RWANDA TRAVEL INFORMATION

THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: Rwanda, in east-central Africa, is surrounded by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Steep mountains and deep valleys cover most of the country. Lake Kivu in the northwest, at an altitude of 4,829 ft (1,472 m), is the highest lake in Africa. Extending north of it are the Virunga Mountains, which include the volcano Karisimbi (14,187 ft; 4,324 m), Rwanda's highest point.

THE CAPITAL CITY: Kigali.

LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French, and English (all official); Kiswahili in commercial centers

RELIGION: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Islam 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001).

VISA: Visas can be obtained from the embassies and consulates of Rwanda, and also at the point of entrance to the country.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: one should have a valid yellow fever inoculation card. Anti malarial tablets like lariam are recommended. Lariam should be taken at least one week before travelling to Uganda, the entire period of stay in the country and at least a week after leaving the country. Most of the big cities have drugstores, but it is recommended that you carry your own medicine as recommended by your doctor.

TIME: +3 GMT.

CLIMATE: Because of the high altitude of the country, Rwanda has a pleasant tropical highland climate, with a daily temperature range as great as 14°C (25°F). Temperature vary considerably from region to region because of the variations in altitude. The average daytime temperature is about 30°C except in the highlands where it is much cooler. There are four seasons; long rains from mid March to mid May, short rains from mid-October to mid-December; long dry period from mid-May to mid-October and short dry season from mid-December to mid-March. The north-east has more rainfall than other parts of the country.

CURRENCY: Rwanda franc.

CUSTOMS: Duty free entry is permitted for the following: 200 cigarettes; 1 bottle of spirit alcohol; 600g of perfume. It is prohibited to import fruits, seedlings and seeds; narcotics; explosives, firearms and toys imitating firearms. It is forbidden to export stuff made of ivory, animal hides and remains. The import of foreign currency is unconfined, but requires declaration.

ELECTRICITY: The country’s voltage is 240V, with three pinned English style sockets. In Lodges and camps (on safari) they use generators for electricity which they switch during sleeping hours at night.