south, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) and Lake Kivu to
the west. The country is divided into six topographical regions from west to
east. (1.) The Great Rift Valley and Lake Kivu. (2.) The volcanic Virunga
Mountains and the high lava plains of the northwest. (3.) The Condo-Nile divide
and the central plateaux east of the mountains. (4.) The savannas and swamps of
the east and southeast. (5.) The central plain and (6.) the arid desert like
area of the southeast. The country's nine largest lakes are the Ruhondo, Muhazi,
Mugasera, Ihema, Rwanye, Burera, Rugwero, Cyohoha and Kivu while the principal
rivers are the Kagera, Ruzizi and the Nyabarongo with its tributaries. Few years
after the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has become a worthwhile and peaceful ecotourism
destination despite what some people still believe: the country has been rebuilt
and is a bustle of activity, the people are cheerful and friendly, the roads are
in good repair and safe, Rwanda is the country to enjoy mountain Gorilla tour
Rwanda Travel Rwanda tours
Local Culture:
Locals
are friendly and inviting, although many rural areas are without running water,
and a traditional way of life is followed in most areas. Understand that
genocide is a part of recent history, in 1994, and is still fresh in everyone’s
memory, so avoid the topic.
The principal ethnic group are the Hutu who
account for 90% of the population, followed by the Tutsi who account for 9%. The
smallest ethnic group are the Twa who are Pygmies and account for 1% of the
population. The ethnic alien groups include Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs and
Belgians.
RELIGION
The Christian religions are a powerful force in
Rwanda today, as witnessed by the great number of active churches throughout the
country. Roman Catholicism leads the field with 65% adherence, followed by
Protestantism 9%. Some evangelical sects are now gaining ground. There is a
small 1% Muslim population, leaving a 25% following for minority and traditional
beliefs, some of which may have absorbed traces of Christianity.
PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS
Good Friday and Easter Monday, which fall on variable dates, are
recognized in Rwanda. Other public holidays are :
1 January (New Year's Day);
1 February (National Heroes Day); 7 April (Genocide Memorial Day); 1 May (Labor
Day); 4 July (National Liberation Day); 15 August (Assumption Day); 1 October
(Patriotism Day); 25 December (Christmas Day), and 26 December(Boxing
Day).
CASH ON HAND
Credit cards have limited acceptance, and
although traveler’s checks and currencies can be exchanged at banks and exchange
booths, it is wise to keep a supply of currency on hand, as most businesses will
only take cash.
MONEY
The unit of currency is the Rwanda franc.
The US dollar is the hard currency of preference. It may be impossible to
exchange travelers' cheques away from the capital. Credit cards are usually only
accepted at the major hotels in Kigali.
WHEN TO VISIT
May to
November is generally the best time to visit, avoiding the long wet rainy
seasons. National Day, on July 1st, and the Harvest Festival, August 1st, are
the two biggest festivals in both cities and rural
villages.
CLIMATE
A combination of tropical location and high
altitude ensures that most of Rwanda has a temperate year-round climate.
Temperatures rarely stray above 30 degrees Celsius by day or below 15 degrees
Celsius at night throughout the year. The exceptions are the chilly upper slopes
of the Virunga Mountains, and the hot low-lying Tanzania border area protected
in Akagera National Park. Throughout the country, seasonal variations in
temperature are relatively insignificant. Most parts of the country receive in
excess of 1,000mm of precipitation annually, with the driest months being July
to September and the wettest February to May.
FOOD:
Local Rwandan
cuisine is based on local staples including fish, bananas, and rice or manioc.
Some dishes are Isombe, finely mashed leaves of the manioc plant, often served
with dried fish, bugali, manioc plant root ground into flour and cooked with
water into a porridge, and banana is brewed in some regions into
beer.
TIPPING:
Follow standard tipping rules and add a 10%
gratuity for good service. Taxi fares do not require an additional
tip.
COMMUNICATIONS
Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network
covering almost the entire country.
International phone calls can be made
easily. Appropriate SIM cards for the network are readily available everywhere,
even in remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major
shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size will have several Internet cafes and
computer centers.
GETTING AROUND
Rwanda has possibly the best
roads in East Africa. Most visitors who have booked through a tour company will
be provided with good private vehicles, usually 4-wheel drive. All of the major
centers are connected with local and luxury bus services. Air charter services
are available anywhere in the country.
GETTING THERE
All
International flights arriving in Kigali are with SN Brussels, Kenya Airways
Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and Rwandair Express.
All international
flights arrive at Kigali International Airport,10 Km from central
Kigali
There are two flights a day from Nairobi, two per week direct from
Brussels and two per week from Johannesburg
PASSPORT AND VISAS
A
valid passport is mandatory. Visas, required by all visitors except nationals of
the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong, cost USD 60
and can be bought upon arrival.