Travel Vaccines and Advice for Rwanda
Despite the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has a growing population and booming tourism trade.
The growing nation provides the opportunity to see mountain gorillas, bamboo forests and amazing volcanoes.
Rwanda is a must-visit for Africa-bound travellers.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Rwanda?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Rwanda?
What is the Climate Like in Rwanda?
How Safe is Rwanda?
Genocide Memorial in Rwanda
What Should I Pack To Rwanda?
Canadian Embassy in Rwanda
Do I Need Vaccines for Rwanda?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Rwanda. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Rwanda: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Recommended for minors and those with additional risk factors. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Polio –
Food & Water –
May be recommended for some regions. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Rwanda |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Rwanda |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Recommended for minors and those with additional risk factors. |
| Polio | Food & Water | May be recommended for some regions. Single adult booster recommended. |
Malaria is endemic in Rwanda. Antimalarials are the best protection against infection. Be sure to use mosquito repellents as a second barrier against the disease.
Medical facilities are common throughout Rwanda, with the best services provided in Kigali. Some medicines and prescriptions may be hard to find here.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Rwanda
“Good knowledge of Rwanda and what is required for travel there. Very professional.”
“The staff person at passport health that helped me was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and kind-hearted. I was extremely pleased with my visit, and was impressed with the staff member’s willingness to go the extra mile to make sure all my questions were answered about Rwanda and that I felt comfortable. Thank you!”
“My fiance and I had a really great experience at the Etobicoke Passport Health office. Our doctor was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable! She didn’t push anything on us and was there to answer any questions we had about Rwanda. The vaccinations I received were administered very gently to the point that I almost couldn’t tell the needle was in. All in all a very enjoyable experience and our doctor went above and beyond to make sure we will be well equipped for our travels.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Rwanda?
A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected departure date from the country. A visa is required for all business and tourism purposes. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days but if you plan on staying longer than that you must seek another class of visa before your visa expires. A business visa is valid for 90 days but may be extended once.
Rwanda Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Rwanda? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Rwanda and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required for entry.
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Rwanda?
Rwanda’s weather is tropical and doesn’t change much throughout the year. The temperature is usually warm, but it can be cooler in some areas due to the high altitude. The weather in Rwanda’s most popular tourist destinations varies slightly. Kigali has a temperate climate with two rainy seasons, from March to May and October to December.
Volcanoes National Park has cooler weather due to its high altitude and rainy seasons in March to May and October to November. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a rainforest with temperatures ranging from 10 to 25 degrees and rainy seasons from September to May. Lake Kivu is a popular tourist destination with a tropical climate, and temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees throughout the year.
It’s important to note that weather can be unpredictable, so it’s always good to check the forecast before going on a trip.
How Safe is Rwanda?
Travellers should be cautious around border areas. An armed militant group (The Democratic Forces of the Liberation of Rwanda) operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are near the border. Rape, pillaging and kidnapping can occur in the North and South Kivu provinces.
Also be cautious at Volcanoes National Park, for DRC militant groups also operate on the DRC border, though sometimes the borders are not marked.
The most common crimes that are reported are robbery. Don’t display cash, avoid walking at night, and drive with your doors and windows locked.
Genocide Memorial in Rwanda
In 1994, one million Tutsis and Hutus were murdered in the span of 100 days by the Interahamwe. A memorial to the victims of this genocide can is in the capital city of Kigali.
The memorial honors the 250,000 victims that were buried in a mass grave where the memorial is now placed. The memorial tells the history of colonization in Rwanda and the events that led up to the genocide. A particular section of the memorial is dedicated to the murdered children. The section showcases children’s stories using life-sized photographs and biographies of the children. The memorial also calls for justice through the court system.
This memorial not only remembers the genocide that occurred in Rwanda, but also takes a look at other genocides that have occurred throughout the world.
What Should I Pack for Rwanda?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Rwanda:
- Bring light layers of clothing. It can be hot during the day, but it can get cooler at night.
- Sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. Sunscreen is available here, but it may be quite expensive.
- Insect repellent and mosquito nets are important to have. Practice all precautions against mosquito bites to avoid malaria and zika.
- Comfortable walking shoes make exploring much easier. Roads can be muddy and uneven. Simple sandals won’t cut it.
Canadian Embassy in Rwanda
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Rwanda, the information for the Canadian consulate is:
Canadian Embassy Kigali
59, KN16 Ave, Kiyovu,
Kigali, Rwanda
Telephone: + 250 252 554 800
Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online now and start travelling safely today!
US – English
CA – English
UK – English
Rest of World – English
