Rwanda also known as the land of 1000 hills is a landlocked country situated in East Central Africa. The Mountainous country is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital city is none other than Kigali that hosts many residential suites including the offices of the president and government ministries.
Since Rwanda got her independence in 1962, Kigali is the economic, cultural and transport hub for the country. Kigali is also the main air gateway for all destinations in the country.
The Republic of Rwanda like her neighbour the pearl of Africa is a landlocked country situated in the East Africa region gifted with grassland and rolling hills. The country is found approximately 75 miles south of the Equator, 1,250 miles east of Atlantic Ocean and 880 miles west of Indian Ocean but all in all covering a land expanse of about 26,338 square kilometres.
Rwanda’s Climate
Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate, with lower temperatures than are typical for equatorial countries due to its high elevation. The hottest months of the year in Rwanda are November, January, and March, temperatures rising up to 300 Celsius. The rainy months are April, May, September, and December with the wettest month being May. As a result of higher altitude Rwanda experiences more cold weather; the best times are December-March and June-September
Currency
Rwanda, especially the great city of Kigali is well serviced with a few international banks, such as Stanbic, and a few modern local ones such as the Bank of Rwanda and the Bank de Kigali. The unit of currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Coins in this currency are in the following denominations: 10, 20, 50, 100; and notes in some of the following denominations: 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 in circulation concurrently with British Pounds Sterling, US Dollars, German Marks (rare), Swiss Francs (rare), French Francs, Euro, Japanese Yen (rare), SA Rand notes.
Official Language
In Rwanda, Kinyarwanda, French, and English are the official languages. However, since the 1994 genocide, the complications of relations with the current French government, the return of numerous Tutsi refugees who went to Uganda (Anglophone), and also the intervention of the United States, English have been used by more of the population and administration.
Time Zone
Rwanda Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).
Population
Rwanda has a population of over 12.6 million living on 26,383 sq km of land and there is the most dense populated mainland African country. The population is young and predominantly rural with a density among the highest in Africa.
Immigration and visa information
Traveling in Rwanda you’re required to obtain a visa and yellow fever vaccination may also be required depending on your specific itinerary. Most visas to Rwanda last 90 days but can often be renewed or extended. Visa to Rwanda is issued on arrival or from Rwanda Embassies. Optionally you can apply online at the official website www.migration.gov.rw or www.irembo.go.rw only. There is no single affiliated agent that is authorized to apply for a visa on your behalf. A passport must be valid for six months after entry into the country and a single entry tourist visa cost $ 30 that valid for 30 days
How to get to Rwanda
Rwanda has one international gateway for arrival by air, Kigali International Airport which is located at Kanombe 10 km east of Kigali’s city center. Rwanda has country has its own airline called RwandAir, which has international flights in different destinations including Uganda, Kenya UK, Belgium, China, Dubai, and other countries where RwandAir flies. It also receives different international airlines like Brussels Airline, Ethiopian Airline, Kenya Airline, Qatar Airline, KLM Airline, and others. One may also opt to enter Rwanda through road by using neighboring countries including Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi.
What attracts travellers to Rwanda?
Situated a few metres below the Equator, Rwanda has three commonly known national parks including the Akagera national park, the largest national park famous for the African Big five, Nyungwe forest national park famous for the largest and thickest forest, Nyungwe canopy walk trail and the chimpanzees and finally the Volcanoes national park well known for the gorilla trekking experience and golden monkey tracking.
Further the country is blessed with five volcanoes including Karisimbi the highest volcano, Bisoke, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga.
