If Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills isn’t on your bucket list for 2023, then you should add it because it is an amazing safari destination for all kinds of visitors. If your dream is to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild, the big five game in the African wilderness, explore the oldest and largest Afro-montane tropical rainforest with its diverse attractions, learn about genocide history or enjoy the best canopy walk in Africa, then Uganda is your perfect place to be.
However, if you already have plans to explore this stunning country in the heart of Africa, you will most likely be worried about a number of things. For instance, you are wondering whether it is safe to travel this beautiful country, what to pack for the trip, the visa requirements, how to get around Rwanda and what airlines fly to the country, and whether you need travel insurance before traveling and exploring the land of a thousand hills. We shall help puzzle out the different do’s and don’ts while in this country, and all you need is to go through our essential travel tips for safaris that include;
Is it safe to explore Rwanda?
The question of safety is one of the frequently-asked among Travelers to Rwanda. What you might need to know (or already know) is that the land of a thousand hills is one of the safest safari destinations in the African Continent. However, there are some isolated cases of crimes such as petty theft or car jacking which you can prevent by avoiding isolated places, walking at night and displaying valuables in public. Also, you should always be aware of your surroundings.
Plan early for your Rwanda safari
Planning for your safari also involves undertaking research of the top destinations you hope to visit, the activities you want to do in the listed places, the foods you hope to taste and where to stay during your adventure. You will go ahead to buy an updated guidebook for a stress-free and unforgettable Rwanda safari.
Additionally, you will need a comprehensive safari itinerary for Rwanda indicating the places to visit and when to visit them.
Do you require a Visa to visit Rwanda?
Depending on your country of origin (Nationality), you may or may not require a Visa to visit Rwanda. Prior to visiting Rwanda, you might want to check https://www.visitrwanda.com/facts/immigration-visas/ . We always advise travelers to do this before even booking their activities, places of stay and flights to avoid last-minute disappointments.
Getting around Rwanda
As surprising as it sounds, Rwanda is one of the top African countries with the best road infrastructure, especially within major Towns and top tourist attractions. For Rwanda, the main means of getting around is by road/driving as there are no high-speed sub-ways or Metro in this country as you are used to seeing back home.
There are numerous options of exploring this country and these include Car Rental via Tour and Travel or Car Hire Companies, Public bus transportation (between big Cities), and Taxi (like Uber). Domestic flight (by Helicopter) are also possible especially to the National Parks and bigger Cities.
Tipping guide for Rwanda
Tipping in Rwanda isn’t mandatory but is slowly becoming a common practice in restaurants (10% pf your bill), Hotel/Lodge staff ($5-$10 per person per day) placed in the tipping box during check-out, Ranger Guide ($10-$15 per guide) and your safari driver ($10-$15 per person per day) and many others. If you have a drink at a bar, you can leave a tip for the Bartender.
Food and drinks safety
It is not safe to drink tap water during your Rwanda safari and also, avoid street foods because they aren’t safe. It is recommended to use bottled water for brushing teeth or even drinking.
Do you need travel insurance for Rwanda safaris?
Rwanda is a wonderful safari destination for breathtaking adventures that include Volcano climbing, mountain gorilla trekking, hot air balloon tours, as well as chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking. If you have plans to enjoy any of these activities, travel insurance is important to cover all these activities. However, considering that you are traveling to a country far away from home, you might need to buy comprehensive Travel insurance to cover any possible flight cancellation, and illnesses while in another country.
Do you need a local sim card in Rwanda?
Internet in Rwanda isn’t widely available as it is with developed safari destinations such as Asia, Europe and others hence you will need a sim Card (for data bundles) as soon as your flight lands at Kigali International Airport. Also, this simcard will help you stay connected with friends and family while on the trip through phone calls or SMS.
Learn some of the local languages
Another essential travel tip for Rwanda safaris is learning some basic words in the local language “Kinyarwanda” to properly communicate with locals. Key words to learn are “Muraho” meaning “hello”, “Mwiriwe” meaning “good afternoon”, “Muramuke” for “good night” and “Murabeho” for Goodbye among others.