Thanks for choosing Worldpeak Eco-tours for your trip to the land of a thousand hills It is with great pleasure that we gather and put together all the necessary information needed to ensure that your travel arrangements are made easy and smooth. Please take a few moments to read through this information and please do not hesitate to reach us out in case of any clarification or other concerns.
What you need to have with you on your trip:
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
1. Passport: All visitors coming to East Africa need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.
It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph, and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.
2. Visas: Rwanda waived VISA for members of the Commonwealth, African Union, and La Francophonie. For other countries not members of the above-mentioned organizations, Visa can be either applied online or issued upon arrival at the cost of 50$ for a single entry or 70$ for multiple entries.
3. Yellow fever: Travelling to East Africa requires proof of the yellow fever vaccination, it is therefore advised to travel with it.
Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: Governments are increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Security: There are currently no security problems in both Kenya and Rwanda. Please feel free to do your research for any updates or change in conditions.
Currency: Rates effective January 2023. The currency of Rwanda is the Rwanda Franc (RWF) and 1 USD = 1233 RWF. Importantly if you bring US dollars the bills must be in mint condition – crisp, clean, no rips, no writing and not older than 2006- if you wish to exchange them for local currency.
Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, some restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are of course widely accepted in Rwanda, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.
Time Difference: Rwanda is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Weather: The climatic conditions in Rwanda are mostly temperate tropical highland with the lower temperatures quite like the equatorial countries, owing to its high elevation level, Whereas Kenya is bisected by the Equator, yet it has three types of climate: hot and humid along the coast, temperate in the west and south-west, where there are mountains and plateaus, and finally, hot and dry in the north and east.
In conclusion, being that is on high altitude, this may challenge one who is not used to high altitudes, also the sun rays in both countries are straight and sunscreen inns highly recommended.
Clothing: Generally speaking with Rwanda the is need to pack trekking boots, rain coat and warm clothes for all the trekking, whereas Kenya it depends on the season, kindly contact us prior to your trip and our concierge will advise accordingly. Most importantly is to carry sunscreen and insect repellant
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Being Rwanda’s highlight tour, as challenging as it may be for 1st time trekkers it is face to face with these majestic creatures is undoubtedly the most thrilling wildlife experience of them all.
Please note: You must be over 15 years of age to obtain a gorilla viewing permit
