Rwanda Travel Guide: Land of 1000 Hills

Rwanda is considered a safe country for travelers and is known for its friendly and welcoming people. The country has made significant efforts to improve safety and security since the 1994 genocide, and crime rates are low compared to other countries in the region. However, as with any destination, it's important to take standard safety precautions, such as being aware of your surroundings and avoiding walking alone at night. It's also important to be aware of the local customs and laws and to respect them. With the proper precautions and common sense, travelers can enjoy a safe and comfortable trip to Rwanda.

Most travelers visiting Rwanda require a visa to travel to Rwanda and a valid passport. You can obtain a via on arrival at Kigali International Airport or at any Rwanda border post payable in US dollars or other major currencies. Visa on arrival can be paid in cash or by credit card. It's also possible to apply for a Rwanda e-visa online through the Rwanda e-Visa website. This is the only authentic Visa Application Portal for Rwanda. Avoid other (fraudulent) portals where you’ll pay much more for your visa! This allows you to apply for a visa before you travel, and you will receive an electronic visa, which you can print and present at the border. The fee for the Rwanda visa is $50 for a single-entry visa valid for 30 days, and $70 for a multiple entry visa valid for 90 days. Travelers should have a return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for their stay in Rwanda. It is advisable to check the Rwanda Immigration website for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and fees, as they may change without notice.

Rwanda has been actively promoting responsible tourism practices in recent years in order to sustain its natural and cultural heritage, as well as to improve the livelihoods of local communities. Examples are community-based tourism giving visitors the possibility to stay with local families to experience the local culture and way of life, volunteer opportunities to work on conservation and community development projects that allows visitors to make a positive impact on local communities.

In order to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, Rwanda has been promoting the use of sustainable transportation options, such as electric bikes and bicycles. Visitors can also choose to use public transportation to get around. To boost the local economy and improve livelihoods of local people visitors can choose to eat at locally-owned restaurants, stay in locally-owned accommodations, and buy locally-made products.

The Rwanda Development Board has implemented a strict low impact and ecotourism guidelines for visitors to minimize the negative impact on gorillas, chimpanzees and their habitat. 

Required vaccinations for Rwanda your individual health and travel plans. However, most travelers to Rwanda require Hepatitis A and routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Sometimes it's also advised to take Typhoid and Rabies. A Yellow Fever vaccination is required if you arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is needed for entry into Rwanda. Without this, you can't get a visa for Rwanda. Malaria is a moderate-risk in Rwanda, especially in the rural areas. Take preventive measures such as mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep under a mosquito net. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider or a travel medicine clinic before your trip to Rwanda, to know about the specific vaccinations you need.

Rwanda is a multilingual country, with several languages spoken by its diverse population. The official languages of Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French, and English. Kinyarwanda is the most widely spoken language in Rwanda, spoken by the majority of the population. French is also widely spoken in Rwanda, as it was the official language during the colonial period. It is still used in government, education, and media. English became the third official language after Rwanda's government decided to transition from French to English as the medium of instruction in schools and universities. There are also several other languages spoken, including Swahili, which is spoken by a small minority of the population, as well as various local dialects. Rwanda's official language policy encourages the use of Kinyarwanda and aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.