Rwanda travel information
Guide:
- Rwanda Travel Guide
- The Basics
- Health
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- Climate
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Time: Local time is GMT +2.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin attachment plugs are the most commonly used.
Language: Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages. French is widely spoken, but English is limited to a few people in the tourist centres.
Health: There is a year-round risk of malaria throughout the country and travellers are advised to take a course of prophylactics. A yellow fever certificate is required by all visitors and inoculation is also recommended. Other health risks include meningitis and cholera. Bottled drinking water is available in all towns. Medical facilities are limited and medical supplies may be unavailable, although hospitals are located in all major towns. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.
Tipping: Some small change left at restaurants will be appreciated. Guides on gorilla treks expect to be well tipped; amounts vary, but 10% is common.
Safety: Crime levels are relatively low, although tourists should be alert to bag snatching and incidents of petty theft. Travel to the border areas with Burundi and the DRC is not advised; trips to see the gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park should only be undertaken as part of a guided trek.
Customs: Photography of government buildings is prohibited. Plastic bags have been banned for environmental reasons and will be confiscated on arrival at the airport. It is considered impolite to ask someone about their ethnic origin.
Business: A handshake is the normal form of greeting. A knowledge of French is useful as English is not widely spoken; interpreters may be required. Lightweight suits are suitable attire for meetings, which need to be arranged in advance.
Communications: The international dialling code for Rwanda is +250. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes are not required. There is an excellent cell phone network covering most of the country, and cell phones can be rented in Kigali. Internet cafes and computer centres are located in most major towns.
Duty Free: Passengers older than 16 years may bring two cartons of cigarettes and two litres of alcohol into the country without incurring import duties.