What you need to know on a Rwanda safari
What you need to know on a Rwanda safari
What you need to know on a Rwanda safari: Rwanda is a small landlocked country that has a big reception of travellers looking for a wild tour. Rwanda receives an average of 1.7 million visitors annually according to the Rwanda Development board, the governing body of the country. The research showed the visitors originating from mostly the United States of America, Australia, China, and Nigeria looking for tourism and leisure experience.
The big number of travellers is majorly supported by the safe, clean and seamless travel experience that Rwanda offers. The most sought-after tourism activities in Rwanda are the mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, the chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park, wildlife safaris in Akagera national park and the cultural tours in these parks. There are however a few basics that you will need to know as you plan to fly into the country.
The time zone of Rwanda is the Central Africa time which is +2 hours of the Greenwhich Meridian time. If you are having a flight into the country or out of the country, you will need to put this into consideration. Knowing the time zone will also help you plan your activities within the country and also time the perfect time to communicate with people back home or away from Rwanda.
The official language of Rwanda is Kinyarwanda that is widely spoken by the local people of the country however the business languages of the country are French and English which has catered for a great number of visitors to the country. Rwanda is a francophone country as French is widely known by the Rwandan people all over the country but also English is interpreted by a number of people.
The official currency of Rwanda is the franc; the Rwandan franc. 1 USD is equivalent to 992.78 Rwandan francs and 1 Euro is equivalent to 1,214.42 Rwandan francs. Rwandan francs are the widely used currency by the local traders however most hotels and tourism entities accept the use of the US Dollar. You can pay for your services in Rwanda by cash or opt to pay by credit card as most places have the point of sale system to ease payments of goods and services. Please note these POS systems have a percentage surcharge incurred on every transaction made. Rwandan francs can be welcomed at most of these tourism entities however services that are costed at a high USD charge, USD will be preferred such as paying for mountain gorilla permits or luxury hotel fees.
Most towns in Rwanda have adapted to the tourist’s presence and have set up a number of banks and ATM point to ease the transactions of the visitors. Any currency can be exchanged from the bank or one of the numerous forex bureau but you should not that they are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Tipping of service providers is much appreciated however, cash is the most acceptable form of tipping and tips depend from 5 USD to 20 USD per day or interaction with a service provider which is exactly What you need to know on a Rwanda safari.
The population of Rwanda according to the last census that was carried out estimated it to be at 13 million individuals. Rwanda covers a land area of 26,338 square kilometers which puts Rwanda as the most densely populated mainland African country. The population of Rwanda is majorly dominated by the youth and some elderly people. The population density of this country has still not limited the country on being Africa’s cleanest country.
If you have not booked a full time safari with a safari agent, you will need some basics on how to get your way around the country or into the country. A number of airlines land at the Kigali International airport like the Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish airlines, KLM, Ethiopian airlines and other African airlines like the national courier RwandAir and the neighboring Kenya airways. If you are interested in the flying safaris, you can book a tour with the Akagera aviation that offers 30 to 2 hour rides around the country.
Rwanda has a well-defined and established road network that connects most of the towns and the national parks so you can travel around the country by car. Be sure to hire or book with a tour operator who will provide 4X4 wheel drive safari vehicle. There is also an option of using taxis however, taxis operate in the bigger towns and have defined pick up and drop off points. There are also some buses in Kigali that have a smart card system called Tap&Go. You can also opt for the bike experience however, be sure to have personal insurance for this.
Most hotels have lifts and sliding entrances for the people with less abled bodies and also on most activities, there is an option of hiring a porter to carry you on the activity or a stretcher for the individuals confined to a wheelchair. In any case of any of these special needs, you are advised to communicate to us in advance to advice and plan together.
Rwanda is one of the African countries with good cell network and internet coverage so communication back home or within the country should not be a worry. You can buy local sim card on arrival at the airport if you feel it necessary as it will give you better coverage even in the remotest of places in the country. The main service provider in Rwanda is MTN and Tigo seconds it.
About Visas, Rwanda is one of the countries that accept issuing of visas to guests on arrival at the Kigali International airport. There are four different visas you can apply for in Rwanda that is the single entry visa that allows you entry into Rwanda for a period of 30 days and costs 50 USD, then there is a single entry conference visa that costs only 30 USD valid for 30 days which is given to guests coming to attend a conference in Rwanda. There is a multiple entry business visa that costs 50 USD and is valid for a year and is given to those individuals visiting the country for business purposes and finally the East African Tourist Visa that gives you access to Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda and costs 70 USD valid for 90 days. You can also apply online for this Rwanda visa. Get in touch and let us guide you.
Rwanda since 2008 banned the use of plastic bags and has since been free of plastic bags so if you have any plastic bag, you will definitely be stopped and asked to switch to a more reusable packaging upon entry of the country.
This has contributed to keeping of Rwanda clean on top of the monthly Umuganda ceremony where the Rwandan people leave their daily routines and come together to clean the streets on a voluntary note.
Rwanda is a hilly country and this has favored the cool climatic conditions of the region. The daily average temperature in Kigali is 21 degrees centigrade with two rainy seasons from mid-February to May and mid-september to mid-december with the dry season running from June to mid-september. Navigation through the parks is easier during the dry season therefore What you need to know on a Rwanda safari becomes easier.
