Country Profile - RWANDA

General Information

Area: 26,338 sq km (10,169 sq miles).

Population: 7,609,000 (2000).

Population Density: 288.9 per sq km.

Capital: Kigali. Population: 233,640 (1991).

GEOGRAPHY: Rwanda is a small mountainous country in central Africa, bordered to the north by Uganda, to the east by Tanzania, to the south by Burundi and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country is divided by great peaks of up to 3000m (9842ft), which run across the country from north to south. The Virunga volcanoes, rising steeply from Lake Kivu in the west, slope down first to a hilly central plateau and further eastwards to an area of marshy lakes around the upper reaches of the A’Kagera River, where the A’Kagera National Park is situated.

Government: Republic since 1962. Gained independence from Belgium in 1962. Head of State: President Paul Kagame since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Bernard Makuza since 2000.

Language: The official languages are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Kiswahili is used for trade and commerce.

Religion: Animist (50 per cent), Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) and an Islamic minority.

Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications:

Telephone: Country code: 250. There are no area codes. There is International Direct Dialling but this may be subject to occasional disruptions.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900/1800 network. Network operators include MTN Rwandacell (website: www.mtnrwandacell.co.rw). Handsets can be hired.

Internet: ISPs include Rwandatel (website: www.rwanda1.com). There are Internet cafes in Kigali.

Telegram: Facilities are available in Kigali and main hotels.

Post: Post office hours (Kigali): Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700, Sat 0800-1200. Airmail to Western Europe takes approximately 2 weeks.

Press: There are English-language newspapers. Publications are also in French or Kinyarwanda and are fortnightly or quarterly.
Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes No/1 Yes
USA Yes No/1 Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

Restricted Entry: The Rwandan Government refuses admission and transit to nationals of Burundi without the proper entry documents.

PASSPORTS: Passports valid for at least 6 months required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:

(a) 1. nationals of Canada, Germany, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the USA for stays of up to 3 months;

(b) nationals of China (PR) providing holding Hong Kong (SAR), China passports for stays of up to 1 month;

(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry/Multiple-entry: £50.

Note: Nationals of Mauritius, South Africa, Sweden and the UK require visas but can obtain them free of charge.

Validity: 3 months.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Two completed application forms. (d) Company letters or guarantee for business trips. (e) Fee, payable by company certified cheque, postal order or cash.

Working days required: 24 hours.

Temporary residence: Visas can be extended at the Immigration Office in Kigali.

Money

Currency: Rwanda Franc (FRw) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of FRw5000, 1000, 500 and 100. Coins are in denominations of FRw50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Credit & debit cards: Accepted at only a few hotels in Kigali. MasterCard is most widely accepted, with more limited use of Diners Club. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.

Travellers cheques: Generally not recommended although banks accept travellers cheques by the holder.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to FRw5000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, provided declared on arrival.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Rwanda Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 939.61 923.24 1018.52 997.54
$1.00= 537.15 544.00 559.55 558.50

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1700, Sat 0830-1130.

Duty Free

Duty-Free: The following items may be imported into Rwanda by persons over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:

2 cartons of cigarettes and 2l of alcoholic beverages.

Note: Game trophies can only be exported with special permission of the Game Department.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 28 Democracy Day. Apr 7 Genocide Memorial Day. May 1 Labour Day. Jul 1 Independence Day. Jul 4 Liberation Day. Aug 1 Harvest Festival. Aug 15 Assumption. Sep 8 Culture Day. Sep 25 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 28 Democracy Day. Apr 7 Genocide Memorial Day. May 1 Labour Day. Jul 1 Independence Day. Jul 4 Liberation Day. Aug 1 Harvest Festival. Aug 15 Assumption. Sep 8 Culture Day. Sep 25 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever Yes 1
Cholera Yes 2
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

Note: There is a constant danger of disease, owing to the lack of sanitation. The risk of epidemics is high.

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Rwanda. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Customs officials may demand to see some proof of immunisation. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information.

3: Typhoid is a risk, especially in rural areas.

4: Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country. The predominant, malignant falciparum strain is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.

Food & drink: Visitors are advised to bring their own supplies of food, bottled water and vitamins. Clean water is scarce, and all water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Typhus fever, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), onchocerciasis (river blindness), hepatitis A and E are widespread; hepatitis B is highly endemic. Menigococcal meningitis and TB occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical facilities are severely limited and extremely overburdened. Almost all medical facilities in Kigali were destroyed during the civil war, but the situation is now improving and most hospitals function to an acceptable level. However, medical insurance, including cover for emergency repatriation, is essential. Visitors are advised to bring their own personal medication.

Travel – International

Travel Warning: All but essential travel to rural areas bordering Burundi and Congo (Dem Rep) is advised. There remains a risk of indiscriminate attacks on Rwanda from rebel groups operating outside the country in the border regions with Burundi and Congo (Dem Rep).

AIR: There is no direct commercial air service to Rwanda from the UK at present. The national carrier is Rwandair Express. Other airlines serving Rwanda include Air Burundi, East African, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, SN Brussels Airlines and South African Airways.

Approximate flight times: From Kigali to London is 12 hours, including stopovers.

International airports: Kigali (KGL) (Kigali International Airport), 12km (7.5 miles) east of Kigali (travel time – 25 minutes). Airport facilities include bar, duty-free shop, post office and currency exchange. Bus and taxi services are available.

Departure tax: US$20 or equivalent in Rwanda Francs.

ROAD: International routes are available from the surrounding countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. Visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution, owing to political instability. Bus: There are daily services from Kampala in Uganda and Bujumbura in Burundi to Kigali.

Travel – Internal

AIR: Chartered planes are available, though these are expensive.

Departure tax: US$20.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There are three types of road: National Routes which are tarmacked, Provincial Routes which are in quite good condition and Local Routes which are not tarmacked and on which a 4-by-4 vehicle might be a bonus. Extra care should be taken at night, as taxis use full headlights. The network is generally sparse; the roads linking the capital with Butare, Bugarana and the frontier posts are, however, good. Driving is not recommended and visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution. Bus: Services are operated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and are classified into three groups: Urban (route numbers prefixed by A, B or C); Suburban (D routes); and Interurban. A timetable and tariff booklet is available in Rwanda. Taxi: Available in Kigali and other large towns. Fares should be agreed in advance. Tipping is not expected. Car hire: Limited facilities in Rwanda. There are no international car hire firms operating, but there are local companies in Kigali. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Accommodation

HOTELS: Found mostly in Kigali; they are expensive. There are some cheaper new hotels of reasonable standard. Missions with dormitory accommodation are also available, particularly in remote districts and smaller towns. Ruhengeri and Gisenyi mission station hotels are excellent.

GUEST HOUSES: Outside the main towns there are guest houses, which are generally cheaper than hotels. There is a solar-powered house at the edge of the A’Kagera National Park.

CAMPING: At present this is forbidden but facilities are being developed. Rest huts are available on the expedition route in the Virunga Volcanoes.

Sport & Activities

The Parc Nacional des Volcans is most famous for gorilla tracking (Dian Fossey spent 18 years studying them here until her murder in 1985). Military units currently guard the park and ensure the safety of visitors, particularly from poachers.

Safaris can be undertaken in A’Kagera National Park at Kabarando; the park is devoted to game preservation and has lions, zebras, antelopes, hippos, buffalo, leopards, apes, impala, crested herons, fish eagles, cormorants, giraffes, elephants, elands and warthogs.
The Virunga Volcanoes between Ruhengeri and Gisenyi are popular with climbers. Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most commonly climbed from Gisenyi. Rwandan guides are available for 2- or 3-day expeditions to view the craters.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Hotels generally serve a reasonable choice of European dishes, while there are Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants. Some restaurants also serve Franco-Belgian cuisine and African dishes. A fairly good selection of beers, spirits and wines is available. Beer is also brewed locally.

Nightlife: Apart from the many small bars, there is little in the way of nightlife. There are a few cinemas in Kigali. The Rwanda National Ballet is famous for its traditional dancing and singing and can be seen either at national ceremonies or sometimes on request in the villages. There are now several nightclubs, with African, Congolese and Western music; there are also some live music bars with food and dancing available. The French Cultural Centre runs a variety of activities.

Shopping: Special purchases include woven baskets with pointed lids, native clay statuettes, masks and charms. Do not buy souvenir gorilla skulls or hands; if they are offered, report the trader to the police. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1300 and 1400-1730, Sat 0830-1230.

Special Events: Rwanda celebrates Easter, Christmas and New Year, along with Democracy Day, Republic Day and Culture Day (see Public Holidays section for dates).

Social Conventions: The traditional way of life is based on agriculture and cattle. The Rwandans settle in the fertile areas, but they do not form villages, each family being surrounded by its own fields. The majority of the population belong to the Hutu tribe. There is a significant Tutsi minority (15 per cent) and a smaller minority of Twa, a mixed race of traditional potters and hunters and said to be the country’s first inhabitants. Normal social courtesies apply. Tipping: 10 per cent is normal.

Business Profile

Economy: Rwanda’s economy, which is based on subsistence agriculture, was devastated by the massacres of 1994, the huge refugee populations that resulted, political upheaval and, since then, ongoing fighting in several parts of the country. Plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava and beans are grown for domestic consumption; tea and coffee are the principal cash crops and there is extensive livestock farming. Some rice and sugar plantations have also been developed. Rwanda has some mineral deposits – principally tin ores, but also several ores containing rare metals such as tungsten and tantalum, which are in heavy demand in the world market. Extraction of the large natural gas reserves discovered beneath Lake Kivu has begun, although it has been disrupted by local fighting. The industrial sector produces tobacco, metal goods, chemicals, rubber and plastics. In the service sector, the embryonic tourism industry (geared towards ecotourism) has had to restart from scratch as a result of the 1994 genocide and subsequent events. Given the political situation, exacerbated by a series of poor harvests during the late 1990s, it is hardly surprising therefore that Rwanda continues to rely heavily on international aid. A new Structural Adjustment Programme was begun in 1998, followed by an ambitious privatisation programme: both are being conducted under the supervision of the IMF and World Bank. In 2002, telecommunications and government-owned tea plantations were put up for sale. The results so far have been quite good: the economy has been growing at around 6 per cent annually for the last four years without significant inflation. But, like most sub-Saharan African economies, Rwanda is especially vulnerable to commodity price movements; these are presently at a very low level. Aid donors have also promised further assistance conditional on Rwanda pulling its troops out of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country’s principal trading partners are Kenya, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Tanzaniaand Uganda. The main regional co-operation mechanism for Rwanda is the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Business: Lightweight suits are advised and appointments are necessary. Best time to visit is from April to October or December to January. A knowledge of French is useful as only a few executives speak English. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and 1330-1700.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Rwanda, BP 319, Kigali, Rwanda (tel: 83538 or 83541; fax: 83532).

Climate

Climate: Despite its proximity to the Equator, the climate in Rwanda is cooled by the high altitude. It is warm throughout most of the country but cooler in the mountains. There are two rainy seasons: mid-January to April and mid-October to mid-December.

Required clothing: Lightweights are required for most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler upland evenings. Rainwear is advisable.