rwanda

area
population
capital
head of state
official language
currency
exchange rate

(source: lonely planet)

26,300 sq km
9.5 million
kigali
paul kagame
french & english
rwandan franc
check out oanda.com
for current exchange rates

this information comes from a visit to the country in november 2003. things might have changed since then. these are my personal impressions and it's well possible that other travellers will not share my views.

from dar es salaam, tansania: visas are issued within 2-3 days, but you might get it the same day if you ask (the staff are very nice). visa costs 55 us dollars (you can pay in shillings) and you need two pass port photos.

the embassy is located on plot 32 AH, mwinyi rd, upangatel: 211 7631 / 211 5889
GPS: S 06*48.081 / E039*17,091

at the border with tanzanian: you can get a two week visa at the border for 60 dollars.

from ruhengeri (rwanda) to uganda via kisoro: not a good idea in the rainy season, but it's a beautiful drive. the rwandan officers are very nice and correct, for the ugandan side please check the ugandan info site...

getting in and out

from tanzania: formalities on both sides of the border are correct and straight forward. you can get an insurance policy at the boder. the premium depends on the size of the engine and the age of the bike. for a 800cc bike, made in 1981 they ask 21'000 rwandan francs (about 40 usd).

places to stay

kigali: hotel okapi in central kigali is good value, even if it's a bit expensive. clean, comfortable and spacious rooms are avaliable from 15'000 franc rwandaise (26 usd). the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. there is a good restaurant/bar
GPS:: S 01*56,471' / E030*03,653'

ruhengeri: hotel muhabura is excellent value at 7000 franc rwandaise (about 13 usd), with big rooms in a beautifully set up. it's just 100 metres from the ORTPN office, where you can book trips to 'parc des volcans' and the gorillas. there is a restaurant/bar.
it's on the main road, after the city centre (coming from kigali)
GPS: 01*29,998 / E029*37,967

other

 gorillas in the mist: you can get a reservation in kigali, or just turn up at the ORTPN office in ruhengeri. visiting the gorillas cost 250 usd (270 if you pay with travellers checks, change will be given in franc rwandaise. no credit cards).
there are four groups of gorillas which can be visited. for each group the number of tourist is limited to eight (six for the smaller groups).
rental of car plus driver is at 50 usd per group.

traffic circles: careful with traffic circles in rwanda! even insid the circle priority is still with the driver from the right, entering the circle.

money: you can change travellers checks, free of charge, at the hotel milles collines in kigali. there are no ATM's.
exchange for tanzanian shillings at the border is straight foreward and quite correct.