Passport and visas
A valid passport is mandatory. All visitors except citizens of the United States, Germany, Canada, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Great Britain, Sweden, Singapore, Hong Kong and Burundi require entry visas. Residents of countries that do not require an entry Visa may remain in Rwanda for up to 90 days.
Foreign Nationals wishing to obtain Rwandan Visas must submit their applications to Rwandan Embassies or Diplomatic Missions of their Country of residence for processing.
In the case of those coming from countries in which there is no embassy or diplomatic mission in Rwanda, visitors should request for an entry facility online, which will be used to obtain a visa on any official point of entry in the country. The website is www.migration.gov.rw.
The visitor’s visa should not be used for employment.
Categories of Visas
The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration issues the following visas:
-Entry visa: available online only, issued for a single entry on any official point of entry in Rwanda, valid for 15 days and renewable by the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration up to 90 days maximum.
-Transit visa: duration 2 days
-Tourist visa: issued by Rwandan Embassies and renewable at Migration office.
-Resident visa with work permit/business-working: renewable and multiple entry.
-Resident visa without work permit.
-Permanent visa: multiple entries.
To apply for a VISA go to: www.migration.gov.rw/forms.php
GENERAL CONDITIONS TO OBTAIN RWANDAN VISAS:
The applicant should have:
-A valid Passport
-Application letter specifying type of visa required;
-A recently taken passport size photo (4cm x 4cm);
-A completed application form.
Health
A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required. Malaria is present in all of Rwanda and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended (Malarone).
It is advisable not to drink or brush your teeth with the tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns.
List of Recommended Shots
– Yellow Fever (Required)
- Typhim Vi (Typhoid)
- Polio Booster (IVP)
- Adacel (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster)
- Hepatitis A Shot #1
- Hepatitis A Shot #2 (180 days after shot #1)
- Hepatitis B Shot #1
- Hepatitis B Shot #2 (30 days after shot #1)
- Hepatitis B Shot #3 (150 days after shot #2)
- MMR Booster (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV or Pneumovax)
- Influenza
- Meningococcal (Meningitis)
Clothes
Situated at an altitude of 1,850m (6,069ft), Musanze is a mountain town with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F). Early mornings and evenings can be cool and the mosquitoes will be out at night, so pants and long-sleeved shirts are advised (even a few sweaters or light weight fleece jackets are necessary on very cool nights).
Money
The unit of currency is the Rwandan Franc, which (as of 2011) exchanges for about 595 RWF to the US $1.
Luggage
Most airlines allow each passenger to check two pieces of luggage, in which neither piece can exceed 22kg (50lbs) or 157cm (62in) (height + width + length).
(Please confirm specific limitations with the airlines’ websites).
Most airlines allow two carry-on bags; one smaller suitcase with wheels and a purse style bag. However, sometimes the airlines require passengers to check the smaller suitcase with wheels on the flights from Europe to Africa, so be prepared to repack in order to keep the most essential items with you.
Getting to Musanze
Air Travel:
There are several airlines that fly into the Kigali International Airport. Please check with the individual airlines for flight information:
Kigali International Airport:
Air Uganda: +25.078.857.79.26
Brussels Air: +25.078.830.41.14
Burundi Air: +25.078.840.74.57
Ethiopian Airways: +25.078.842.61.64
Kenya Airways Ltd.: +25.025.250.16.52
+25.025.257.79.72
+25.025.250.16.52
Rwandair Express: +25.078.830.79.82
South African Airways: +25.025.257.77.77
+25.025.257.85.60
By Bus:
Musanze offers a selection of mini buses and companies that travel to and from Kigali at a very inexpensive rate. Mini buses are around the size of Volkswagen bus and can transport as many as 19 passengers. Fares for the mini buses run around 1,700 RWF, or about $3.00.
For a more standard 30-passenger type bus, where you are guaranteed your own seat, try Virunga Express at an affordable price. A ticket on the Virunga Express runs about the same as a mini bus at 1,700 RWF, or $3.00. A bus departs for Musanze once every fifteen minutes.
Rwandan Phone Numbers:
International Country Code: +250
TIGO Numbers Start: +25 072
MTN Numbers Start: +25 078 (if less than 10 digits after +25 then add 78 after the first zero for example +25 0 555 5555 becomes +25 078 555 5555)
Rwandatel Numbers Start: +25 075 (if less than 10 digits after +25 then add 72 after the first zero for example +25 0 555 5555 becomes +25 072 555 5555)
Land Lines Start: +25 025 2 (if less than 10 digits after +25 then add 025 2 after +25 for example +25 55 5555 becomes +25 025 255 5555)