Rwanda is a compact, bustling country in the heart of the Great Lakes region. Don't be put off by its grim past - there is a genuine air of optimism and a thirst for development.

Getting around

Getting around this small African country is relatively easy: tourist destinations are never more than a day's drive from one another.

Roads
Minibus taxis are the main mode of public transport by road in Rwanda. You pay before climbing aboard rather than on reaching your destination. Compare your fare with what others are paying to make sure you're not overcharged. Buses are also available on some routes, running scheduled trips.

Rail
No rail services exist in Rwanda at the present time.

Self-driving
The main freeways in Rwanda are well surfaced and in good condition. Many other roads, however, are not, so caution should be taken to avoid tragedy by pothole, reckless Rwandan driving or livestock crossing the road. All roads are 'doable' by an ordinary car in the dry season, though 4x4s would be preferable in places. In the wet season a 4x4 is essential if you're venturing off the main routes. In general, drive more carefully than you would at home - Rwandans, in general, employ rather a cavalier approach to clearing obstacles. Also try to avoid driving at night; some Rwandan vehicles lack headlights.

Health

Rwanda is a hot, tropical African country: it would be advisable to be up to date with your immunisations - tetanus and polio would be a good start. The elevated altitude may keep the temperature down but that doesn't mean the sun is any less strong: take precautions against sunburn. It would be wise to avoid tap water and do not use ice cubes or eat rare meat, raw seafood or dairy products. Avoid roadside stands and street vendor and only eat well cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Bilharzia is present in many of the lakes and rivers: avoid walking, washing or swimming in shallow, still water.

Malaria
It's crucial that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Rwanda. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Rwanda. Start your course at least 24 hours before entering the country and continue taking the pills for six weeks after your departure. If you suffer from side effects, try taking your malaria prophylactics at night, after dinner as this usually minimises the effect of the symptoms.

Even while taking prophylactics, you should still take precautionary measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes, like: sleeping under a bed-net or in a room/tent with mosquito-proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times); spraying your accommodation with insecticide; making use of a mosquito-repelling lotion or stick and wearing long-sleeve clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night.

Any person entering Rwanda from or via a yellow fever infected area must be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever.

Safety

Despite the horrors that have visited Rwanda in the past, it remains a safe country to visit and Kigali is one of Africa's safest big cities (though don't be totally naïve). It would be advisable to do a little research on current events in Rwanda, bearing in mind its proximity to its troubled western neighbour, the DRC and current instability in its southern neighbour - Burundi. Rwandans are sensitive about photography: ask permission to take photos of people and their possessions and never take photos of military or government establishments.

Passport & Visas

A valid passport is needed for ALL international travel. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months AFTER returning from your trip - this is an international requirement. It is also essential that you have sufficient blank pages in your passport for visas, entry stamps or temporary residence permits. We recommend allowing two blank pages per country that you are planning to visit.

Some countries will require entry, re-entry or departure permits and/or visas, which are issued at their consulates/embassies. You will find broad guidelines regarding your visa requirements on the Wild Times website. These guidelines are supplied by an independent company. However, it is vital for you to realise that each country's requirements may change at any given time and that Wild Times has no control over this process. Wild Times is unable to offer a visa service for any of our clients as we cover a number of African destinations and our clients come from all over the world.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that you contact the relevant issuing authorities in good time to double-check the entry requirements, and then arrange for all the necessary permits and visas you need. Your local visa service agent or shop is also a convenient and useful solution: they will make sure you have all the necessary documentation and will apply for the visa on your behalf. Wild Times cannot be held responsible if visa applications are denied for any reason. We also cannot be held responsible for any changes in costs, requirements, delays, or loss of passports caused by the issuing authorities. Please note that these requirements may change at any given time.

What other documents do I need?

Other important documents you may need are:

• an international driver's licence
• inoculation certificates (e.g. yellow fever)
• airline, car, hotel, hotel vouchers

Please check whether you need these before you leave.

What to Pack

Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical items to pack for a trip to Rwanda are:

• blouses with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
• T-shirts
• shorts or a light skirt
• jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
• fleece or sweater for the higher altitudes
• comfortable walking shoes/hiking boots/waterproof sandals
• sunblock, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent - essentials!
• binoculars and a camera are a must
• tracksuit - good for sleeping in when in the mountains
• light, compact raincoat is vital for Rwanda's rainy climate
• swimsuit, as most hotels/lodges have swimming pools
• towel, torch and sleeping bag for camping safaris