Safaris in Rwanda
WHETHER SIMPLY ENCHANTING OR AUTHENTIC -BOOK YOUR DREAM SAFARI TODAY – UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!
We know what we recommend and are passionate about delivering high quality programs to our guests.
Each itinerary presented here has been carefully checked and selected to guarantee our guests not only great experiences, but also positive lasting memories. If you would like a special, tailor-made program, please contact us, we will be happy to prepare a private trip for you that is tailored to your wishes, preferences and budget.
Exciting Safaris in Rwanda
The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of Rwanda is its tumultuous political history, culminating in the murder of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsis by Hutu extremists. Today’s Rwanda, however, is a long way from the brutal nation it was in the mid-1990s. The country has emerged from the shadow of genocide and has a lot to offer. Most impressive is the search for traces of the endangered mountain gorilla in the lush Virunga National Park, which stretches across the peaks and jungle slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Other important tourist attractions are the extensive Lake Kivu, the old Nyungwe forest with its rich population of primate species and the wild savannahs of the Akagera National Park.
3 Days 
From 969 €
Face to face with the most impressive animals in their natural environment. This 3 day package focuses on visiting the rare mountain gorillas, experience this special encounter.
11 DaysFrom 2.905 €
Discover the original Rwanda! Picturesque national parks with rich flora and fauna, crowned by an audience with the king of the rainforests. This adventure inspires!
8 DaysFrom 3.123 €
In the footsteps of our relatives, encounters that will be unforgettable combined with the diverse fauna and historical sites as well as selected, charming accommodations.
5 DaysFrom 1.333 €
The wilderness is calling! On the trail of the great primates and the original Kivu Lake, this safari offers a kaleidoscope of different landscapes and their people.
About Rwanda
ENTRY, SECURITY, NUTRITION & CO.
Currency :
The local currency is Rwanda Franc (RWF) and is divided into 100 Centimes. Banknotes are available in denominations of RWF 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500 and coins in RWF 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
The import and export of the local currency is limited to 5000 Rwanda Francs. In the case of foreign currencies, on the other hand, there are none. When importing, all you have to do is declare the amount and change it within the next 8 days.
Banks
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Credit cards are only accepted in a few hotels in Kigali. MasterCard and Visa are preferred.
International Visa cards are accepted by the ATMs at Ecobank Headquarters in Kigali and Kigali Airport and can also be used at the ATMs at Access Bank Headquarters in Kigali. However, these ATMs are often affected by power outages. It is best to travel with US dollars. Pounds sterling are also accepted by some banks.
Changing travelers checks can be tricky outside of Kigali.
Akagera Aviation (+250 788 308 382 / +250 252 580 234) offers helicopter flights across the country. Rwanda Air flies inland to the southeastern city of Cyangugu.
A lot of work is going on to improve the road. In some places you will find slippery asphalt while others are pothole studded dirt trails. A four wheel drive vehicle is of good use on some local roads.
During the annual rains in spring and autumn, landslides occur on some major roads and some roads become impassable. You should drive particularly carefully at night as headlights are not always used by other drivers.
There are no international car rental companies in Rwanda, but there are several local ones. You can find these in the Eye magazine at the airport or in hotels (www.theeye.co.rw).
Taxis are available in cities and large communities. Just keep an eye out for vehicles with orange stripes. Fares should be reasonable and agreed in advance of the journey. If you feel that the price is too high, you can ask a local for advice. Tips are not expected.
Bicycle and scooter taxis are a quick and cheap way to get around town, but they are also risky.
Minibus taxis provide connections between towns and some villages. This type of travel is rather uncommon for foreigners, but it is actually quite safe and efficient. If you decide to take one of these mini buses and start your journey at the beginning of the route, you will have to wait until the bus is full before it leaves.
Virunga Express (www.virungatravel.com) and Onatracom Express offer more direct connections within the city.
Right-hand traffic applies in Rwanda. The use of a cell phone or smartphone, except with a hands-free device, while driving is a criminal offense. Seat belts must always be used in the front seats. If you have had a drink, it is better not to drive. You can be arrested from 0.8 per mille in your blood. Speed limits are 40 km / h in the city and 60k / h outside of the city. When the car in front of you flashes to the left, it wants to tell you that overtaking is dangerous or not possible at the moment, whereas the right turn signal is a signal that the path is clear.
An international driving license is required. If you have come from another country with the vehicle, an appropriate permit as well as the insurance papers are required.
To get you from Gisenyi to Kibuye, you can also rent a boat by inquiring at one of the nearby hotels.
Food can usually be eaten safely as long as it is well cooked and hot. If in doubt, you can switch to larger restaurants in cities and those that specialize in tourists, as these are subject to legal security checks. Avoid buying groceries on street corners or drinking tap water. Buy bottled water or sterilize it beforehand, for example by boiling it. Milk is not pasteurized and should also be boiled. Canned or powdered milk is a good alternative. Avoid dairy products that are believed to have been made from uncooked milk. Only eat meat and fish when it is well done and preferably served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits peeled.
The majority of the population in Rwanda lives from the needs economy and accordingly their meals consist mostly of starchy crops such as potatoes, corn and cassava. This is usually served with kidney beans and cabbage, and those who can afford it often eat goat. In the Kigali and other cities, grilled meat is usually served with French fries or rice with spicy stews.
Most of the time, hotels offer a reasonable selection of European dishes. There are Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian and Oriental restaurants and some also serve Franco-Belgian and African dishes. There is always a good selection of beers, spirits and wines, with beer also brewed locally.
You will find brochettes on most menus. Basically, it is a skewer of meat or fish that is served with rice or French fries. Other regional specialties are, for example, tilapia, a white fish from Lake Kivu, which is also grown locally, or matoke, i.e. plantains that are often served on potatoes and taste very similar!
Primus is the local beer of choice. Mutzig is very similar, but also more expensive and is often available in large 700ml bottles. The local Urwangwa banana wine is more for the brave.
There is no clear rule for tipping in Rwanda, but most employees in the larger hotels see it as appropriate. A general rule is to give 10% in restaurants. It can be $ 5 to $ 10 if you like.
Despite its proximity to the equator and because of the high altitude of most of the country’s areas, Rwanda has a temperate climate, with temperatures rarely exceeding 25 ° C.
The long dry season is from June to September and there are two rainy seasons a year. One from mid-March to early June and small rains from mid-September to December.
The dry season is best for gorilla and monkey trekking, if only to avoid getting completely soaked. The monkeys and gorillas can also be seen during the rainy season, but they will probably be a bit grumpy. The dry season also has the advantage that wild life can be easily observed in Akagera National Park, as the animals get thirsty and are drawn to the drinking holes accordingly. At this point, the roads are also less dangerous and the risk of malaria is lower.
The rainy season is the best time to see chimpanzees and is also the most exuberant and greenest time.
Light cotton or linen clothing is recommended for most of the year and warmer clothing for the cool evenings in the highlands. A rainproof wardrobe is a must, especially in the rainy season. Sunglasses, protection and a hat are advisable all year round. A good pair of walking shoes is important. Sturdy, waterproof footwear, mosquito repellent, long trousers and a pair of gardening gloves (sharp bushes and branches) are good preparation for the hikes to the gorillas.
In Rwanda, European standard sockets type C, E and F Schuko are used.
Electrical outlets in Rwanda typically deliver electricity between 220 and 240 volts AC.
If the power plug of your device does not match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter. Travel plug adapters change the shape of the device plug so that it fits into the socket.