Same-sex relationships are not criminalised in Rwanda, but there is no legal recognition of same-sex unions and no explicit anti-discrimination law for sexual orientation. Social attitudes range from discreetly accepting in Kigali to conservative in rural areas. We travel with discretion, avoid public displays of affection, and use vetted, welcoming suppliers. Your Tour Leader will brief the group on respectful conduct so the experience stays safe, relaxed and joyful.
Overview
- Capital: Kigali. Major gateway: Kigali International (KGL).
- Language: Kinyarwanda (national), English, French and Swahili are official; English is widely used in tourism.
- Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF). ATMs common in Kigali. USD is accepted at many lodges for tips and some payments.
- VAT/Sales tax: 18% VAT is included in most prices; tourist VAT refunds are generally not available.
- Power: 230V / 50Hz. Plugs Type C & J. Bring a universal adaptor/power bank.
- Water: Tap water is not recommended for drinking—use sealed bottled water (provided at quality hotels/lodges).
- Driving: Right-hand driving. Roads are improving but can be slow; we use professional drivers.
- Time: UTC+2 year-round (no daylight saving).
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travellers. Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from/through a Yellow Fever risk area. Malaria is present—speak to your clinic about prophylaxis; bring insect repellent.
- Local culture: Friendly, modest, community-minded. Dress respectfully, especially outside Kigali and at memorial sites. Always ask before photos. Plastic bags are banned—use reusable totes.
- Food & drink: Hearty, simple flavours—brochettes (grilled meats), isombe (cassava leaves), ugali, matoke, lake tilapia, excellent coffee & tea. Great veg options; bottled water only.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm exactly which airport(s) to use (typically KGL). Some itineraries connect onward regionally—consider an open-jaw ticket if starting/ending in different hubs.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional tickets are hand-luggage only unless you add a checked bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the land itinerary, present fare options, and assist if airlines adjust timings.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Where flights are required (e.g., regional links), they’re usually included unless otherwise stated. Rwanda has limited domestic air; many routes are scenic overland.
- Fares remain subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements; any increases/refunds will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; check in 3 hours before international and 90 minutes before regional departures.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory—medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. Ensure your policy covers mountain/forest trekking (for primate experiences), medical evacuation, and any optional adventures.
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed local specialist guides & park rangers at primate parks and cultural sites. Your leader handles logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the thoughtful touches that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to explore Kigali’s cafés and lodge cuisine. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance.
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is customary in tourism but always at your discretion. USD is commonly used; RWF also welcome.
- Restaurants/Bars: 10–12% if service isn’t included.
- Taxis/E-hailing: round up.
- Hotel porters: US$1–2 per bag (or RWF equivalent).
- Housekeeping: US$1–3 per room per night.
- Local guide/driver (day touring): US$10–20 per person per day (group size dependent).
- Primate trekking teams: we’ll brief you on the customary pooled tips for rangers/trackers/porters on the day.
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): US$5–10 per person per day—aligned with common global norms.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, visa/eVisa printout (many nationalities get visa on arrival; we’ll advise).
- Insurance details, bank cards, and some small-denomination USD/RWF for tips/markets.
- Adapters (Type C/J), power bank, unlocked phone for eSIM/SIM.
- Layers & modest clothing; a light waterproof is useful year-round.
- Sturdy walking shoes/boots (essential for forest trails), long trousers, and socks that cover ankles; insect repellentand sun protection.
- Personal meds, basic first-aid; speak to your clinic about malaria prophylaxis.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
LGBTQ+ Information
We currently don't have this information available.
Additional Information
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Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and its partners operate within Rwandan law and industry standards (and applicable international standards); participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.
