Rwanda
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Rwanda’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Rwanda is generally safe and crime levels are relatively low, but street crime does occur. There have been reports of burglary, theft and mugging in Kigali in recent months. You should take precautions with valuables and remain vigilant. See Crime
The security situation near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi remains unstable, and there hashave previously been armed attacks in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes National Parks and neighbouring areas. If you’re travelling near the DRC or Burundi borders, you should be aware of the risk of attacks and Government of Rwanda security operations. Exercise caution and keep up to date with developments on the current situation, including via your tour operator, the local media and this travel advice. See Local travel
Demonstrations may take place during July 2022 in the city of Goma, eastern DRC, against international interests. British Nationals should remain alert for demonstrations and look to leave any affected areas.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Terrorist attacks in Rwanda can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Visitors should be aware of recent confirmed cases of Ebola in Beni, North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the same province as a previous outbreak. No cases have been reported in Rwanda. See Health
After heavy rains on 3 May 2023, flooding and landslides have affected several districts in the north west of Rwanda, including Rubavu, Ngorero, Nyabihu and Karongi. At least 130 people are known to have died. Major roads, including the Karongi-Gisenyi road, have been damaged. Water and electricity supplies have been affected in some areas. Travellers in this region should be aware of the scale of disruption, and the potential for further floods during the rainy season.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Rwanda’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Rwanda is generally safe and crime levels are relatively low, but street crime does occur. There have been reports of burglary, theft and mugging in Kigali in recent months. You should take precautions with valuables and remain vigilant. See Crime
The security situation near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi remains unstable, and there hashave previously been armed attacks in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes National Parks and neighbouring areas. If you’re travelling near the DRC or Burundi borders, you should be aware of the risk of attacks and Government of Rwanda security operations. Exercise caution and keep up to date with developments on the current situation, including via your tour operator, the local media and this travel advice. See Local travel
Demonstrations may take place during July 2022 in the city of Goma, eastern DRC, against international interests. British Nationals should remain alert for demonstrations and look to leave any affected areas.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Terrorist attacks in Rwanda can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Visitors should be aware of recent confirmed cases of Ebola in Beni, North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the same province as a previous outbreak. No cases have been reported in Rwanda. See Health
After heavy rains on 3 May 2023, flooding and landslides have affected several districts in the north west of Rwanda, including Rubavu, Ngorero, Nyabihu and Karongi. At least 130 people are known to have died. Major roads, including the Karongi-Gisenyi road, have been damaged. Water and electricity supplies have been affected in some areas. Travellers in this region should be aware of the scale of disruption, and the potential for further floods during the rainy season.
Update history
2024-10-08 17:07
Addition of information on screening measures for Marburg at Kigali international airport (‘Health’ page).
2024-10-01 09:48
Further information added on prevention of Marburg virus disease (‘Health’ page)
2024-09-27 18:46
Confirmation from the Rwandan Ministry of Health that Marburg virus disease has been confirmed in a few patients in health facilities in the country.
2024-08-14 15:26
New information on health risks (‘Health’ page).
2024-08-06 15:12
Removal of information on presidential and parliamentary elections in Rwanda between 15 – 16 July (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-07-11 16:02
Information on presidential and parliamentary elections in Rwanda between 15 – 16 July (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-14 09:41
Information for LGBT+ travellers in Rwanda (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-02 13:09
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-01-23 14:14
Removal of information that certain meeting venues and national parks still require COVID-19 tests (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-22 11:26
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-04 16:24
Updated information on flooding in the north west of Rwanda (‘Summary’ page).
2022-08-24 09:43
Updated information on no longer requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a Passenger Locator Form before arrival (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-07-14 10:21
Updated information on possible demonstrations in Goma in July (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-08 12:42
Removal of information on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-21 09:33
Addition of information on an attack on a public passenger bus on Nyamagabe-Rusizi road in Nyungwe Forest, Nyamgabe District by suspected militants (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-06-18 16:32
Updated information on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (‘Summary’) and security at the DRC border (‘Safety and Security’ page)
2022-06-16 14:47
Updated information requirements for entry and departure for all travellers and requirements for entry and departure for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) delegates (‘Entry requirements page’ page)
2022-06-15 18:15
Updated information requirements for entry and departure for all travellers; Requirements for entry and departure for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) delegates (Entry requirements)
2022-06-11 14:05
Updated information on security at the DRC border in the North West (“Safety and Security” page)
2022-05-16 13:43
Updated information on the use of face masks (‘Coronavirus’ page) and on PCR and rapid test requirements for entry and departure (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-12 17:05
Updated information on PCR and rapid test requirements for entry and departure (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-30 13:24
Updated information on the threat from terrorism (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-03-17 09:36
Full review of Rwanda’s entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page) and edits to ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-03-09 15:53
Updated information on COVID-19 measures including around lifting of the curfew on movement and the requirement for rapid testing on day 3 after arrival, the opening of land borders and the requirement to present COVID-19 tests before attending events (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)