VFA Information on Rwanda



Country Overview
Rwanda is a small mountainous country in central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Birunga volcanoes rise steeply from Lake Kivu in the west. The principal areas of interest are the Virunga Volcanoes, the Kagera National Park and the region around Lake Kivu. The capital city of Kigali is mainly a commercial and administrative centre. Kibungu, in the east of the country, is in the centre of a region of lakes and waterfalls that include Lake Mungesera and the Rusumo Falls. Further west is the Parc des Volcans, one of the last sanctuaries of the mountain gorilla. This region is composed of volcanic mountains, of which two, across the frontier in Democratic Republic of Congo, are still active. Apart from the many small bars, there is little in the way of nightlife. The Rwanda National Ballet is famous for its traditional dancing and singing and can be seen either at national ceremonies or sometimes on request in the villages.

General Information

Area: 26,338 sq km (10,169 sq miles).

Population: 7,235,000 (UN estimate 1999).

Population Density: 274.7 per sq km.

Capital: Kigali. Population: 233,640 (1991).

GEOGRAPHY: Rwanda is a small mountainous country in central Africa, bordered to the north by Uganda, to the east by Tanzania, to the south by Burundi and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country is divided by great peaks of up to 3000m (9842ft), which run across the country from north to south. The Virunga volcanoes, rising steeply from Lake Kivu in the west, slope down first to a hilly central plateau and further eastwards to an area of marshy lakes around the upper reaches of the A'Kagera River, where the A'Kagera National Park is situated.

Government: Republic since 1962. Gained independence from Belgium in 1962. Head of State: President Paul Kagame since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Bernard Makuza since 2000.

Language: The official languages are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Kiswahili is used for trade and commerce.

Religion: Animist (50 per cent), Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) and an Islamic minority.

Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications:  

Telephone

Country code: 250. There are no area codes. There is direct international dialling but this may be subject to occasional disruptions.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800 network. Network operators include MTN Rwandacell (website: www.mtnrwandacell.co.rw). Handsets can be hired.

Internet

ISPs include Rwandatel (website: www.rwanda1.com). There are currently a few Internet cafes in Kigali, although the number is increasing steadily.

Telegram

Facilities are available in Kigali and main hotels.

Post

In Kigali post offices are open Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700, Sat 0800-1200. Airmail to Western Europe takes approximately two weeks.

Press

There are English-language newspapers. Publications are also in French or Kinyarwanda and are fortnightly or quarterly.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.

Passport/Visa

  Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes No/1 Yes
USA Yes No/1 Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes


Restricted Entry: The Rwandan Government refuses admission and transit to nationals of Burundi without the proper entry documents.

PASSPORTS: Passports valid for at least six months required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of Canada, Germany, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the USA for stays of up to three months;
(b) nationals of China providing holding Hong Kong (SAR), China passports for stays of up to one month;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry/Multiple-entry: £50.

Note: Nationals of Mauritius, South Africa, Sweden and UK require visas but can obtain them free of charge.

Validity: Three months.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Two completed application forms. (d) Company letters or guarantee for business trips. (e) Fee payable by company certified cheque, postal order or cash.

Working days required: 24 hours.

Temporary residence: Visas can be extended at the Immigration Office in Kigali.

Duty Free

The following items may be imported into Rwanda by persons over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:
2 cartons of cigarettes and 2l of alcoholic beverages.

Note: Game trophies can only be exported with special permission of the Game Department.

Travel - Internal

AIR: Chartered planes are available, though these are expensive.

Departure tax: US$20.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There are three types of road: National Routes which are tarmaced, Provincial Routes which are in quite good condition and Local Routes which are not tarmaced and on which a four-by-four vehicle might be a bonus. Extra care should be taken at night, as taxis use full headlights. The network is generally sparse; the roads linking the capital with Butare, Bugarana and the frontier posts are, however, good. Driving is not recommended and visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution. Bus: Services are operated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and are classified into three groups: Urban (route numbers prefixed by A, B or C); Suburban (D routes); and Interurban. A timetable and tariff booklet is available in Rwanda. Taxi: Available in Kigali and other large towns. Fares should be agreed in advance. Tipping is not expected. Car hire: Limited facilities in Rwanda. There are no international car hire firms operating, but there are local companies in Kigali. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Climate

Despite its proximity to the Equator the climate in Rwanda is cooled by the high altitude. It is warm throughout most of the country but cooler in the mountains. There are two rainy seasons: mid-January to April and mid-October to mid-December.

Required clothing: Lightweights are required for most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler upland evenings. Rainwear is advisable.


Accommodation

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HOTELS: Found mostly in Kigali; they are expensive. There are some cheaper new hotels of reasonable standard. Missions with dormitory accommodation are also available, particularly in remote districts and smaller towns. Ruhengeri and Gisenyi mission station hotels are excellent.

GUEST-HOUSES: Outside the main towns there are guest-houses, which are generally cheaper than hotels. There is a solar-powered house at the edge of the A'Kagera National Park.

CAMPING: At present this is forbidden but facilities are being developed. Rest huts are available on the expedition route in the Virunga Volcanoes.