Rwanda

Rwandan Franc (RWF)

Yes, MasterCard and Visa are usually accepted throughout Rwanda, including Wilderness destinations. Unfortunately we are unable to accept American Express and Diners Club cards at our Wilderness properties.

At Bisate, electricity is provided from the national power grid and supported by a back-up generator power system. Each Forest Villa has 220V plug points (multi-plug adaptor charging facilities, including USB) for charging mobile devices, batteries and for the use of sleep apnoea machines. 

Magashi is 100% solar powered with a generator back-up for emergencies. Geysers are solar powered. Multi-plug adaptor charging facilities (230V) for mobile devices with USB ports, charging facilities (available on request and prior notice essential) for the use of sleep apnoea machines. 

There may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your journey – so please check the details with your Travel Designer. While Rwanda has no strict dress code, women travellers are advised to dress conservatively. Warm clothing is recommended for the cooler months, and light clothing for summer. Bright colours and white are not advisable on safari.

Rwanda has a lovely temperate tropical highland climate. Thanks to its high elevation, it experiences lower temperatures than one would expect for an equatorial country. Kigali's daily temperatures range from 12°C to 27°C, with very little variation throughout the year. The mountainous north-west, where Bisate is situated, is generally cooler than the lower-lying east.

The forests tend to be rainy and wet so we suggest you pack warm, protective clothing and comfortable walking/hiking boots. Also a hat and lightweight parka or raincoat. 

Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in East-Central Africa. It is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Republic of Congo.

This depends on where you would like to go and the wildlife you’d like to see. Gorilla trekking takes place all year round at Volcanoes National Park. In Akagera National Park, the drier seasons offer great sightings of the wildlife gathering to drink at water sources.

Among many delicious traditional dishes, Liboke (chicken cooked and served in banana leaves), Sambaza (fried, spicy fish served with spiced ginger rice), coconut fish and Kachumbari (a traditional tomato and onion salad) are served in our camps. 

Rwanda is famous for its mountain gorillas, birdwatching, classic East African safari encounters, cultural experiences, hiking, and our award-winning luxury camps. All set in exclusive, breath-taking regions of Rwanda, ideal for discovering the country’s iconic wildlife.

There are many cultural groups that make up the Republic of Rwanda. However, the three most distinct ethnic groups are the Hutu, Tutsi and Pygmy Twa.

There name ‘Rwanda’ is derived from a local Kinyarwanda verb, which means ‘expansion.’

Rwanda is a land of staggering beauty with extraordinary biodiversity, iconic wildlife, volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains. Discover our areas by boat or 4x4 vehicle in Akagera National Park. Gorilla trekking is a must-do, as well as golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Besides the rich wildlife, you can also explore Kigali, the bustling capital city, alive with tradition and culture. The country has many other exceptional national parks, natural forests and volcanic lakes, including Lake Kivu, one of Africa's Great Lakes. 

Yes, you need a visa to enter Rwanda. Thirty-day tourist visas are free and available on arrival for citizens of member states of the Commonwealth, as well as for those of the African Union and the Francophone countries.

Yes, as advised by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), please get your permits before you arrive. The process is facilitated by our Wilderness Rwanda Travel Shop & Touring, and your Travel Designer. The reason for the permits is to ensure the sustainability of the conservation initiatives in place, and to further help the development of communities living around Volcanoes National Park.

Your Travel Designer can also advise on the options and costs of a standard gorilla trekking permit, a possible discounted permit or a private gorilla trekking permit.

We address all concerns surrounding COVID in line with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization and other leading authorities. Please chat to your Travel Designer for the latest travel advisory updates, to ensure that you are prepared for all COVID travel requirements in Botswana before your departure.

Yellow fever vaccination is not a requirement when visiting Rwanda.  However, one of Rwanda’s entry requirements states that if you also travel to Kenya and Uganda, you need to be inoculated for yellow fever. Again, please make sure to check with your travel clinic and Travel Designer before your holiday.

While Bisate’s elevation means that it is not located in a malaria-risk area, other regions in Rwanda that you may pass through do carry a risk, including Magashi in Akagera National Park. We advise our guests to check with their medical practitioner/travel clinic regarding malaria prevention. Please be sure to do this several weeks prior to departure, as some courses of medication need to be started in advance of your arrival in Rwanda.