Rwanda is known to be a luxury tour destination in the East African region, despite having few national parks, Rwanda strategically markets her beauty to be on the top game list attracting thousands of visitors in a year.
Rwanda is home to the giant gentle mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park, other primates are in forested areas of Nyungwe national park and Gishwati-mukula national park, not forgetting the big five game in Akagera national park. The outbreak of COVID-19 however did not spare the tourism industry, since then a lot has changed, the government of Rwanda has put stringent rules and guidelines to entrants in order to minimize the spread of the virus. Some of the rules and guidelines that those intending to travel should be aware about are as follows;
- Those intending to travel to Rwanda must fill in the passenger locator form and upload it on the website of Rwanda Biometrical center. (www.rbc.gov.rw)
- Mandatory testing of travelers at all entry points arriving in Rwanda. Rapid tests are not allowed but rather SARS-CoV2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is the only allowed test and results are out within 24 hours. The test costs usd 60 in designated health facilities.
- There is a mandatory screening on Land Borders to those who connect from the neighboring countries, temperature screening is paramount as well the traveler will undergo COVID-19 testing.
- After the test at Kigali international airport, travelers are then transferred to the waiting hotel until results are ready with in 24 hours. The hotels are favorable and have been selected by the government of Rwanda at a friendly rate of usd 30 to 450 depending on the traveler’s budget.
- Travelers with symptomatic signs of covid-19 will be considered suspected carriers and will be quarantined following test procedures at the nearest hospitals. Unfortunately, those who will test positive will not be allowed to proceed further before treatment at designated healthy facility on their own cost
- However, all travelers will still be required to present a certificate for testing negative for COVID-19 within 120 hours of travel. The certificates must indicate the term “PCR”, travelers will again be subjected to another confirmatory test upon arrival. This test should be done with in 5 days to travel.
- Wearing a face mask is a must while in public and maintain a social distance.
- Travelers exiting the country must again present a negative PCR test before leaving within 120 hours in case a traveler exhibits covid-19 symptoms will be isolated for testing in health care facilities. Travelers are advised to book appointment of 2 days before they travel to avoid inconvenience.
- Other than a COVID-19 test, one needs a visa to travel to Rwanda and a valid passport for at least 6 months upon entry. Visas can be obtained online from respective embassy’s or from Rwanda High commission. Alternatively, there is an East African tourist a tourist visa valid for 30-days.
- A valid Yellow fever certificate is also a basic requirement for travelling to Rwanda.