From visa to health information, language, currency and more discover all the essential details from experts in our Rwanda travel guide.

Best known for its wealth of primates, Rwanda is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and some wonderful hiking spots. There are also beautiful lakes, dense jungles, rich birdlife and remote island communities for you to discover in Rwanda.

Rwanda is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination but before you set out, it is always a good idea to learn more about the country and relevant information on visas, health and safety. To help you better navigate the country, our experts have put together all the details in our Rwanda travel guide.

Citizens of all countries can get a visa upon arrival without prior application at a fee of USD$ 30 per person. Please ensure you have USD notes printed in 2013 or later. Depending on the traffic and number of guests arriving at any given moment, the immigration process can take 1 hour or more.

Visitors to Rwanda and Uganda who are going gorilla trekking should be aware that gorillas are susceptible to most human diseases. If you are suffering from a contagious disease (especially the flu), you must inform your guide and not join the trek for the safety of these endangered gorillas. A standard trek is a strenuous and can last between one to four hours each way (two to three hours is usual in each direction). Please note that children below 15 years of age are not permitted to go gorilla trekking.

The official languages in Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Kinyarwanda is a Bantu language and is spoken widely. Kirundi – spoken in the neighbouring country Burundi – and Kinyarwanda, are similar languages and have formed a wider dialect continuum called Rwanda–Rundi. Other languages like Swahili are also spoken in Rwanda. The use of English is most common in larger cities and in popular tourist destinations only. The further you travel into the interiors, the lesser the chances of finding locals who can converse in English.