What You Should Know before Traveling to Rwanda

Currency:   Rwandan franc (RWF)

Time zone:  UTC+2 (CAT)

Driving side: right

Calling code: +250

ISO 3166 cod   RW

Internet TLD .rw

Language:

Kinyarwanda is the National language, while French, English and Swahili are official languages.

English is widely spoken throughout the country and mostly used as the business language

Religion: Christians 60%, Protestants 25% Muslims, 10%, Others 5%

Weather

Fractionally south of the Equator and with much of the country lying at altitude, Rwanda enjoys an agreeable tropical highland climate.

Temperature

• The average daily temperature in Kigali is 21°C (70°F).
• There are two rainy seasons in a year, from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December. The dry season, from June to mid-September, sees light cloud cover and occasional light rainfall. The roads and paths tend to be easier to navigate in this period
• Peak temperatures rarely exceed 30°C (86°F) in the daytime or drop below 15°C (59°F) at night. Akagera is generally the warmest and the Virunga mountains the coolest.

Money and currency:

• Notes are in denominations of RWF 500, 1,000, 2000, and 5000, while coins are RWF 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
• It is recommended to travel with US dollars as most banks and Forex Bureaus do not accept traveler’s cheques in exchange for cash.
• Only banks, Forex Bureaus, hotels and lodges are authorized dealers as recommended by the company to change money.
• Credit cards are usually accepted at hotels and major restaurants, souvenirs shops and shopping malls in Rwanda. (Except local markets.)

Environment

Rwanda has strict environmental laws. The use of plastic bags (polythene papers) has been banned. Beware not to carry such since they will not be allowed into the country at the borders and airports checkpoints. Kigali is a clean and green city. You are expected to throw your litter in rubbish cans which are fitted all over. Walk along the provided foot paths. Do not step on the grass.

Umuganda

The morning of the last Saturday of every month is Umuganda or community service. This initiative was introduced by the Rwandan Government to get the entire population to devote some time to their local community by cleaning the streets, cutting grass verges, repairing dirt road and various other organised activities. International visitors are not required to participate, but some tour operators can organise opportunities for tourists to get involved. Most shops and transport are closed for the morning.