Rwanda Safari Frequently Asked Questions
The official languages of Rwanda are French, Kinyarwanda, English and Swahili. English is spoken widely within the travel and tourism industry.
What currency is used in Rwanda?
The currency used throughout the country is the Rwandan franc. Mastercard and Visa are accepted at major hotels and restaurants. ATMs are rare in Rwanda so please be sure to find and use them in large cities, airports or accommodations. Local currency will be dispensed.
Do I need a visa and passport to travel to Rwanda?
A visa is required when travelling to Rwanda from the United States and Canada. Currently this may be obtained online or it is also possible upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. A valid passport is mandatory for travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Rwanda.
When is the best time to travel to Rwanda?
The best time to travel to Rwanda is between December and February or June to September. These periods are when temperatures are more moderate and there is less rain. As an equatorial country with gorilla habitat, rain can be expected daily.
Is there transportation within Rwanda?
The most common forms of local transportation include moto-taxis, buses as well as mini-buses. Most tourists get around the country on small or private tours that often use minivans and sedans.
Is Rwanda a family friendly destination?
Rwanda may be difficult for those travelling with young children as one of the main attractions, gorilla trekking, is not permitted for those under the age of 15. Malaria is still a prominent threat throughout the country. Also keep in mind the rugged terrain, clean but basic accommodations, and necessary fitness level for travelling here.
How welcoming is Rwanda to LGBTQ travellers?
While Rwanda’s views on LGBTQ travel are open and homosexuality is not illegal, the lifelstyle is still a taboo topic, particularly in rural areas. They ask that tourists and business visitors alike are sensitive to this cultural belief. Discretion should be practiced in all sites of antiquity, and day to day touring as well as city and village interaction.
What if any vaccinations are required or suggested for Rwanda?
There are no compulsory vaccinations required for Rwanda, however, we recommend you consult with your local travel clinic for the most up to date recommendations, particularly in regards to malaria prophylactics. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.
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Highly recommended! Joseph created a fantastic, customized tour for my family. He listened to our many criteria and put together a wonderful package. He was always available and very responsive. Since we were on a safari that utilized flights within Kenya, there was no opportunity to enjoy Joseph's company (as others have commented). However, he made it a point to come to the airport at the start of our adventure and make sure we were all set. This was a small gesture that epitomized his character (I don't think this would have happened with a large tour provider). March 2023
This was our first safari and such an unforgettable experience. Communication with Joseph, the tour operator, was quick and easy. The proposed itinerary he provided was informative and we were able to easily modify it before finalizing everything. We enjoyed all the places we stayed at and there was something unique about each one. The game drives were just wow (super sawa sawa!). The tour guides/drivers (John in Kenya and Rajam in Tanzania) put in a lot of effort in finding the animals at the top of our list (leopard, rhino, calves, as well as a cheetah hunt and the most awesome selfie with an elephant). Each game drive was unique. There were so many encounters that left us awestruck—we’re still ooh ahhh-ing over our pictures and processing everything we experienced. Joseph was with us for the whole trip; he was quite knowledgeable about birds, which was a bonus. He also assisted with logistics (providing documents quickly for visas needed prior to arrival, getting us through border crossings, and arranging dinner reservations at a restaurant we wanted to go to prior to taking us to the airport). This was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had and we have White Plains Safaris to thank for that. They are reliable, prompt, friendly, and well worth the money. February 2023
Our experience with White Plains Safaris and Joseph was amazing! The service was impeccable since the very beginning: during the reservation process, Joseph was extremely helpful, flexible and very honest. After booking, he supported us in any way he could, including paying for our Visas as we had some issues doing that online by ourselves! He was also very helpful in creating the itinerary, which proved to be amazing as it offered great game drives and diversity of landscape. Things kept being perfect throughout our trip; the accommodations he had reserved were very nice and always positioned perfectly, to avoid extra driving. During the game drives he was very accommodating and always asking for our feedback to make sure we had the best time. He brought us in amazing spots thanks to his unstoppable Land Cruiser and we got to see many animals including 3 leopards from very close! We also enjoyed his company very much and he was always able to answer our questions and providing interesting insights on the animals, the parks and Kenya in general. We always felt safe and well taken care of, so I would (and will) strongly recommend Joseph and White Plains to anyone looking for a good time in Kenya and Tanzania. January 2023
White Plains Safari provided me with an incredible experience, they were really easy people to get to know and it felt like I had made another friend at the end of my trip. Their service was excellent, they were really outgoing and did their ultimate best to show us everything they could, even if it meant going out of their way in order to do so, they were very reliable and I personally had no concerns regarding their reliability. In terms of the tour itself, I would one hundred percent recommend my trip to Kenya to anyone, especially with White Plains Safaris. White Plains Safaris helped make my trip an experience I will never forget. May 2022
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Milan Nanavati, USA
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Esperanza Florendo, USA
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Matteo Fogli, Germany
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Shaun, Great Britain