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 ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens do not need Visas for entry into Rwanda. However please be sure
your passport if valid for 6 months after your intended departure and that you have plenty of blank
visa pages. You will need a yellow fever vaccine. See Health Information.
HEALTH INFORMATION: The only inoculation that is 100% required is yellow fever. You
must provide your yellow vaccination certificate when you enter the country. Strongly recommended
are: anti-malarial medication and Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. Your vaccinations such as
tetanus should be current. Please check
www.cdc.gov, your doctor or a travel clinic. Your county
health department may have a travel clinic or may be able to provide you inoculations at a cost
significantly lower than private travel clinic.
MONEY: After clearing customs and before departing the terminal, you will have the
opportunity to change money. Please do so since it may be difficult to at a later time. Bring bills
in good condition and dated 2003 or newer. You will need approximately $50.00 per day for your
incidentals. This depends on the amount of beverages you purchase and how much shopping you
like to do. Ask for small bills because it is often difficult for the merchants to make change.
There are approximately 550 Rwandan Francs to $1.00USD. Traveler’s checks are almost useless in
the bush however it is not a bad idea to tuck a couple away for an emergency. Surcharges may be
added to your bill at lodges and hotels that accept credit card.
TIPPING: This is completely up to the discretion of travelers. Below are guidelines.
- The porter for your bags = $1.00 per person.
- Driver/Guides = $10.00 per person/day - (Minimum of $20.00 to $30.00)
- Restaurants =3 to 5% of bill. - Even when restaurant meals are included it is a kind gesture to leave a little something.
- Gorilla Guide = $10.00 to $20.00
- Gorilla Tracker = $5.00 to $10.00
- Gorilla Porter = $ 5.00 to $10.00 depending on how much help is provided.
- Camp Staff = $5.00 to $10.00 per day depending on service and size of staff.
- Bellhop = $1.00 per bag.
As always, if anyone does a special service for you, a little tip is always appreciated. You can tip your drivers in USD, as well as the ORTPN trackers and guides but small tips and tips to locals should be handled in the local currency since it is often difficult to change money for small quantities and especially in the rural areas. The large tip for the lodge staff can also be in USD.
CLIMATE: The temperatures in Ruhengeri range from the high in the low 70’s to the low of around 50. This is “Gorillas in the Mist” territory and the climate is often cool and damp. Kigali is 10 degrees warmer. However fronts do come through. Historically the dry seasons are from the first of June to October and mid December to mid February. However, it can rain anytime.
ALTITUDE: Kigali is at about 5000 feet above sea level. Musanze (Ruhengeri) is at about 6000 feet above sea level. Kinigi, where park headquarters are, lies at 7200 above sea level. Gorillas are trekked up to 8200 to 9800 feet above sea level.
PHOTOGRAPY: Flash photography is not allowed during your time with the gorillas. You will need fast film – 400 ASA or faster. If you use a digital camera, please familiarize yourself on how to set the ISO setting. In most cases a 135mm lens will be adequate. Video cameras are allowed. You will be able to re-charge batteries at your hotel. Please bring the appropriate converters. Bring extra batteries for digital and SLR cameras.
DRINKING WATER: Bottled water is readily available in the vehicles and at the hotels and camps at nominal or no cost. Don’t drink the tap water even for brushing your teeth. At one time it was suggested that you give your empty water to the children but now it is thought that it encourages begging. If you want to, you can accumulate them and give them to your driver or the lodge staff. They will see to it that the children get them.
GIFTS TO TAKE: Following are some suggestions: T-shirts (especially ones for small children), baseball caps, writing paper, batteries – all sizes, flip-flops, clothing items for warmth, blankets, first aid items, and used children clothes in good condition.
ITEMS NEEDED IN SCHOOLS: Following are some suggestions: T-shirts (especially ones
for small children), baseball caps, writing paper, batteries – all sizes, flip-flops, clothing
items for warmth, blankets, first aid items, and used children clothes in good condition.
MISCELLANEOUS HINTS
- I find neck pillows an absolute necessity when traveling on long flights. They make it possible for you to sleep on the plane and during any long drives you may have during your tour.
- Be careful of what you eat. “You should avoid possibly contaminated food, particularly seafood, unwashed vegetables, and fruits that are already peeled when they are served. In warm, tropical settings, also exercise caution in eating foods that can spoil from lack or proper refrigeration (such as salads containing mayonnaise, cream-filled pastries, heavy cream, and dairy products)”. I am particularly wary of dairy products and always verify that they are pasteurized.
- In Kigali, there is a new Crafts Market, which you can visit and where you can purchase items to bring home. Also good is Rwandan tea either in loose form or tea bags. It is delicious.
- If you use a washcloth, pack one and a plastic bag to store it. Take your own soap.
- Best Bird Book for the region – Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe. Available at
Amazon.com
- Other books: The Bradt Guides for Rwanda by Janice Booth and Philip Briggs is an excellent reference. It has an
excellent chapter on the history of Rwanda. Also the Lonely Planet Guide to East Africa has good background information.
And, if you haven’t seen it, rent the movie Hotel Rwanda.
- What I didn’t pack that I missed most – A pair of sports sandals, a small French/English Dictionary, and a little book
light for reading in bed.
- Departure tax should be included in your ticket but just in case, hold back a $20.00 bill.
Click here for suggestions on a Safari
Packing List.
Note that the town Ruhengeri has been named Musanze. I refer to it both ways.
This information is fluid and I will often send updates.
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