Entry Requirements

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people traveling on a full ‘British Citizen passport, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Rwanda set and enforce entry rules. For further information contact the embassy, high commission, or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to. You should also consider checking with your transport provider or Travel Company to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Entry Rules In Response To Coronavirus

Entry To Rwanda

The Government of Rwanda has published updated guidance for passengers arriving in and departing from Rwanda.

All travelers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours prior to departure (meaning travelers must be tested and get results within 3 days of their first flight). Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs), are not accepted. COVID-19 tests are not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years. Incoming travelers eligible (aged 12 years and above) for COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged to be fully vaccinated before their travel. You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.

All travelers arriving in Rwanda must complete the passenger locator form and upload the COVID-19 test certificate before heading to the airport.

COVID-19 RT-PCR and Antigen Rapid Tests will be taken upon arrival and a mandatory. Antigen Rapid test will be performed on day 3 from the arrival date, at your own cost, at designated testing sites (Camp Kigali or nearest Provincial/ District Hospitals for those out of the City of Kigali). Travelers must self-isolate until they get negative PCR test results taken on arrival within 24 hours.

The cost of COVID-19 tests at the airport is now $70 and payment instructions can be found on the passenger locator form.

Transiting/connecting travelers who are not leaving the airport for less than 12 hours will be screened upon entry and not required to take a second test (This is not applicable for transiting passengers by land borders, in that case, passengers will be tested using RT-PCR and rapid tests on arrival), PCR test results will be fast tracked.

You should monitor the website of the office of the Prime Minister of Rwanda and the Twitter account of the Office of the Prime Minister for further updates.

Screening on arrival

Screening procedures are in place for coronavirus at all entry points.

Testing on departure

The Government of Rwanda has published updated guidance for passengers arriving in and departing from Rwanda.

All travelers departing from Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours before departure performed by the Rwanda Biomedical Center/National Reference Laboratory, Provincial or District Hospitals. Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs), are not accepted. A COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years. Travelers must take their tests 2 days prior to departure. Travelers are advised to check with airlines about the COVID-19 requirements of the final destination and/or transit countries and plan for their RT-PCR test accordingly.

Regular Entry Requirements

Visas

You need a visa to enter Rwanda. Thirty-day tourist visas are free and available on arrival for citizens of member states of the Commonwealth (including the UK), as well as for those of the African Union and the Francophonie.

You can also choose to get a visa in advance at any Rwandan diplomatic mission or online. Further information about visa requirements is available from the Rwandan High Commission.

If you’re planning to apply for resident/business or missionary multiple entry visas on entry to Rwanda you will need to get UK police clearance before you travel. You can find details of how to do this on the ACRO Criminal Records Office website. This usually takes a minimum of 10 working days to process.

Passport Validity

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Rwanda. You’ll need one blank page on your passport for entry stamps.

If your UK passport has expired since 1 January 2020 the Government of Rwanda has agreed that such passports will be treated as valid for travel until December 2021. However, you still need to ensure you have a valid visa to remain in Rwanda. You should renew your visa if required at the Rwanda Directorate-General of Immigration and Emigration

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit, and exit from Rwanda. If you’re traveling into Rwanda on an ETD, you’ll be expected to provide Rwandan Immigration with a reason for the use of an ETD, eg proof of residency. If you’re seeking to use a two-way ETD, should clear this with Rwandan Immigration before you travel.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

In conclusion, if you are planning Rwanda Safari Tours this coming holiday, you will need to consider the best Rwanda Travel Guide such that you have the most successful Safari In Rwanda and possibly in Africa.

Situated just beneath the equator in the African Great Lakes region, Rwanda has two dry seasons and two wet seasons. You’ll find that the Best Time To Visit Rwanda is during the longer of the dry seasons, from June to September. October then brings a short rainy season, followed by a short dry season from December to February. The longer rainy season runs from March to May. Rwanda is a destination for all seasons, so it is the best way to start Rwanda Safari as well.

Best Time: June to September (Except for chimp trekking in Nyungwe Forest)

High Season: June to September (Lodges might be full and gorilla permits must be booked long in advance)

Low Season: March, April, October, November (These are the peaks of the rains)

Best Weather: June to August (Least rain)

Worst Weather: March and April (Most rain, forest trails are slippery)

Rwanda Climate – Temperatures and Rainfall

Temperature-wise, Rwanda Safari Tours experiences little change in highs and lows from month to month, and no real winter/summer distinction as it is so close to the equator.  For much of the year, the daytime temperatures are a very pleasant mid to high 20s centigrade (25-28C). (This equates to the mid 70s to early 80s in Fahrenheit)

Best Time To Go Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Although it’s regarded as a year-round activity, the Best Time To Visit Rwanda for a Gorilla Trekking Rwanda is during the short dry season from mid-December to early February or over the long dry season months of June to September.

Best Time To Go Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

The Best Time To Go To Rwanda for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, however, is during the two rainy seasons – mid-February to early June and mid-September to mid-December – as the apes are easier to locate.

Best Time To Visit Rwanda By Season

The climate in Rwanda is characterized by the following seasons:

1. Long rains: March – May
2. Long drying time: May – October
3. Short rains: October – December
4. Short drying time: December – March

Rwanda is a destination for all seasons, but the drier period from June to September is best for spotting the country’s undoubted highlight, the mountain gorilla.

The rainy seasons from March to May and June to September are the optimum times for tracking chimpanzees.

Temperatures hardly vary throughout the seasons due to Rwanda’s position just south of the Equator, with warm days and nights that can be cool, especially at altitude.

Contact Saso Uganda Safaris now to start planning the best bespoke Rwanda Safari Packages that adds great value to money. Rwanda is waiting for you! And so are we. Call us now!