Currency

The unit of currency is the Rwandan franc, which is traded at US$1=Rfr 590 in August 2010. The US dollar is the hard currency preference. It may be impossible to exchange travelers cheques at a good rate (or at all) away from Kigali. All major credit cards can be used at hotels and good restaurants in Kigali. People can use a Visa card to withdraw Rwanda franc equivalent to needed money in US $.

Please DON’T BRING OLD US DOLLAR NOTE (NOT MADE BEFORE 2000)

Communications

Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the entire country. International phone calls can be made easily. Cell phones can be purchased or rented from major shops in Kigali. Most towns of any size will have several Internet cafes and computer centers.

Kinyarwanda, French and English are the official languages. French is widely spoken throughout the country, while many people speak English in Kigali and the main tourist areas.

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 centers are connected with local and luxury bus services. Public transport (bus and minibus)is cheap, averaging 200 francs inner city (around $0.30). An average cab (inner city) trip is around 4000 francs (around $8.00).

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. Bring a camera and an adequate stock of film. Print film is available but transparency film is not.