1. Money and Currency
- Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandese Franc (RWF): The Rwanda Franc is currently US$1 = RWF850. Notes are in denominations of RWF 500, 1,000, 2000, and 5000, while coins are RWF 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
- US dollars, Euro and British Pounds are the most commonly accepted international currencies.
- We only recommend change of money at banks, Forex Bureaus, hotels and lodges. US$ bills produced before 2006 are not accepted.
- ATM machines are limited to major city and may fail to dispense cash.
- Credit cards are usually accepted at a few major hotels in Kigali. (Credit cards are not a common medium of business transactions in Rwanda.)
- It is advisable to pay for your extra bills and check out the night before you depart from the hotels or lodges to avoid any unforeseeable delays in the morning.
2. Security
- Rwanda enjoys the best security in Africa, but clients must take the same precautions as they would anywhere else in the world.
- Make use of Taxis rather than walking around at night.
- Make use of the safety deposit facility provided by hotels and lodges.
- Never leave money and / or valuables in the vehicles or rooms unattended, keep them in a safe place.
3. Communication and Postage
- Rwanda has a good cell phone coverage. Local SIM cards are readily available in most town centers, and cell phones can be purchased in the major towns.
- International phone calls can be made easily though may be more expensive.
- Roaming mobile phone services are available, but subject to network fluctuation.
- Should there be any urgency back home while on safari, your Agent will contact our office and we will in turn transmit the information through our Driver Guides, and vice versa.
- Hotels and lodges mostly have internet connections.
- Rwandan postage system is very reliable but fairly slow.
4. Electricity
- Rwandan power supply is – 240 volts / 50 cycles – AC. Most plugs are French Type 2 pin round, and most lodges supply adaptors at reception for 3-pin equipment. This may require a small deposit. If there are no electric outlets in your room, the reception is happy to charge video camera accumulators for you.
- Many of the Hotels and lodges are connected to the main grid with standby diesel electric generators. Some lodges located away from the grid use diesel electric generators which do not run their 24hrs a day. If this is the case the reception will give a notice on the timings
- For those with video cameras you should have sufficient stock of batteries.
5. Safari Vehicle and Roads
- All our vehicles have been adapted for all type of terrain. They all have pop up or opening roofs so that clients may stand up to view and photograph animals better and easier. These are only opened in the parks and not on the open roads.
- Upon departure from each lodge please check that your entire luggage has been put in your vehicle. It is best to carry your hand luggage
- We request that clients do not stand on the seats in the vehicles. Upon departure from each lodge please check that your entire luggage has been put in your vehicle. It is best to carry your hand luggage
- Always be on time to avoiding driving in a rush.
6. Drinking Water
- We advise that you stick to bottled drinking water (mineral water). Bottled water is readily available for sale in the hotel and lodge restaurants.
- Primate Safaris supplies water in the vehicle on complimentary for use on the Safari and trekking.
- Ice in the lodges is made from filtered water and in moderation the quantity is not enough to upset stomachs.
7. Photography
- Rwanda is Photographers Paradise, featuring great scenery and magnificent landscapes.
- Carry plenty of film you may use more than you have estimated.
- Keep the lenses of your cameras shut as dust might affect them.
- Please be very careful about photographing the local people. Many of them get very upset about being photographed. If you want to photograph people ask your driver to request the people before photographing them.
- It is illegal to photograph any government officials in the line of their duties. The same goes for military bases, equipment, Embassies and airports ETC.
8. Conservation
- In tourism it is most important to conserve our wildlife and its habitat. Without the income generated from tourists, conservation would not be possible.
- It is also important that while making a considerable contribution to conservation by coming on safari you do not detriment it.
- Do not feed any wildlife of any description. You are not doing them a favour.
- Do not dispose of any litter, keep it in our vehicles until you find a suitable bin
- While game viewing, keep the noise level to a minimum
- Do not collect any natural objects as souvenirs. Collecting Trophies is illegal
- In all game parks and reserves, vehicle movement is not permitted between 06.30 pm and 06.00 am (night game drives are allowed in Akagera on special arrangements)
- While watching and photographing game it is not permitted to approach too close
- Harassment of wildlife in any form is strictly illegal
- Please do not ask your driver to break the rules, he could be arrested and his vehicle impounded.
9. Medical
- Rwanda’s height above sea level is relatively high and malaria is not a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. It’s highly recommended that you visit your doctors at least a month before travel.
- Malarial precautions vary for each individual country. It is important to note that vaccination requirements do change from time to time and we recommend you consult your local G.P. for the latest health precautions.
- The client’s doctor, health department or embassy in your country of origin are in a position to advise on vaccinations and anti-malarial requirements.
- It’s important to keep taking your anti-malarial on a regular basis even after your return home (as per Doctor’s advice)
- All hotels, camps and lodges situated in mosquito prevalent areas supply mosquito nets over the beds. Please make use of them
- A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required.
10. Curios and Souvenirs
- While visiting the different areas in Rwanda your Driver Guides can recommend curio shops, where traditional souvenirs are on sale. Ask your drivers about what to where to buy and always remember to bargain.
- While in Kigali there are a number of shops to buy souvenirs from.
11. Food
- Fresh salads is safe and hygienic and is prepared to internationally acceptable standards.
- Food in restaurants and hotels is professionally prepared and is safe for consumption.
12. Tipping
- Tipping is entirely up to the client and his appreciation of good service. It is definitely not compulsory. • However, being in a different country clients expect to have guidelines to work on.
- We usually recommend that there are three categories of staff members to tip; your Driver Guide, Gorilla/Chimp Guide, Gorilla/Chimp tracker and the Hotel / Lodge staff.
- GUIDES Driver Guide & Gorilla / Chimp Guide – We recommend US$10 per guest per day if the guide has surpassed your expectations.
- If you have a Specialist Guide who accompanies you all the way, this could increase to US$15 per guest per day.
- Gorilla / Chimp tracker – We recommend US$5 per guest per day if the Tracker has surpassed your expectations.
- Porters –US$ ½(half) per piece of bag.
- Trekking Porters charge a fee of US$10 per person.
- Waiters – For drinks waiters, normally we recommend 10% of consumption.
- Meals we recommend US$2.00 per person per meal or if service exceptional 10%.
Remember this is only a guideline and it entirely depends on the service and the client’s wishes.
13. Chimps / Gorilla Guidelines
- Once inside the forest, the following must be observed:
- No spitting in the park
- No littering in the park
- No coughing in the direction of the gorillas
- Only speak in whispers
- Do not point at the gorillas
- Movements around the gorillas must be unthreatening
- No venturing behind thick shrubs. You may surprise a gorilla.
- If a nettle stings you, do not cry out, scream, shout-out loud or make any sudden moves.
- If a gorilla charges or vocalizes, do not look directly at it. Stand perfectly still unless the guide asks you to crouch or move back.
- Keep a minimum distance of 7 meters from the Gorillas.
14. Essentials for Hiking
- Long pants (jeans/khakis) and a long-sleeved shirt
- Good well-worn hiking boots
- Light raincoat
- Leather gloves (there are stinging nettles in the park)
- Cap/Hat
- Camera (no flash)/ personal camcorder
- Plenty of drinking water
- Basic first Aid Kit
- Med Plaster
15. General Clothing
- Safaris are informal and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate.
- A hat and a pair of sunglasses are advisable for protection against the sun
- Laundry can be done at most lodges, but please make sure you hand in your laundry requirement at least a day before departure. Note: express laundry facilities might not be available in all hotels/lodges. • Light comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots are recommended
- Be prepared for cool evenings at higher altitudes of Virunga Mountains and Nyungwe, where you may need a sweater and trousers/jeans.
16. Climate
- Rwanda’s relatively high altitude provides it with a remarkably pleasant tropical highland climate, albeit also with plenty of rain.
- Rwanda’s long rainy season lasts from March to May, when the rain is heavy and persistent. Then from June to mid-September is the long dry season; October to November is a shorter rainy season and it’s followed by a short dry season from December to February.
- Temperatures vary considerably between locations depending on their altitude, but very little from month to month in the same place. In the capital, Kigali, the average daily temperature is about 21°C.
- Virunga’s high altitude occasionally brings light rain showers even in the dry season.
- There are lots of water masses (Lakes & Rivers) and therefore high humidity in generally the whole country.
Questions?
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Holiday in Rwanda
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