Destination · East Africa
Rwanda fam trips for travel agents and hosts
A Rwanda fam trip introduces travel agents to mountain gorillas, rainforest and savannah. Use this guide to discuss a focused itinerary with a host, compare the experiences on offer and clarify what is included. Actual dates, availability and hosted arrangements depend on the individual programme.
Photo by Andrew Molo on Unsplash
Which places in Rwanda should travel professionals know?
Key parks, reserves, cities and coastlines in Rwanda, with when to go and how guests usually get there. Each links to Google Maps.
National parkVolcanoes National Park
Northern Province, Rwanda
The park on the Rwandan side of the Virunga volcanoes, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, bordering protected areas in DR Congo and Uganda. Gorilla trekking needs a permit from the Rwanda Development Board, booked ahead of travel.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Maxime Ishmax, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkNyungwe National Park
South-west Rwanda, Rwanda
A montane rainforest that became a national park in 2004 and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, known for chimpanzee trekking and its canopy walkway. African Parks manages it with the Rwanda Development Board.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Alex Niragira, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkAkagera National Park
Eastern Province, Rwanda
Savannah, lakes and papyrus swamp along the Tanzanian border, managed by African Parks with the Rwanda Development Board. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017, making it Rwanda's only Big Five park.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Alex shema, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
CityKigali
City of Kigali, Rwanda
Rwanda's capital and the arrival point for most international visitors, through Kigali International Airport. It is also where conferences and events are held, at venues including the Kigali Convention Centre.
Open in Google Maps ↗
Heritage siteKigali Genocide Memorial
City of Kigali, Rwanda
The memorial and museum at Gisozi in Kigali where the remains of more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi are buried. Its exhibitions explain the history behind much of what visitors see elsewhere in Rwanda.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Fanny Schertzer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
LakeLake Kivu
Western Province, Rwanda
One of Africa's Great Lakes, on the border with DR Congo, with the Rwandan lakeside towns of Rubavu (Gisenyi) and Karongi (Kibuye). The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Rusizi District near the DRC border, including the Rwandan islands in the lake.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Davyimage, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkGishwati-Mukura National Park
Western Province, Rwanda
Rwanda's fourth national park, gazetted in 2016 to protect and restore two forest blocks in the west of the country. Its chimpanzee and golden monkey populations have grown as the forest has been restored.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Rasse2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How should a Rwanda fam itinerary be planned?
Choose a focused forest trip or a longer itinerary that compares Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera. Leave room to understand the experience at each lodge rather than trying to inspect every property.
Confirm which primate permits and activities are included. Build the programme around confirmed availability and discuss walking demands with participants before they accept.
What should agents confirm with the host?
Ask for a written itinerary and inclusions list before accepting. A hosted stay does not automatically include transport or every experience.
- Accommodation, meals and the activities included at each stop.
- International and domestic travel, transfers, fees and any permits.
- Personal costs, cancellation terms and the expected follow-up after the trip.
- Current entry requirements for your passport, travel advice and suitable insurance for the planned activities.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
Rwanda can be visited year-round, but the drier months of June to August and January to February usually give the easiest trekking conditions, with the main rains from March to May and September to December.
General pattern only; it varies by region and from year to year.
| Months | Season | What agents see |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Short dry season | Drier spell between the rains; gorilla and chimpanzee trekking run all year |
| March to May | Long rains | Wettest period; trekking continues on muddier trails |
| June to August | Long dry season | Driest months; roads and forest paths are easier going |
| September to December | Short rains | Rain returns, heaviest from October to December |
What do travellers to Rwanda need to know?
- Capital
- Kigali
- Currency
- Rwandan franc RWF
- Official languages
- Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time UTC+2
- Dialling code
- +250
- Driving
- On the right
Plugs and power
Plug types C, J. Mains supply 230 V, 50 Hz. Bring a plug adapter for these types; check whether devices also need a voltage converter.
International gateways
- KGL Kigali International Airport, Kigali
Entry
Visitors of all nationalities can get a visa on arrival in Rwanda, some without a fee, or apply online in advance through the government portal, Irembo. Check the current rules for your passport with Rwanda's immigration service before travel.
Health
TravelHealthPro lists a high risk of malaria in Rwanda and a low potential for yellow fever exposure; a yellow fever certificate is required for travellers over one year old arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Check with a travel health professional before travel.
Checked against the sources below. Rules change: confirm entry and health requirements before travel.
Questions travel agents and hosts ask
Are Rwanda fam trips always free?
No. The invitation determines which costs are hosted and which are paid by the agent. Confirm flights, transfers, permits, activities and personal expenses before accepting.
Where can travel agents find Rwanda fam trips?
Hosts list fam trips on RepBud, where travel agents can join RepBuddies free. Availability varies by destination and market; a country guide is not a promise of a current departure.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
Rwanda can be visited year-round, but the drier months of June to August and January to February usually give the easiest trekking conditions, with the main rains from March to May and September to December.
What plugs are used in Rwanda?
Rwanda uses type C and J plugs. The mains supply is 230 V, 50 Hz.
What currency is used in Rwanda, and what time zone is it in?
Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc (RWF) and is on Central Africa Time, UTC+2.
Explore the destination
Destination references for this guide. Confirm current arrangements with your host.
- Visit Rwanda destinations
- UK FCDO: Rwanda travel advice
- Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: visa on arrival
- Rwanda High Commission in South Africa: practical information
- Rwanda Meteorology Agency: climatology of Rwanda
- TravelHealthPro: Rwanda
- IEC World Plugs (archived 23 December 2024)
- Rwanda Airports Company