Travel Guide Rwanda‎

Climate

Rwanda is located a little below the Equator and enjoys the tropical climate, lying just below the  Equator presents an awesome weather for all visitors all year around, In The south, combined with high altitude ensure a pleasant, temperate year-round climate. Temperatures therefore hardly vary throughout the season, with an average of 25°C during the day and slightly cooler at night.

However it is a little Cooler in the Northern parts of Rwanda around the virunga volcaanoes with higher altitudes.  The climate in the southern Rwanda which range between 13 in the most cold and 28 in the hottest. In the northern you could experince about 10 degress to maximum.

The Long rainy season which are also the low seasons takes place from March till June and there is a short rainy season around October-November and a little of December.

Best time to visit

Rwanda is arguably perfectly be visited during all seasons and throughout the Year while the weather is perfect all year around. Please keep in mind though that July and August are peak season for tracking the mountain gorillas in the virungas and therefore gorilla permits are more difficult to obtain as well. The Dry season months are also good to visit for wildlife viewing as the grass is short and animals are easier to find in the Akagera National Park. Gorilla trekking is also rewarding in the dry season as the terrain is manageable for both cars and trekking experience.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Malaria is the biggest health threat in Rwanda, mostly the type brought by mosquitoes so be vigilant about taking anti-malaria and applying bugs spray. Advised to Consult with your doctor or travel clinic before leaving home for up-to-date anti-malarial medication. .

Yellow Fever Vaccine is required for entry into Rwanda. Please make sure you obtain this vaccination at least 14 days prior to arriving in Rwanda. You must carry with you the Immunization card that you are given when you get the vaccine. Visitors unable to show proof of vaccination will most likely be refused entry but it may be possible to be vaccinated on arrival at a cost of approx. US $ 50 per person or more.

The International Society of Travel Medicine’s website (www.istm.org) contains the list of travel clinics worldwide where you can go get the Yellow Fever vaccine.

It’s imperative to use strong sunscreen: Stick to bottled water and ensure that the bottle seal is unbroken. taking plenty of fluids and water will help your body to keep moist. Put your personal medications in your carry-on baggage and bring copies of prescriptions.

Visa

A Tourist visa to Rwanda is $50. A signed, valid passport and a tourist visa. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip.

Tourist visas for Rwanda can only be purchased on arrival or by applying in advance through a visa processing service. While there are additional costs involved in using these services, we encourage you to obtain your visa ahead of time, as long lines can be common.

If you are planning to combine Rwanda with a visit to Uganda and Kenya only, it is recommendable to request for the East African Tourist Visa. This special tourist visa costs US $100 per person and allows 90 days multiple entry to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. Regretfully, Tanzania is not (yet) a member of the East African community and therefore not part of this arrangement.

Language

Rwanda’s  national language is kinyarwanda, but also Swahili and French are widely spoken and heard throughout the country.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is strongly advised that every client purchase a trip insurance. You can contact any trip insurance company that you choose, and they can answer any questions that you might have regarding the insurance they offer, what is covered and what options would be best suited for your trip. Most of the insurance polices in Rwanda cover the car and third parties, in case of any thing you should carry your own insurance for travel to be on a safe side.

MONEY MATTERS

Rwanda’s  unit of currency is the Rwanda Francs.

The country has a cash-based economy. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Major credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis, mainly only in the largest shops, hotels and lodges. ATMs are available in larger city across the country, but less frequent in remote areas and national parks.

Exchange money only at authorized outlets such as currency forex bureus, banks and hotels. Only exchange what you feel you will need while visiting. Save all receipts from any currency transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency.

We suggest traveling with some U.S. dollars to be exchanged for local currency and at least two major credit cards. Because of Uganda’s cash-based economy, we suggest you bring enough cash in USD $ (in smaller denominations), to finance your gratuities, purchases and other incidentals.

Kindly do not bring US dollars notes post dated 2009 Older , written on and torn notes are not accepted in Rwanda. Most large hotels accept U.S dollars. Euros and Uganda shillings and take all major credit cards at a surcharge of 10%.-30%

Bargaining, especially at marketplaces, is part of the shopping experience. But always be aware of the exchange rate and pay appropriately—you do not want to underpay, but you also do not want to be charged exorbitant “tourist” prices.

SAFARI GUIDE

Your Gorilla Walking Safari Guide/driver is complete with experience, information and knowledge of all the areas that you will travel to. Be sure to ask them lots of questions and feel free to chat with them about anything regarding your safari.

Tipping In Rwanda

There is no tipping culture in Rwanda. Tipping in Rwanda depends entirely on your level of satisfaction, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider USD10 – 15 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in upmarket hotels.

Climate

kenya tropical location, lying on the  Equator just like Uganda presents an awesome weather for all visitors all year around, Kenya is relatively high and alittle warmer in the northern parts while the southern is averagely as uganda including the famous masai maraa, combined with high altitude ensure a pleasant, temperate year-round climate. Temperatures therefore hardly vary throughout the season, with an average of 26°C during the day and slightly cooler at night.

However it is a little Cooler in the southern parts of Kenya and hotter in the northern parts.  The climate in the southern Kenya which is also the desert related climate includes the turkana areas and northern national park areas rangeing between 18 in the most cold and 40 in the hottest. In the northern you could experience about 45 degress to maximum which is more far north though.

The Long rainy season takes place from March till June and there is a Relatively short rainy season around October-November and a little of December. Jan and feb is dry than most months of the Year.

Best time to visit

Kenya can perfectly be visited during all seasons and throughout the Year while the weather is perfect all year around. Please keep in mind though that July and August are peak season and so are the many persons traveling to the national parks while the best lodges are filled up especially during the great wilderbeat migration Seasons. The Dry season months are also good to visit for wildlife viewing as the grass is short and animals are easier to find.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Just like other East African Countries, Malaria is the biggest health threat in Kenya, mostly the type brought by mosquitoes so be vigilant about taking anti-malarias and applying bugs spray. Consult with your doctor or travel clinic before leaving home for up-to-date anti-malarial medication. .

Yellow Fever Vaccine is required for entry into Kenya. Please make sure you obtain this vaccination at least 14 days prior to arriving in East Africa or Kenya. You must carry with you the Immunization card that you are given when you get the vaccine. Visitors unable to show proof of vaccination will most likely be refused entry but it may be possible to be vaccinated on arrival at a cost of approx. US $ 50 per person or more.

The International Society of Travel Medicine’s website (www.istm.org) contains the list of travel clinics worldwide where you can go get the Yellow Fever vaccine.

It’s imperative to use strong sunscreen: Stick to bottled water and ensure that the bottle seal is unbroken. taking plenty of fluids and water will help your body to keep most. Put your personal medications in your carry-on baggage and bring copies of prescriptions.

Visa

A Tourist visa to Kenya is $50. A signed, valid passport and a tourist visa. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip.

Tourist visas for Kenya can be purchased either on arrival or by applying in advance through a visa processing service. https://www.kenyaonlinevisa.org/visa-information , While there are additional costs involved in using these services, we encourage you to obtain your visa ahead of time, as long lines can be common.

If you are tourist planning to combine Kenya with a visit to Uganda and Rwanda only, it is recommendable to request for the East African Tourist Visa. This special tourist visa costs US $100 per person and allows 90 days multiple entry to Uganda, Rwanda  and Kenya. Regretfully, Tanzania is not (yet) a member of the East African community and therefore not part of this arrangement.

Language

Kenya’s  national language is English, but also Kiswahili are widely spoken throughout the country.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is strongly advised that every client purchase a trip insurance. You can contact any trip insurance company that you choose, and they can answer any questions that you might have regarding the insurance they offer, what is covered and what options would be best suited for your trip. Most of the insurance polices in Kenya cover the car and third parties, in case of any thing you should carry your own insurance for travel to be on a safe side.

MONEY MATTERS

Kenya’s  unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling.

The country has a cash-based economy. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Major credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis, mainly only in the largest shops, hotels and lodges. ATMs are available in larger city across the country, but less frequent in remote areas and national parks.

Exchange money only at authorized outlets such as currency forex bureaus, banks and hotels. Only exchange what you feel you will need while visiting. Save all receipts from any currency transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency.

We suggest travelling with some U.S. dollars to be exchanged for local currency and at least two major credit cards. Because of Kenya’s cash-based economy, we suggest you bring enough cash in USD $ (in smaller denominations), to finance your gratuities, purchases and other incidentals.

The regulated currency is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh). Notes are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, we have coins from a 50 ,100, 200. At this writing, the exchange rate was about ugx 100 for US$1.

Kindly do not bring US dollars notes post dated 2009 Older , written on and torn notes are not accepted in Kenya.  Most large hotels accept U.S dollars. Euros, Kenya shillings and take all major credit cards at a surcharge of 10%.-30%

Bargaining, especially at marketplaces, is part of the shopping experience. But always be aware of the exchange rate and pay appropriately—you do not want to underpay, but you also do not want to be charged exorbitant “tourist” prices.

SAFARI GUIDE

Your driver/guide is complete with experience, information and knowledge of all the areas that you will travel to. Be sure to ask them lots of questions and feel free to chat with them about anything regarding your safari.

Tipping In Uganda

There is no tipping culture in Kenya. Tipping in Kenya depends entirely on your level of satisfaction, but even a small tip to show your gratitude will be highly appreciated. You might consider USD10 – 15 per day if you are happy with the service of your safari guide and 5-10% tip in upmarket hotels.

TANZANIA TRAVEL FACTS

12/03/2019 Exercise increased caution in Tanzania due to crime, terrorism, and targeting of LGBTI persons.Country Summary: Violent crime, such as assault, sexual assault, robberies, mugging, and carjacking, is common. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crime.Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in

Tanzania. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting embassies, police stations, mosques, and other places frequented by Westerners.Members of the LGBTI community have been arrested, targeted, harassed, and/or charged with unrelated offenses. Individuals detained under suspicion of same-sex sexual conduct could be subject to forced anal examinations.Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.If you decide to travel to Tanzania:

• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa and keep original documents in a secure location.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not leave your food or drink unattended.
• Stay alert in all locations, especially those frequented by Westerners.
• Avoid public displays of affection particularly between same-sex couples.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive