Questions, answered.

The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry seasons, June to September and December to February, when trails are firmer for gorilla trekking and wildlife gathers near water in Akagera. Rwanda can be visited all year; the wet seasons (March–May, October–November) are greener, quieter and sometimes cheaper.

Three days is enough for a gorilla trek from Kigali. Five to seven days lets you add Akagera's Big Five and Lake Kivu. Ten days covers the whole country, including chimpanzees and the canopy walk in Nyungwe.

A 1-day gorilla trek from Kigali costs US$1,795 per person, including the US$1,500 gorilla permit, transport, guide and lunch. A 2-day Akagera safari starts at US$1,195, a 3-day gorilla safari from about US$2,450, and our 7-day Rwanda Wildlife Safari and Gorilla Expedition (luxury lodges) is US$9,405 per person. We give firm quotes within 24 hours.

Yes. Uganda's Bwindi gorillas are 4–5 hours by road from Kigali, and Nairobi, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam are short flights away. Popular combinations are Rwanda gorillas plus the Maasai Mara or the Serengeti, and Rwanda plus Uganda for two gorilla treks.

Yes. We plan private trips for solo travellers and can match you with a shared vehicle to reduce costs where possible. Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa for solo travel, including for women.

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$1,500 per person per trek for foreign visitors. In Uganda permits cost US$800. Permits are issued by the national park authorities and we book them for you.

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is 15 years.

A gorilla trek usually takes between one and six hours return, depending on where the gorilla family is that day. Once you find them, you spend exactly one hour with the gorillas.

Most travellers describe it as the wildlife experience of a lifetime. The permit fee also funds the rangers, vets and communities that have helped mountain gorilla numbers grow.

Most visitors can get a Rwanda visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport or apply online in advance through the government's Irembo portal. The standard 30-day tourist visa is US$50 for most nationalities, including US, Canadian, UK and EU citizens. Check the latest rules before you travel, as policies change.

The East Africa Tourist Visa has historically covered Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya for 90 days with multiple entries for about US$100. Kenya has since introduced its own electronic travel authorisation, so confirm current availability with us or the official portals before you rely on it.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Many travellers carry one anyway, especially if combining Rwanda with Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania. Check with a travel clinic.

Yes. Rwanda is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in Africa, with low crime, a visible police presence and very clean, orderly cities. Use normal travel precautions, and avoid the immediate border areas with the eastern DRC unless advised otherwise.

Malaria is present in parts of Rwanda, especially at lower altitudes such as Akagera and around Lake Kivu. Risk is lower in the highlands around Kigali and Musanze. Speak to a travel doctor about antimalarials, and use repellent and nets.

Drink bottled or filtered water. We provide bottled water in all our vehicles.

The Rwandan franc (RWF). US dollars are widely accepted for tourism services such as permits, lodges and tours; bring clean notes printed after 2009. Cards are accepted in Kigali hotels and restaurants, and mobile money (MoMo) is everywhere.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. As a guide: driver-guides US$15–25 per day, gorilla trackers and rangers US$10–20 each, porters US$10–20 on top of the porter fee, and lodge staff via the tip box.

Yes. Rwanda has good paved roads and you drive on the right. You need a valid driving licence (an International Driving Permit is recommended). Self-drive rates start from about US$55 per day for a RAV4 and US$100 for a Land Cruiser Prado.

For gorilla trekking and safaris, most travellers prefer a driver-guide: they know the park procedures, find wildlife, handle permits and let you enjoy the view. Self-drive suits confident drivers on longer, flexible trips.

Yes, with prior arrangement. We prepare the cross-border documents (COMESA insurance and authorisation) for a fee. Tell us when you book.

Send us a message on WhatsApp, call, or use the trip planner on this site. We reply within 24 hours with a tailored itinerary and quote. A deposit secures permits and lodges, and the balance is due before arrival.

Every trip is private and fully customisable: dates, pace, lodges, activities and budget. Our packages are starting points.

Bank transfer, card payments and mobile money. We confirm the options and any card fees in your quote.

Yes. We provide meet-and-greet airport transfers in Kigali 24/7, from executive sedans to minibuses for groups.

Yes. Gorillas are only 2.5 hours from Kigali, so a 1-day trek or a weekend extension fits around most conferences. See our Kigali Business & Gorilla Weekend.

Layers (Kigali is mild, the volcanoes are cool), waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gardening gloves for gorilla trekking, long trousers, sun protection and insect repellent. Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda, so pack with fabric or zip bags.

Kinyarwanda is the national language; English, French and Swahili are official languages. English is widely spoken in tourism.

Umuganda is Rwanda's monthly community work day, on the last Saturday of each month from about 8:00 to 11:00. Most businesses close and traffic is restricted during those hours; we plan travel around it.