Rwanda FAQs

• January, February and June to September are the best times to go for Mountain Gorilla Trekking.Although Rwanda can be visited all year round it is easier to trek for Mountain Gorillas during the dry months.

• March to May and October to December are the two rainy seasons where it will be difficult to trek.

• August to September – is the hottest time. But the nights can get cold.

Africa by Ayu has only partnered with operators and lodges that carry a valid insurance for their operations and are accredited by the relevant licensing authorities in each African country.

*Note – that we do not divulge the names of the tour operators we partner with.

Each hotel, lodge or camp included into an Africa by Ayu itinerary will be selected for the value for money offering it brings to each itinerary, after discussions with our partners in each African destination and careful consideration of all available options for your travel dates.

• Our team loves to curate Africa holidays and are happy to spend time to share our expertise with those clients who are keenly interested to book our curated itineraries, through us but we are compelled to bring in this policy as some guests attempt to obtain all information and then proceed to book on their own.

• Names of all hotels, lodges and camps will only be divulged upon payment of a non-refundable deposit. This will be set off against the cost of the tour booked with Africa by Ayu. Subsequent to the above deposit, we will divulge the names of hotels. If you wish, you are certainly free to request amendments to the hotels/itinerary and we will be happy to further curate the entire itinerary and suggest alternative names of hotels, subject to availability – (except on scheduled group tours where the accommodation cannot be changed unless the entire group requests it).

• Accommodation cannot be held unless an advance is paid on the due date.

The highlight of the tour will be the time spent with Mountain Gorillas. But even the Golden Monkey tracking experience will be unique and exciting.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking:

To get to the gorilla families you may have to engage in a challenging hike through mountain forests

Relevant information and tips for gorilla trekking:

• You will be called for an early morning meeting at the national parks administration office before starting the trek.

• As more than 8 visitors in a group would disturb the gorillas the guests will be divided into groups.

• The gorilla trackers will go in search of gorilla families early morning and inform their location.

• Tracking can take between 6 and 8 hours. The terrain can be steep with a difference of altitude of about 500m.

• Always follow the instructions of the Rangers/Trackers.

• You can stay with the gorillas and observe their behavior for a maximum of 1 hour.

• Please make sure that you are free of a cold/flu or any other communicable disease.

The guides on your tour of Rwanda are highly knowledgeable and will make your tour exciting and enjoyable. Rwanda is an uncrowded tourist destination.

Sri Lankan Passport Holders can apply online for the visa prior to travelling to Rwanda. Apply online at https://www.migration.gov.rw

It is advisable to have the correct amount of US dollars in cash available on entry to Rwanda to pay for the Visa. If you are hoping to visit neighboring Uganda and/or Kenya you can obtain an East Africa Tourist Visa which gives you access to all three countries.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of travel and should have three blank pages available.

Africa by Ayu has connections to the rights camps and lodges in Rwanda which are great for multi generational family holidays but not with toddlers. For Gorilla trekking the minimum age is 15 years while the minimum age for Chimp tracking is 12 years. Please enquire for specific details for your tour.

The currency is the Rwandan Franc

US dollars - dated after 2006 are accepted. A better exchange rate is given for larger bills.

Economy is largely cash based. Credit Cards are accepted only in major hotels. It is always advisable to bring some US Dollar currency in small denominations when traveling outside big cities.

Kinyarwanda is the national language. Along with Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili are the official languages.

Travel insurance will be required before the final payment for your tour as tour operators and camps require your insurance details. Please ensure that the insurance is comprehensive and covers any medical situations such as hospitalisation, emergency air-evacuation as well as cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and loss of baggage.

Most urban areas have good medical facilities. If you do not have adequate cover you risk being turned away from the hospital.

Although there is no mandatory requirement it is advisable to take the Yellow Fever Vaccine before entering Rwanda. In Sri Lanka, you can obtain the Yellow Fever vaccine at the MRI.

Malaria prophylactics are recommended. Please consult your Doctor prior to travel.

Lodges provide mosquito nets. To avoid mosquito and insect bites, wear long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night and use an insect repellent which contains at least 20-30% DEET. Although a medical kit is available at each lodge or safari operator, please bring all personal medications.

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance must be taken by each traveller, prior to the final payment of your tour. Medical care in Rwanda cannot be compared with the West. It can be hygienically problematic. For serious medical treatment you may need to be evacuated to another country. If you do not have adequate cover you risk being turned away from the hospital.

No one at Africa by Ayu is qualified to give medical advice and as such none of the above should be taken as authorised medical advice but are intended to be guidelines and general tips. Please consult your Doctor prior to travel and obtain accurate and upto date independent medical advice.

Flights

Flights between camps are booked on a seat rate basis and may require at least 2 stops before reaching your destination. These are not private flights. Times for flights are scheduled 24hrs in advance and weather conditions may affect the time of departure so we request that you be flexible and be ready 30 minutes prior to departure times.

Baggage restrictions on flights

• On scenic flights and light aircraft transfers, strict baggage restrictions apply. Weight, size and style of bag is strictly enforced.

• Each passenger is only allowed a 20Kg soft (duffel) bag (includes hand luggage and camera equipment). You can book an extra seat for excess luggage.

• Large suitcases and rigid, inflexible luggage with “pull along” handle frames and wheels and bags which have soft sides but have a solid or rigid “wheely” frame within the base of the bag are NOT ALLOWED

• These restrictions are enforced for the security of guests as the weight balance is important on flights

• Pilots will refuse any luggage which does not fit within the luggage pods of the aircraft.

• Free storage of large travel bags can be arranged prior to the flight at the point of departure (prior notice required when confirming the tour) and any transportation of these large baggage to a different destination can be arranged at an additional cost

As a general rule bottled mineral water is recommended.

Please inform any allergies or dietary restrictions prior to confirming a tour.

Voltage in Rwanda is 230V. Wall sockets require a standard Euro plug. So it is recommended that you carry international travel adapters to be used in areas/camps where there is electricity.

Fully charged spare batteries should always be carried on safari and have sufficient memory cards for your images and videos – these are difficult to purchase here.

In most areas cellular phone coverage and internet connections will be available. Some, will have limited Wi-Fi connection in main lounge areas.

• A 24 hour local point of contact will be provided to you for all emergencies.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is not permitted on any flights

Tipping is entirely at your discretion and will be greatly appreciated by those who provide a good service.

A rough tipping guideline for Rwanda

• Guides: US10 to 15 dollars per day per guest or per couple

• General lodge staff: US10 dollars per day per guest or per couple (a tip box is usually available at all camps and lodges and this will be distributed among the staff)

• Hotel/restaurant - a service charge is added to the bill but if the service has been great, then a tip not exceeding 10% of the bill is customary.

• It is not customary to tip lodge managers

• To wear on safari: Comfortable and casual clothing, that you can wash and wear in muted colours - khaki, green, beige.

• It can be quite cold, in the evenings and warms up during the day, so bring layers you can peel off or put on as needed as well as a jacket and hat.

• For walking - wear a good pair of closed shoes (hiking boots not required) and clothing must be neutral colours (beige, khaki, olive, stone). You must not wear dark or bright colours.

• For Gorilla Trekking hiking boots is required.

• When relaxing at lodges: casual clothing

• For evenings: Long-sleeved shirts, trousers and shoes to avoid mosquito bites

• When traveling during cold months: Jeans or safari trousers

• A lightweight waterproof jacket/poncho in case of rain

• Swimwear as some lodges and camps do have a pool

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip salve

• Torch

• Binoculars and camera equipment (with spare batteries and SD/Memory cards)

Rwanda attracts many tourists and is considered a safe country especially on an organized tour, as visitors on organized tours are shielded from public areas in cities where theft and crime can be more common like anywhere else in the world. The operators that Africa by Ayu partners with will always have your safety and security in mind throughout your tour. However, throughout the tour we offer, we recommend that you do not take any expensive jewelry, watches etc and ensure your bags can be locked.

Safaris may bring you up close in contact with wild animals and all instructions of your Guide should be strictly followed. However, you should take responsibility for your own safety. Some lodges or operators will require that you sign an indemnity form on your arrival.

A 24 hour local point of contact will be provided to you for all emergencies.