Fact & FAQs

One can visit Rwanda at all times of the year depending on their preference and schedule. Temperatures vary considerably between locations, but vary little from month to month. 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. 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. It is advisable to carry lightweight rain gear in the rainy season.

Visitors from all countries have been eligible for visa on arrival since 1st January 2018. Citizens of Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa countries that are not visa exempt receive visas valid for 90 days while other visitors are granted visas valid for 30 days.

Our Safaris are quoted as all inclusive. They include with fuel and driver/guide fees, accommodation, meals on safari, National Park and activity fees, medical evacuation insurance services, entrance fees and all authority fees and all other activities associated with your itinerary. Clients will directly be responsible for airfare to/from Rwanda, visa fees, extra airport transfers and all activities not mentioned or mentioned as optional in their itineraries. Extra beverages, alcohol, premium drinks and extra meals are not included in the quoted fees. It is always advisable to always check what is included in menu prices.

Most of our clients pay by wire transfers or credit card. Bank details are available upon request. In Kigali payments are accepted in US Dollars and in Rwandan francs. Cash payments are also allowed.

From Europe, major carriers SN Brussels Airlines, The Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) AND Turkish Airlines fly directly to Kigali. International carriers from Europe connect with most North American carriers. Major African Airlines include: Ethiopian Airlines, Egyptair Airline, South African Airways, Kenya Airways. From the Middle East and South East Asia, check with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Air.

Upon confirming a safari, we require that you effect payment of 30% of the quoted ground program fees. We also require 100% of Gorilla and Chimpanzee permit fees if they are included in your tour. There is only a limited number of Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits available on every specific date. These are available to all tour Operators’ and tourists to book and purchase with payment on first come first serve basis. Therefore we require payment to secure Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits of clients. The balance of 70% of the Ground program fees is required one month prior to your arrival for your safari.

Our fleet comprises of well-maintained 3-seater and 7 seater customized safari Land Cruisers. These have wide windows for better views and photography, a pop-up roof for game viewing while in the park. They are also equipped with charging portals and cool boxes for soft drinks and fruits. All these vehicles come in 4WD to navigate rough terrain where need arises. Depending on your travel preference, budget and number of clients in a group, you could choose from these. We also have safari vans 28-45 seater executive buses for larger groups. Our cars are driven by experienced and well trained driver safari guides.

Scheduled internal flights are available from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park. These flights are subject to availabity. A few of them might require minimum numbers to confirm.

You can book as early as possible because permits are few and available to every tour operator and tourists. Kindly note, Gorillas and Chimpanzee tracking permits are booked on first come first serve basis. As soon as you confirm your safari with us, we will make sure that we secure your permits.

We recommend a warm jacket or fleece for overcast days and evening, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, sturdy waterproof walking boots (seasoned or well-worn footwear), leather gardening gloves, sunscreen, cap or sun hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, comfortable day pack for carrying water and minimum number of personal items. A lightweight rain jacket or poncho is important because it can rain anytime in the tropical rainforests. Cameras and video cameras are allowed, we recommend that you get into the forest for the Gorilla tracking experience with your cameras well charged. You will have about an hour with the Gorillas, with enough time to take as many pictures as possible.

Once inside the forest, the following must be observed:

1. No spitting in the park, No littering in the park
2. No coughing in the direction of the gorillas, Only speak in whispers
3. Do not point at gorillas
4. Movements around the gorillas must be unthreatening
5. No venturing behind shrubs. You may surprise gorillas.
6. If a gorilla charges or vocalizes, do not look directly at it. Stand perfectly still unless the guide asks you to crouch or move back.
7. Keep a minimum distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.

Tipping entirely depends on level of services, satisfaction and impression that you have received. There are no fixed rates. Culturally, all tips and acts of gratuity are greatly appreciated.

We recommend that you travel with photocopies of your passport for use at check in and registrations. It is not advisable to carry your passport at all times especially in urban centers. Most hotels and lodges have safe deposit boxes available to keep your valuables.

Fine Safaris Afrika drivers/guides speak English and French fluently. Should you require guides who speak other international languages, we can arrange for a guide who speaks German, Spanish and Chinese.

Rwanda is safe for travel. There is no insurgency in the country. Fine Safaris Afrika maintains up-to-date information on all parts of the country and we advise clients accordingly at the time of booking if any risks are present. Basic precautions should be taken especially in urban centers. Clients should avoid crowded places without their guides. Generally Rwanda is a safe and warmly welcoming country.

Time spent in the car depends on the destination. On average, 3-6 hours are spent in the vehicle each day. During the journeys several health stops will be made to ensure your comfort and convenience. At Fine Safaris Afrika, the stop overs during the long drives are complemented with some complimentary fruits as well as opportunities for photography with the beautiful surroundings.

The big five mammals can be found in Akagera National Park and these include Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Crocodiles, Giraffes, Hyenas, Zebras, Hippos, Warthog, Rhinos and several antelopes like the Bushbucks, Roan antelope, Topis, klipspringer, Oribis, Cape eland, water-buck, Duikers and impalas among others. Rwanda is one of the best places in the world to view Chimpanzees and other primates with trekking available in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Gorilla tracking safaris and Golden monkey tracking are at Volcanoes National Park.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. We also recommend for clients to take a Malaria Prophylaxis prior to their tour to Rwanda. Rwanda is a tropical region with many insects and most notably, malaria spreading mosquitos. This treatment will guard them against contracting malaria from mosquito bites. We also advise insect repellant. All accommodation properties have mosquito nets or various repellants to keep mosquitos at bay.

• Covid-19 testing is no longer a requirement prior to boarding the flight to Rwanda. However, regular Covid-19 testing is encouraged.
• The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure.
• An additional Covid test is no longer required upon arrival at Kigali International Airport
• Certain meeting venues and national parks require Covid tests. Testing is available at health facilities and other designated sites for 5,000 RWF (or US$5) for rapid antigen tests, and 50,000 RWF (or US$50) for PCR tests (required to access Virunga National Park). Rwandan citizens pay a subsidized cost for PCR tests of 30,000 RWF (or US$30).
• Face masks are no longer mandatory in Rwanda, but their use is encouraged in public indoor settings.
• One must do a PCR test 24 hours prior to visiting the Primates

Authorized COVID-19 testing laboratories are available in Kigali capital at Gikondo testing Center.

Yes. There are many schools and communities living around tourists destinations in Rwanda. Your guide shall lead you to where you can donate stuff to these communities.