Rwanda
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Rubavu District
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the parts of Rubavu District which are north-west of the NR2 road west of the NR11 road, leading from Nyamyumba to Mukamira. This includes the town of Gisenyi and the border crossing point at Gisenyi-Goma.
Rusizi District
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the parts of Rusizi District which are within 10km of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the Rwandan islands in Lake Kivu and Kamembe Airport.
Rwanda-DRC border
Risks associated with the proximity of potential fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may affect people on the Rwandan side of the border, including Rubavu and Rusizi districts, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest and Lake Kivu. International borders are often not well marked in remote areas, and you could unknowingly cross into DRC. You may see a presence of military personnel on both sides of the border. On 27 January, there were reports of gunfire and artillery fire in Gisenyi.
See Democratic Republic of the Congo’s travel advice for more information. Keep up to date with developments through local media.
The border crossings between Rwanda and DRC at Gisenyi-Goma could close at short notice.
UCI Road World Cycling Championships
Rwanda is hosting the UCI Road World Cycling Championships from 21-28 September in Kigali. Several major roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm for the race. Large crowds will gather and watch the event each day. Pedestrian crossings will be available. Alternative routes to hospitals, hotels and the airport are open, but may take longer than usual. Monitor local news and official sources of information for the latest updates, including UCI.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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Update history
2025-10-24 09:47
Removal of information about the UCI Road World Cycling Championships which took place in Kigali from 21-28 September.
2025-09-18 15:27
Addition of information about the UCI Road World Cycling Championships taking place in Kigali from 21-28 September (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-06-04 17:19
Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-06-04 15:00
Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-04-07 12:58
CORRECTION: FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the Rubavu District and continues to advise against all but essential travel to parts of Rusizi District (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2025-04-04 23:39
Update relating to the Rubavu District (Warnings and insurance page).
2025-02-06 11:38
Removal of information about Marburg Virus Disease screening measures on departure (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2025-01-31 17:02
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the parts of Rusizi district which are within 10km of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ page).
2025-01-27 19:53
Latest update: FCDO now advises against all travel to Rubavu District. This includes the town of Gisenyi and the border crossing point at Gisenyi-Goma (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ page).
2025-01-24 15:41
Information added on fighting near the Rwanda/DRC border (‘Regional risks’ page).
2025-01-02 14:19
Updated information about the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda (‘Health’ page).
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)