Is Rwanda Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

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Rwanda’s airports reopened on August 1, 2020. Travelers from any country can visit, making it one of the best countries that are open for tourism.

All travelers must have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure for Rwanda. They must also complete a Passenger Locator Form and upload their test result certificate.

All travelers will take a second RT-PCR test, which costs $60, on arrival in Rwanda. They must then stay in a designated transit hotel and wait 24 hours to receive the results of that test. If this test is negative, travelers can explore Rwanda freely.

Travelers arriving from or who have been in India or Uganda in the last 7 days must quarantine for 7 days from their arrival in a designated hotel at their own expense.

All travelers leaving Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure.

Can I travel to Rwanda right now?

You can travel to Rwanda from any country right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Rwanda at the moment.

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Rwanda COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Rwanda has implemented some straightforward requirements for all visitors.

All travelers must have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to departure for Rwanda. They must also complete a Passenger Locator Form. As part of completing the form, travelers must upload their test result certificate, provide confirmation of a hotel booking at a designated transit hotel, and pre-pay for their arrival RT-PCR test, which costs $60 (the test can also be paid for in cash on arrival in Rwanda). Upon completion of the form, travelers will receive an email with their Unique Health Code, which they should present upon arrival in Rwanda.

Rwanda COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

All travelers will take a second RT-PCR test on arrival in Rwanda. They must then stay in a designated transit hotel, where they will wait 24 hours to receive the results of their second test. If that test is negative, they are free to explore Rwanda.

Travelers who have been in India or Uganda in the last 7 days must quarantine for 7 days from their arrival in a designated hotel at their own expense.

All travelers departing Rwanda must have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours before departure.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Rwanda?

All travelers must possess a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to departure for Rwanda.

Only RT-PCR test results are acceptable. Accompanied children who are under the age of 5 are exempt from this testing requirement. Travelers must upload their medical certificate as part of completing their Passenger Locator Form.

All travelers will also undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival in Rwanda. This test costs $60, which can be paid for through the Passenger Locator Form or in cash on arrival.

Travelers must then stay in a designated transit hotel to wait 24 hours for their arrival test results. If their arrival test is negative, they are free to explore Rwanda.

Travelers must also test negative for COVID-19 before they leave Rwanda. They must have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure. Travelers will have to wait 48 hours from the time of their sample collection for their test results to be ready. Accompanied children under the age of 5 are exempt from this requirement.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Rwanda?

All travelers must wait for the results of their arrival RT-PCR test for 24 hours in a designated transit hotel. This requirement applies to travelers who have received the COVID-19 vaccine as well.

Travelers who have been in India or Uganda in the last 7 days must quarantine for 7 days from their arrival in a designated hotel at their own expense.

Do I have to complete a Passenger Locator Form?

All travelers must complete their own individual Passenger Locator Form.

Do I have to complete a Passenger Locator Form?

All travelers must upload their medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure for Rwanda and provide confirmation of a hotel booking at a designated transit hotel.

Travelers can also pay for their arrival RT-PCR test, which costs $60, through the form. Upon completing and submitting the form, travelers will receive a confirmation email with a Unique Health Code, which they will present upon arrival in Rwanda.

Do I have to book a stay at a designated transit hotel?

All travelers must book a stay at a designated transit hotel because they will be required to wait there for their arrival RT-PCR test results for 24 hours.

Travelers must provide confirmation of their hotel booking when completing their Passenger Locator Form. A list of designated transit hotels is available here, but the best ones are:

• Kigali Marriott Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel
• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Hotel des Mille Collines
• The Retreat

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Rwanda

It’s not an entry requirement to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Rwanda, but the Rwanda Biomedical Centre encourages all travelers to have international travel insurance to cover them in case they test positive for COVID-19 while in Rwanda.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, even if they’re asymptomatic, cannot leave Rwanda until they obtain a negative test result, plus their treatment must be paid for at their own expense, so travelers really shouldn’t visit Rwanda without COVID-19 insurance coverage.

If you’re wondering which insurance you should purchase, Heymondo is a great choice. When we compared travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, Heymondo was the clear winner because of their policies’ extensive coverage at an affordable price. You can even get 5% off Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Rwanda

Even if you’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine, you must still abide by Rwanda’s entry requirements. This means that you still need to have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure for Rwanda and complete a Passenger Locator Form.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Rwanda

You also still need to get tested on arrival and stay in a designated transit hotel for 24 hours until you receive your arrival test results.

Other travel restrictions for Rwanda during COVID-19

Rwanda has a few other travel restrictions in place:

• All travelers will undergo health screenings upon arrival in Rwanda. Screenings will include an RT-PCR test.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Rwanda. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Rwanda

The tourism industry in Rwanda has remained open, so there are plenty of activities for tourists to do right now: you can tour a national park, visit volcanoes, or even see gorillas. Hotels, restaurants, and airports are also open, albeit with increased restrictions, so you have everything you need to plan your trip.

Hotels that are open in Rwanda

Hotels in Rwanda are currently open and operating with strict COVID-19 health protocols. All travelers must stay at a designated transit hotel for the first 24 hours of their trip, but after that, they can stay wherever they wish to, even in a transit hotel. Here are some accommodations that we recommend for travelers who have completed their transit hotel stay:

• Kigali Marriott Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel
• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Hotel des Mille Collines
• The Retreat

Clients must wear masks in all public areas and abide by social distancing guidelines. Accommodation rooms will be disinfected thoroughly.

More details on hotel regulations can be found here.

Best tours and safaris that are operating in Rwanda

Attractions, such as museums and national parks, are open and tours are operating in Rwanda right now so there should be plenty to see and do if you visit. You can even join a Gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda right now! These are our favorite things to do in Rwanda at the moment:

• From Kigali: 1-Day Gorilla Trekking
• From Kigali: Akagera National Park Big 5 & Big Cats Day Safari
• From Kigali: City Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

Tourists who are traveling to tourist sites within Kigali and other provinces and districts must submit a movement request form and have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of travel. Tourists must inform the Rwanda Development Board of their itineraries and can only travel within curfew hours.

You can find more information on attraction and tour regulations here, here, and here.

Restaurants that are open in Rwanda

Ready to eat delicious Rwandan food? Restaurants in Rwanda are currently open until 7 PM. They can operate at 30% of their normal capacity indoors, while outdoor dining can operate at 50% capacity.

Restaurants that are open in Rwanda

Guests must wear face masks when not eating or drinking. They should also keep a distance of 2.5 meters away from others who are not in their household and wash their hands before eating or drinking.

More information on restaurant regulations is available here and here.

Airports that are open in Rwanda

Rwanda’s main airport, Kigali International Airport, is open and international flights have resumed.

Travelers must wear face masks and abide by social distancing protocols. They will also be subject to health screenings upon arrival, which will include an RT-PCR test.

Curfew in Rwanda

There is a curfew throughout the country from 8 PM to 4 AM. All businesses must close by 7 PM.

The Byimana Sector in the Ruhango District, the Tumba and Gishamvu Sectors in the Huye District, the Rukara, Murundi Nyamirama, and Mwiri Sectors in the Kayonza District, and Muhura, Remera, and Kageyo Sectors  in the Gatsibo District are in total lockdown, meaning movement is not allowed except for essential purposes.

Where to get a PCR test in Rwanda – COVID-19 testing in Rwanda

All travelers must test negative for COVID-19 in order to leave Rwanda. They must have a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure, although they should also check the requirements for their final destination. Accompanied children under the age of 5 are exempt from this testing requirement.

Where to get a PCR test in Rwanda – COVID-19 testing in Rwanda

Travelers must wait 48 hours from the time of sample collection for their test results to be ready. They will not be allowed to go to the airport without negative COVID-19 test results.

If you need to get a PCR test in Rwanda, you can book and pay for your test here, as well as find Information on testing prices and payment.

Rwanda reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Rwanda reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Rwanda reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Rwanda, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Rwanda
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Rwanda
• General Rwanda Travel Advisory
• Information for Passengers Arriving in Rwanda
• Passenger Locator Form
• Information on Designated Transit Hotels
• Current Restrictions from the Office of the Prime Minister
• Keeping Safe at Restaurants
• Rwanda Reopening for Tourism Information
• Tourism Movement Request Form
• Rwanda Biomedical Centre Website