Visa rules and fees are set by the Rwandan government and can change. Check Rwanda's official immigration website or the Irembo portal before you travel.
Your checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages
- Visa — on arrival or applied for online
- Return or onward ticket and your itinerary
- Yellow fever certificate if your route requires it
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
- No plastic bags
The tourist visa
Visitors of all nationalities can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, or apply in advance online through Rwanda's official immigration website or the Irembo government portal. For most nationalities a single-entry visa costs US$50. Citizens of African Union countries and some other countries can visit free of charge. Applying online before you travel saves time at the airport.
Visiting Uganda or Kenya too?
The East Africa Tourist Visa has allowed multiple entries to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya on one visa — check whether it is available for your route. Uganda requires a yellow fever certificate, and Kenya uses an eTA: see the Uganda visa guide and the Kenya eTA guide.
Health
A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever, and is strongly advised if you are also visiting Uganda or Kenya. Doctors usually recommend routine vaccines, hepatitis A and typhoid, and antimalarials for parts of the country. You must be healthy to trek gorillas. See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you go.
The plastic bag ban
Rwanda banned plastic carrier bags in 2008 and enforces the ban strictly — bags can be confiscated at the airport. Pack in reusable bags and leave duty-free shopping bags behind. It is part of why Kigali is famously clean.
Arriving in Kigali
International flights land at Kigali International Airport (KGL), close to the city centre. Our trips start with a transfer to your hotel in Kigali.
Good to know
- On the last Saturday morning of each month, Umuganda community work pauses many services until around midday.
- Drones need permits and are not allowed in national parks without permission.
