Rwanda
About Rwanda
| Currency | Rwandan franc (RWF) |
| Language | Kinyarwanda; French, English |
| Capital | Kigali |
The Republic of Rwanda is a country in Africa, bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. The population is about 12 million people and made up of mainly three groups, the Hutus, Tutsis, and Twa (Pygmy). The government of Rwanda is a republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government.
During World War I, Belgium began to administer Rwanda and Burundi and set up a system whereby the Tutsis were the dominant group. In 1959, the Hutus, the majority, ousted the Tutsi king, and following this, thousands of Tutsis were murdered or displaced. By 1962 Rwanda gained independence from Belgium. Tutsis who were in exile began to form the Rwandan Patriotic Front, and in 1990, waged the Rwandan Civil War. In April 1994, the president was killed when his airplane was shot down, igniting genocide that resulted in the killing of about 800,000 people in about 100 days.
Since the genocide of the mid-1990s, Rwanda has made much progress developing the economy and building infrastructure. A period of reconciliation is ongoing. However, some human rights groups point out that civil and political liberties and freedom of speech are quite restricted, and that the government does not tolerate opposition or criticism.
Rwanda has been referred to as The Land of A Thousand Hills. Visitors can experience beautiful scenery, wildlife, volcanoes, Parc National Des Volcans, and resorts. This country claims to have one-third of the Mountain Gorillas remaining in the world and one-third of Africa’s species of birds.
Recommended Vaccinations For Rwanda
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Cholera Vaccine
The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
There is a low risk of yellow fever in this country. According to the Rwandan Ministry of Health (instructions on yellow fever prevention measures, April 17, 2016), to enter Rwanda, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for travellers coming from yellow fever endemic countries and countries with active yellow fever outbreaks. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for travellers coming from yellow fever-free countries and without an active outbreak of yellow fever.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Recommended Medications For Rwanda
For Some Travellers
Anti-malarial Drugs
Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Rwanda
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Rwanda through contaminated food or water.
Chikungunya Fever
Chikungunya fever may occur in Rwanda.
Dengue Fever
Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.
Cholera
Cholera outbreaks occur in Rwanda. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Rwanda.
For Some Travellers
West Nile Fever
The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF)
Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.
Leishmaniasis
There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever
There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.
Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)
African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.
Meningitis
Meningitis occurs in Rwanda. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December-June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
African Tick Bite Fever
This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is found in this country. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.
Measles
There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Rwanda, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis occurs in Rwanda. Travellers to Rwanda are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Yellow Fever
There is a low risk of yellow fever in this country. According to the Rwandan Ministry of Health (instructions on yellow fever prevention measures, April 17, 2016), to enter Rwanda, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for travellers coming from yellow fever endemic countries and countries with active yellow fever outbreaks. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for travellers coming from yellow fever-free countries and without an active outbreak of yellow fever.
Rabies
Rabies occurs in Rwanda. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) and may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk.
Malaria
All areas of Rwanda are at high risk for malaria.
Safety & Security in Rwanda
Personal Safety
Crime is relatively low in Rwanda. Petty crime does occur, such as purse snatching, pickpocketing, mugging and theft from hotel rooms or vehicles. Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
Some violent crime does occur in Rwanda but rarely against foreigners.
Armed rebel and militia groups operate in DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces and Virunga Park. Borders may not be clearly marked, and there have been cross-border incursions and armed clashes. It is required to obtain permits from the Rwanda Development Board prior to entry to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, which is adjacent to Virunga Park. Use only official Kigali city buses and licensed taxis, which are orange-striped. Many secondary and unpaved roads are accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles but lack shoulders and become impassible during the rainy season, February to May and September to December, when flooding and mudslides occur.
Extreme Violence
Violence and criminal activity does occur in Rwanda. Grenade attacks have occurred sporadically since 2009, including in Southern Province, the capital of Kigali, and Musanze.
The United Nations has named April 7 as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide. Travellers should be particularly cautious around the time of the Genocide Commemorations.
Political Unrest
Rallies and protests sometimes occur and have turned violent in the past. Avoid large public gatherings.
Areas To Avoid
Avoid areas bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the towns of Cyangugu, Kibuye, and Gisenyi. Armed groups operate in these areas, and at times, create an unstable and unpredictable security situation.
Deadly grenade attacks have occurred in Kigali, Musanze and Southern Province.
Avoid travel to areas near the border of Burundi, including the Nyungwe Forest, due to the risk of armed conflict and banditry.
