Official name: Republic of Rwanda
Time zone: GMT + 2
Motto: Ubumwe, Umurimo, Gukunda Igihugu “Unity, Work, Patriotism”
Anthem: Rwanda Nziza
Capital: Kigalii
Surface area: 26,338 sq. km
Political system: Unitary state with multiparty democracy
Head of state: President Paul Kagame
Next election date: 2017
Population: Approximately 11,055,000 people (2010 est., grow rate 2,8%)
Birth rate: 37.2 / 1000
Infant mortality: 67.5 /1000
Life expectancy: 57.4
Density per sq mi: 1,029 (most densely populated country in Africa)
Demonym: Rwandan, Rwandese
Official languages: English, French and Kinyarwanda. Kiswahili is also used in commercial hubs.
Principal religions: The nation is some 56.5% Roman Catholic, 26% Protestant, 11.1% Adventist, and 4.6% Muslim, original beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Economy:
GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.1 billion (2010 est.)
GDP – per capita (PPP): $ 510 (2010 est.)
GDP – composition by sector: agriculture: 34%, Industry: 14%, Services: 46 % (2009)
Currency:
The unit of currency is the Rwanda franc (RWF). The US dollar is the hard currency of preference. It may be impossible to exchange travellers’ cheques away from the capital. Credit cards are usually only accepted at the major hotels in Kigali.
Fiscal year: calendar year
Telephone:
Internet country code: .RW
Calling code: +250
Transportation:
Airports:9 (2007)
Airports – with paved runways: total: 4
Airports – with unpaved runways: total: 5
Roadways: Over 14,000 km
Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2006)
Ports and terminals: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Going to Rwanda
All international flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, just 10 Km from central Kigali. International flights arriving in Kigali are with SN Brussels, KLM, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and Rwandair Express. There are two direct flights from Brussels by SN Brussels Airlines. Rwandair Express has introduced two flights a day from Nairobi (Kenya) and Entebbe (Uganda), and two per week from Johannesburg. Rwandair also has daily flights to Bujumbura and 3 flights weekly to Kilimanjaro.With effect from January 9th 2009, Rwandair Express will fly thrice a week to Rubavu (Gisenyi-Rwanda) every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Passport and visa
A valid passport with visa is mandatory. In view of the bilateral agreements, nationals of the following countries may visit Rwanda without visa for a period up to 90 days: USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong. Visas can be applied for online or bought upon arrival.
Public holidays
Good Friday and Easter Monday, which fall on variable dates, are recognised in Rwanda. Other public holidays are :
1 January (New Year’s Day);
1 February (National Heroes Day);
7 April (Genocide Memorial Day);
1 May (Labour Day);
1 July (Independance Day);
4 July (National Liberation Day);
15 August (Assumption Day);
1 October (Patriotism Day);
25 December (Christmas Day), and
26 December(Boxing Day).
When to visit
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. Gorilla trekking and other forest walks are less demanding during the drier months. The European winter is the best time for birds, as Palaearctic migrants supplement resident species.
What to wear
Dress codes are informal. Daytime temperatures are generally warm, so bring lots of light clothing, supplemented by light sweaters for the cool evenings and heavier clothing for the Parc des Volcans and Nyungwe. When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing to protect against stinging nettles, and solid walking shoes. A hat and sunglasses provide protection against the sun, and a waterproof jacket may come in handy in the moist mountains.
What to bring
Binoculars will greatly enhance game drives and forest walks, as will a good field guide to East African birds. Bring a camera and an adequate stock of film. Print film is available but transparency film is not. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.
Communications
Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the entire country. International phone calls can be made easily. Appropriate SIM cards for the network are readily available everywhere, even in remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size will have several Internet cafes and computer centres.
Getting around
Rwanda has possibly the best roads in East Africa. Most visitors who have booked through a tour company will be provided with good private vehicles, usually 4-wheel drive. All of the major centres are connected with local and luxury bus services. Air charter services are available anywhere in the country.
Hiking and biking
The fine road network, with little traffic, offers wonderful opportunities for long bicycle trips across the verdant hills and valleys. Mountain biking and hiking can be enjoyed on the thousands of kilometres of fine rural trails linking remote villages, criss-crossing the entire country.
Gorilla permits
Gorilla Permits can be arranged by a travel operator, or can be purchased directly through the Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) / The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks, at the headquarters in Kigali, or at their office in Musanze.
Safety and health
A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns. Hospitals are located in all major towns.
Seasons and climate
A combination of tropical location and high altitude ensures that most of Rwanda has a temperate year-round climate. Temperatures rarely stray above 30 degrees Celsius by day or below 15 degrees Celsius at night throughout the year. The exceptions are the chilly upper slopes of the Virunga Mountains, and the hot low-lying Tanzania border area protected in Akagera National Park. Throughout the country, seasonal variations in temperature are relatively insignificant. Most parts of the country receive in excess of 1,000mm of precipitation annually, with the driest months being July to September and the wettest February to May.