Brief History about Rwanda – Archaeological excavations reveal evidence of scattered occupancy of the Iron Age, hunters and Stone Age settlers, who used iron tools, and locally crafted pots.

The hunters belonged to the Twa ancestral lineage, and still in existence up to date as pygmy hunters and gatherers. The historians also suggest other ethnic groups entered Rwanda in the earlier years, with the famous ones being the Tutsi and Hutu.

Forward to 1884, the Germans were assigned to the Rwandan territories in the Berlin conference, as part of German East Africa, thus the start of the colonial era.

In 1894, a famous explorer by the names of Gustav Adolf Von Gotzen toured the country through the southeast to Lake Kivu where he met with the king.

During world war 1, the Germans governed both Rwanda and Burundi following the League of Nations mandate which regarded it as Ruanda-Urundi.

There was a divide between the Hutu and Tutsi, a move that created a rift between two nations that were once inseparable; thus leading to the 1959 Rwanda revolution that saw the Hutu kill and displace thousands of the Tutsi.

The pro-Hutu Belgians held a referendum to abolish the monarch, and as well as separate Burundi from Rwanda.

On 1st July 1962, Rwanda gained its independence and the first president was Juvenal Habyarimana. Juvenal gained power through a military coup.

No situation changed the way through to 6 April 1994 when the Rwanda Genocide came to an end after a bloody battle between the Hutu and Tutsi that lasted for over 100 days and cost the lives of over 25,000 thousand Rwandans including the marginal Twa people who were not directly participating in the conflict.

As Rwandan Patriotic Front took control of the situation, there was a move for reconciliation between all conflicting parties.

An international criminal tribunal for Rwanda and Gacaca, a traditional village court system was put in place to eliminate the conflicts.  Fortunate enough, the country’s economy was revamped from 2000, with improved security, a thriving tourism industry, and modern and cultural institutions, all under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.

You may wonder why Rwanda, with its small size, still ranks among the top holiday destinations, not only in Africa but the world as well.

A few yet very unique attractions set them apart. These included the good climate, un-segregative hospitality, variety of modern and traditional accommodation facilities, and Mountain Gorillas; a rare species of gorillas only found in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo and nowhere else in the world.

It’s now possible to visit Rwanda for any reason. This could be mountain gorilla trekking, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, cultural encounters, and much more.

Make it a point to include Rwanda in your bucket list, as an option for your honeymoon, summer or winter holiday, birding, research, wildlife, group, solo, or Business vacation.

The prime safari offer here is the Rwanda gorilla trekking experience. We implore you to choose a Rwandan gorilla package and get ready to create memories.

Most clients prefer to trek Rwanda gorillas because of the short distance to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali.

This is what makes Rwanda gorilla trekking even better. You get to travel less and enjoy more!

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On the whole, Rwanda experiences four climatic seasons: a longer rainy season from March to May, followed by a longer dry season from June to August, a shorter rainy season between October and November, and a shorter dry season from December to February.

The months from June to the end of September are usually dry, with temperatures starting around 19 degrees Celsius in June and rising to about 20 degrees Celsius by late September.

July is the driest month, with rainfall as low as 14mm, yet temperatures remain moderate enough for comfortable travel. This season presents warm temperatures that dry up the hills and gentle slopes, making it ideal for gorilla trekking, especially in Volcanoes National Park, where slopes are gently inclined.

Gorilla trekkers prefer this season because the dry weather makes it easier to navigate the challenging but exciting trek to observe the great apes in the cool bamboo forests and grasslands of the Volcanoes.

Chimpanzee trekking in Gishwati-Mukura National Park is also favorable during this time, as the quieter forests allow trekkers to hear chimps calling out more easily. The still trees create dense canopies beneath which creeping plants rise, and trekking through this vegetation—feet crunching on dry leaves while marveling at the towering trees—is truly rewarding.

Birds play lavishly, flying widely and wildly under the beaming rays of sunshine, while other animals lay out to sunbathe.

The sights are immensely captivating. As temperatures rise in July and water sources dry up, the big mammals of Akagera National Park gather closer to the remaining water sources.

This season presents an opportunity to witness a wide range of animals displaying their survival tactics to the delight of tourists.

This period is often called the peak season by tour operators and travelers. Given the beautiful and favorable conditions, prices are generally high across all services due to demand.

Often, gorilla trekking permits are out of stock during the peak season, typically sold out six months in advance. It is therefore advisable to book permits early through a licensed tour operator.

The low season includes the months of March, April, May, and October-November, making up Rwanda’s wet seasons, with rainfall reaching up to 200mm. These months bring quick bursts of rain, but once cleared, the skies are a deep blue, creating perfect scenes for photography and filming.

The hills become slippery and challenging to trek, adding an exciting edge for the brave, young, and energetic adventurers.

For those willing to dream big, travel to far-off lands brings beauty beyond what our imaginations can offer.

An advantage of the low season is that prices are generally lower, with discounts on services as high as 30%. Budget travelers often take advantage of this period to explore extensively.

If you’re feeling that your travel plans are overdue but want to plan smartly, then the low season is your time. However, any time of the year is a good time to travel in Rwanda.

Whether to travel in peak or low season depends on one’s sense of adventure; by the time one decides to visit Rwanda, money becomes a smaller factor.

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Tourists can easily obtain a Rwanda visa upon arrival. Single-entry visas cost $50 each. This article guides you on how to make an online application, lists visa-free countries, and provides the requirements for a Rwanda visa application.

A visa is an official document that allows its holder to enter, leave, or stay in a specific country for a designated period. The most common types include tourist, student, work, and transit visas.

Rwanda visas are valid for 90 days and can be renewed if necessary. The visa processing time ranges from 4 to 14 days.

The East African Tourist Visa is valid for 90 days and costs $100, while a single-entry tourist visa costs $50 and is valid for 30 days.

How to Obtain a Rwanda Visa

Individuals interested in a Rwanda visa can submit their application either in person or online to the Rwanda embassy in their country. Required documents include a valid passport and a prepaid, self-addressed, traceable return envelope.

Travelers’ passports should have at least six months’ validity. If this requirement cannot be met, travelers may seek written permission from the embassy before making travel arrangements.

Types of Visas in Rwanda

The following are the main types of visas available in Rwanda:

1. Class V-1(s) – Single-Entry Visas: These visas are issued to foreigners visiting Rwanda for non-work-related purposes. This excludes citizens of DR Congo, Mauritius, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore. Single-entry visas are intended for specific purposes other than recreation, sightseeing, visits, or holidays.
2. Tourist Visas: Tourist visas are available in 11 classes, ranging from T1 to T12 (excluding T6). T1 and T2 are basic tourist visas, T3 is for family visits, T4 is for those visiting diplomats, T5 is for job seekers, T7 is a business visa, T8 is for medical treatment, T9 is for group tourists, T10 is for itinerant businesspersons, T11 is a bridging visa, and T12 is the East African Tourist Visa.
3. Visitors’ Pass: This visa is free for East African Community citizens. Citizens of Uganda and Kenya need only present a valid national ID at Rwanda’s borders for entry. This pass allows a stay of up to six months, after which an appropriate resident permit is required for longer stays.
4. Class Q1 – Transit/Crew Visas: This visa is issued to crew members, valid for 72 hours, and can be renewed once.
5. Temporary Resident Permits: These permits are valid for only 15 days from the time of entry. If a stay exceeds this period, penalties apply. The permit types are based on the intended activities of the visa holder.

Rwanda Visa Costs

Visa costs vary depending on the type:

• Single-Entry and Multiple-Entry Visas: Both are valid for 30 days. Single-entry visas cost $30, while multiple-entry visas cost $60. Neither can be extended, but holders may apply to change visa status if they wish to stay beyond 30 days.
• Class Q1 – Transit Visas: Transit visas cost $30. They are non-renewable, except in exceptional cases, and may only be extended by an additional 72 hours.
• Class T1 and T2 – Tourist Visas: Tourist visas cost $50 and are valid for 90 days, with options to extend for an additional 90 days or change visa status.
• Class T3 – Family Visa: Family visas cost $50 and are valid for 90 days. Holders cannot work in Rwanda but may change visa status and extend the visa for up to nine months.
• Class T4 – Diplomatic Visa: Diplomatic visas are free, valid for two years, and permit work for up to 90 days. Extensions are not allowed; diplomats wishing to stay longer must apply for a new visa.
• Class T6 – Conference Visa: This visa includes T6-1 (single-entry) at $30 and T6-2 (multiple-entry) at $50. Work is not permitted beyond conference activities. Extensions are available in certain cases for up to 30 days.
• Class T7 – Business Visa: Business visas cost $50 and are valid for 90 days. Work is not allowed, though holders may upgrade to another visa class. The visa may be extended once.
• Class T8 – Medical Treatment Visa: This visa costs $20 and is valid for 90 days. Neither work nor a change of status is allowed, but the visa may be extended for another 90 days.
• Class T9 – Group Tourist Visa: Group tourist visas cost $100 and are valid for 90 days. No work or change of status is permitted, though extensions for up to 180 days are available.
• Class T12 – East African Multiple-Entry Visa: This visa costs $100 and is valid for 90 days. It allows travel between Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda without needing additional visas. Work and visa extensions are not permitted.

Ease of Obtaining Rwanda Visas

Like other countries, obtaining a Rwanda visa requires certain documents: a valid passport, completed application form, prepaid return envelope, passport photo, hotel reservation, invitation letter, flight itinerary, and any other supporting documents.

With all necessary documents, it takes about 4 to 14 business days to process a Rwandan visa. Applications can be submitted online, with payment upon arrival at the airport.

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Rwanda is a landlocked country in east-central Africa, known as the “country of a thousand hills.” Its capital, Kigali, is located in the center. Despite its small size, Rwanda has a high population density. The monarchy was overthrown in 1962, and ethnic tensions peaked in 1994.

Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Virunga Mountains are in the northwest, while Lake Kivu lies to the west.

The climate is warm, with heavy rainfall in some areas. Wildlife includes gorillas, zebras, and lions. Rwanda has four official languages and a rich cultural heritage.

18 Rwandan Facts you should Know

See detailed facts about Rwanda below.

• Rwanda is a landlocked country in east-central Africa, located south of the Equator. Known as the “country of a thousand hills” because of its stunning environment, Kigali, the capital city, is situated on the Rugánwa River in the center of the country.
• Rwanda has one of the highest population densities in Sub-Saharan Africa despite its small size. Both Burundi and Rwanda share a lengthy history of monarchical rule.
• Unlike Burundi, Rwanda’s monarchy was overthrown by a Hutu-led uprising just before the country gained independence in 1962. In 1994, ethnic tensions between the majority Hutus and the minority Tutsi factions reached a peak.
• Rwanda’s economic and social fabric was devastated by civil conflict and genocide. The years that followed were marked by reconciliation and reconstruction between these ethnic groups.
• Rwanda is bordered to the north by Uganda, to the east by Tanzania, to the south by Burundi, and to the west by Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• A range of mountains runs north to south along the Congo-Nile divide. The elevation decreases from the magnificent volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains in the northwest, where Mount Karisímbi peaks at 14,787 feet, down to 4,000 feet in the swampy Kagera River valley in the east.
• The interior highlands consist of valleys and rolling hills, which give way to a low-lying depression along the shores of Lake Kivu, west of the Congo-Nile divide.
• Most of Rwanda’s rivers are located on the eastern side of the Congo-Nile divide. The Kagera River, the primary eastern river, defines much of Rwanda’s border with Tanzania and Burundi.
• The best volcanic lava and alluvial soils are found along the lower parts of the main river basins in the northwest.
• Temperatures in Rwanda are warm year-round, averaging 21°C in Kigali. However, there are considerable variations in the northwest, where volcanic regions experience constant rainfall and cooler average temperatures.
• The northwest region receives approximately 1,140 millimeters of annual rainfall, concentrated in two wet seasons (February-May and October-December).
• A variety of animal species, including zebras, buffaloes, impalas, lions, warthogs, hippos, and baboons, can be found in Akagera National Park. Reforestation projects have reintroduced eucalyptus trees, though not in sufficient numbers to effectively combat erosion.
• The white sandy beaches of Lake Kivu are surrounded by rich, Mediterranean-style vegetation, contrasting with the papyrus swamps along Rwanda’s eastern border. The mountain gorilla, Rwanda’s most famous tourist attraction, lives among these volcanoes.
• While in Rwanda, don’t miss the chance to explore the exciting national parks, including Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
• Rwanda has four official languages: Kinyarwanda (also spoken in Rwanda), Swahili, French, and English. Rundi, a language spoken in Burundi, is closely related to Kinyarwanda.
• Although English was declared the primary language of education in 2008, traditionally, only a small percentage of the population spoke English and French. Swahili is widely used in urban areas and remains the primary language in other neighboring countries.
• Rwanda’s cultural heritage includes dynasty poems, praise songs, and dances that strengthened the Tutsi kingship. A new set of customs has evolved, emphasizing a distinct cultural stream associated with Hutu ancestry.
• Regional dances, such as the famous “hoe dance” of the north, are celebrated throughout Rwanda.

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