Important Travel Requirements As Rwanda Re-opens

After months of travel isolation, Africa is slowly starting to open up to international travel. We have pieced together the most important information for international travellers issued by the Rwanda Development Board on behalf of the Rwanda Ministry of Health as Rwanda re-opens it’s borders.

We could not think of anything better than a Rwanda safari for you to once again experience the wonder of the Africa safari trip, maybe even for the first time.

Travel requirements as Rwanda re-opens to international travellers

Listed below are the Rwandan Government and Ministry of Health regulations related to COVID-19 that must be adhered to before, during a visit and on departure.

Pre-Arrival

• All travellers to Rwanda will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test (Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction from an ISO-certified laboratory), taken within 72 hours of departure for Rwanda. The results of this test must be submitted to the Rwanda Development Board before departing the country of origin and needs to be shown on arrival in the country. Please forward copies to your Journey Specialist (Tailormade Africa) to assist accordingly.
• The results of COVID-19 tests done before departure will be uploaded onto a passenger location page online. This page will issue a reference number that will be given to health authorities on arrival. All traveller information will be available on this page, including the hotel they will be staying at on arrival.

Arrival

• A second mandatory RT-PCR test will be conducted upon arrival in Kigali. Note that this will require a minimum of one overnight in Kigali while awaiting results.
• If travellers are unable to get the first test prior to departure from their country of origin, they will be required to take two tests in Rwanda, allowing for a 48 hour period between tests. The cost of these is US$ 50 per person per test.
• Sanitary protocols are followed at the airport, and travellers will be accompanied through baggage collection all the way to the vehicle for their transfer to the hotel.
• COVID-19 tests will conducted at the hotel by the health authorities, where a dedicated COVID-19 desk will be occupied 24/7.
• On check-in at the hotel, travellers will be allocated rooms on a quarantined floor. While travellers wait for the result of the test, they will have to stay in their rooms, including for meals. We have been assured that the tests results will be available within 8 hours of taking the swab, irrespective of time of arrival.
• There is no quarantine period if both tests are negative.
• All hotels in Kigali will have a quarantine area. There are a total of 17 certified hotels, which can be included in your itinerary. Please speak with us about these.
• Should the traveller test positive on arrival, they will be collected by the health authorities and taken to designated centres.
• A test on departure is compulsory and will cost US$50. We are investigating the possibility of having tests done as close to the lodges as possible, to avoid having to wait 8 hours in Kigali.
• The results for all the tests will be communicated by email using the original reference number.
• Costs for accommodation, meals, transfers and tests in Kigali will be for travellers’ accounts.
• All travellers are required to carry comprehensive travel insurance in the event that they require medical care.

In-Country

• Physical distancing must be observed where possible.
• The wearing of masks is mandatory.
• Temperature screening before entering buildings is mandatory.

Air Access

At this time, scheduled commercial air will commence operation as follows:

• RwandAir – 1 August – flights will commence to continental destinations that are open for travel like Nairobi, Dubai, Dar es Salaam
• Ethiopian Airlines – 1 August – daily
• Brussels Airlines – 2 August – twice a week
• Qatar – 3 August – 3 times a week
• KLM – 6 August – no details yet regarding frequency

Gorilla, Golden Monkey & Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

• Wearing a mask while gorilla trekking is mandatory.
• Tourists are required to maintain a distance of at least 10 metres at all times while visiting primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
• For gorilla visits, a group of 6 (six) tourists will be permitted for a maximum of 1 (one) hour for every visitation. For golden monkeys, a group of 12 (twelve) tourists will be permitted for a maximum of 1 (one) hour for every visitation. For chimpanzees, a group of 8 (eight) tourists will be permitted for a maximum of 1 (one) hour for every visitation. For gorilla trekking it is also possible to book a sole-use trek for US$15,000.
• Whilst at Volcanoes National Park HQ, visitors will be briefed on the safety and health measures that are to be followed in order to ensure the wellbeing of oneself and the Endangered Mountain Gorillas.
• Temperatures will also be tested prior to the trek to ensure all visitors are in the recommended temperature range advised by the ministry of health.
• To date, if visitors are turned back by park authorities for ‘medical’ reasons, their permits will be refunded.

These guidelines are subject to change. For the latest information as Rwanda re-opens, please check back with us regularly.

Let us tailor-make your ideal Rwanda safari holiday. Feel free to pick up the phone on +44 1932 361807 (UK & Rest of the world) / 1 844 390 1798 (USA toll free) or pop us an email at info@tailormadeafrica.com, and we can help you to plan your bespoke safari holiday with us – and by doing so, help us to support those most in need on the ground.