• Rwanda has announced the reopening of tourism activities as well as the resumption of international travel for visitors arriving by charter flight, effective 17 June 2020 and for visitors arriving by scheduled commercial flights as of 1 August 2020. The well-being of all travellers is Rwanda’s top priority and the country has put in place robust health and safety guidelines to ensure this.
• All travellers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 120 hours of departure (meaning travellers must be tested and get results within 5 days of their first flight). Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted. A second PCR test will be conducted upon arrival, with results delivered after 24 hours during which time they will remain in designated hotels at their own cost.
• Currently, international visitors arriving by flight can visit Rwanda. There are no restrictions based on nationality or point of departure. These visitors can enter Rwanda on the condition of fulfilling the health and safety requirements outlined in these FAQs and this information note.
• Together with the private sector, Visit Rwanda is offering attractive all-inclusive tourism packages for Rwandans and foreign residents. Visa on arrival remains available for all visitors to the country.
• All tourism activities, including primate trekking within Rwanda’s national parks, have now resumed in line with enhanced COVID-19 prevention measures.
• Cancellations/postponement policies have been updated to accommodate travellers impacted during this time and can be accessed here.
• Frequently asked questions with more details on visiting Rwanda can be accessed here.

National Parks

Rwanda’s national parks are now open for guests. To ensure the safety of all people visiting Rwanda’s national parks and wildlife, domestic tourists are required to test negative for COVID-19 48 prior to visiting all national parks, including Akagera National Park (more details below). Please view the full guidelines for each national park before visiting here:

Volcanoes National Park
Nyungwe National Park
Akagera National Park

Tourists to Rwanda’s national parks are now required to complete a guest registration and indemnity form in advance of their visit and submit the form electronically to the park. Please find the forms to print and sign below:

Volcanoes National Park (submit to: anaclet.budahera@rdb.rw)
Nyungwe National Park (submit to: thierry.hitimana@rdb.rw)
Akagera National Park Registration & Indemnity forms (submit both to: akagera@africanparks.org or provide on arrival)

COVID-19 Precautionary Measures

• All visitors are expected to test negative for COVID-19 within 120 hours prior to arrival. Tourists will take a second COVID-19 test on arrival and prior to visiting any tourist attraction.
• Domestic tourists visiting all national parks, including Akagera, are required to test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours prior to visiting these attractions. A private test centre has been set up at Petit Stade in Kigali by appointment only. Please call +250 788 313 800 or email reservations@rdb.rw to arrange your testing appointment.
• Tourists without negative test results will not be admitted entry to the parks. The cost for the test will be inclusive of the park booking fee.

For more information about Rwanda’s response and daily updates on COVID-19, please visit the Rwanda Biomedical Centre’s website here.