Travel Vaccines and Advice for Rwanda

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Rwanda. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Rwanda: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis and tetanus.

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.

Visas are required for all travellers to Rwanda. On arrival visas are available for tourists, other travellers must apply before travel. Passports should be valid for at least six months from the point of entry. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you are travelling from a region where yellow fever is present.

Rwanda Entry Requirements
Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Rwanda?
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Rwanda and GOV.UK

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 20 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.

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 motor with your doors and windows locked.

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 honours 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.

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.
• Sun cream to protect your skin from the sun. Sun cream 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.

If you are in Rwanda and have an emergency (for example, been attacked, arrested or someone has died) contact the nearest consular services. Contact the embassy before arrival if you have additional questions on entry requirements, safety concerns or are in need of assistance.

British High Commission Kigali
KG 7 Ave
Kacyiru-Sud
Kigali
Kigali
BP 576
Rwanda
Telephone: +250 252 556 000 or +44 1908 516666
Emergency Phone: +250 252 556 000
Fax: +250 252 582 044
Email: BHC.Kigali@fco.gov.uk

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