A visit to the gorillas usually requires you to set aside a full day of gorilla trek but in the forest, depending on your luck, 1-4 hours can be enough. Remember its easier to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda than any other wildlife destination for trekking.

Trekking involves walking through the forest as you look for the giant apes. While in the forest, you will see other primate speicies and at the end ot the visit, you will visit the Dian Fossey Foundation, a primate conservationists.

Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda/ Gorilla Treks and Permits
Gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs USD 500 per person per day for foreign non residents and 20,000 Frw for Rwanda citizens. The fees include the park entrance as well. Please get in touch with one of the tour operators who can organise your gorilla trek to Rwanda. There are 30 gorilla permits issued everyday so its important for you to get purchase your permit a few months back.

Please note that on the actual day of your tracking, you must be at the ORTPN office at 7am in Musanze before you enter the national park, Parcs De Volcans.

Hotel or Lodge for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla’s Nest Lodge
Kivu Sun Hotel
Virunga Lodge

Specie–
Mountain Gorilla-  Gorilla Berengei Berengei

GETTING TO RWANDA
One can fly to Rwanda with SN Brussels, Alliance Express/Alliance Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania and Air Burundi. All international flights land at Kanombe Airport which is 10kms away from central Kigali.

temperature

PASSPORTS AND VISAS:
A valid passport is mandatory. VISAS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR NATIONALS OF THE USA, GERMANY, CANADA, UGANDA, TANZANIA, KENYA, BURUNDI AND THE DRC. For further information, please call the Rwandan Embassy/Mission nearest to you. (Phone numbers provide below and in the Useful Contacts section of this website).

HEALTH:
A certificate for yellow fever vaccination is required. Malaria is present and anti-malarial drugs are recommended. Bottled mineral water, which is available in all major towns, is recommended instead of drinking ordinary tap water.

MONEY:
The unit of currency is the Rwandan franc, which is traded at US$1=Rfr 430- 450 in April 2001. 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.

LANGUAGE:
In addition to the indigenous language, 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. Kiswahili is also widely spoken around the country.

WHEN TO VISIT:
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. Gorilla tracking 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 and well advertised.

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.

The Franc was originally the currency of Rwanda at a time when Belgium ocuppied this territory.  Rwanda’s own currency was introduced in 1964.

In 1964, notes of the Rwanda and Burundi Bank of Emission were overstamped for use in Rwanda alone. Denominations were 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 francs. These were followed by regular issues for the same amounts. 20- and 50-franc notes were replaced by coins in 1977, with 5,000-franc notes introduced in 1978. The nation’s first-ever 2,000-franc note was introduced in mid-December 2007.

Bancor, Avenue de la Paix, Tel: +250 575763/61/575780,
Fax: +250 575761

BANCOR S.A - Union Trade Center Building,
Tel: (250) 500089/90-96, (250) 575763/575780
Fax: (250)575761/572501 Website: www.bancor.co.rw

BANQUE COMMERCIALE DU RWANDA S.A - 11, Boulevard de la Revolution,
Tel: (250) 595339 Fax: (250) 573395 Website: www.bcr.co.rw

Cogebanque, Boulevard de la Nyabugogo, Place de L’unite National.
Tel: +250 570974.

Bank Continentale Africaine Rwanda, Boulevard de la Revolution.

Bank de Commerce, de Development et D’Industrie S.A (BCDI),
Avenue de la Paix.
Tel: +250 574143, Fax: +250573790.

Bank Nationale du Rwanda,
Tel:  +250 574282/ 574471/574432,
Fax: +250 572551/573790/574437.

Alfa Forex Bureau, Avenue du travail.

Ass Ubwiyunge Forex Bureau, opp. Taxi Park,
Rue Mont Kabuye

Cagep Forex Bureau, Ave. de la Paix.
Tel: +250 08424532.

Dufatanye Forex Bureau, Rue Cartier Mateus.
Tel: +250 08557517.

Express Forex Bureau, City Plaza House.

Avenue du Commerce, Tel: +250 577456.

Give & Take, Tel:+250 571138

Great Lakes Forex Bureau, Avenue du travail,
Tel: +250 511239.

International Forex Bureau, Avenue du travail,
Tel/Fax: +250 576843.

Kigali National Forex Bureau, Tel:+250 571095,

Papiforex Leadership, Rue de L’Epargne opp. GPO,
Tel: +250 572473.

Rexco Forex Bureau, Boulevard de la Revolution,
Tel: +250 501927.

Satguru Travel & Tours Service, Tel:+250 573079, 577497,
Fax: +250 572231

Taurus Forex Bureau, Ave. de la Paix,
Tel: +250 305096.

Verma (ETS), Tel: +250 572649, 574612,

Burundi, 4 Rue de Ntararuka,
Tel: +250 517529/30/575512.

Canada, Rue de L’Akagera,
Tel: +250 571762/3/4/574228/573210,
Fax: +250 572719.

China, 44 Boulevard de la Revolution,
Tel: +250 575415/510489/572168/572773.

Egypt, Boulevard de L’Umuganda,
Tel: +250 87510/587560/582039/582689.

France, Avenue depute Kamuzinzi,
Tel: +250 575225/575206/575263/577496.

Germany, Rue de Bugurama,
Tel: +250 575222/575141/575505.

India, Rue du Lac Ihema.
Tel: +250 574556/576472, Fax: +250 574290.

Kenya, Boulevard de L’Umuganda,
Tel: +250 583332/4/5/6/ 511889,
Fax: +250 510919.

Libya, Tel: +250 572294/572309/572335,
Fax: +250 572347.

Netherlands, Boulevard de L’Umuganda.
Tel: +250 584348/584378/584711.

Russia, Avenue de L’Armee.
Tel: +250 575286, Fax: +250 574818.

South Africa, Boulevard de L’Umuganda.
Tel: +250 583185/6/7/8

Sweden, Tel: +250 586006/3/4,
Fax: +250 586008.

Switzerland, Boulevard de Revolution.
Tel: +250 573534/575738.

Tanzania, Tel: +250 505400/1/3/ 585302
Tel/Fax: +250 505403/585301,
Fax: +250 505402.

Uganda, Rue de L’Akagera. Tel: +250

United Kingdom, Boulevard de L’Umuganda.
Tel: +250 585281/2-7. Fax: +250 510588.

USA, Boulevard de la Revolution.
Tel: +250 505601/2/3/ 5721263,
Fax: +250 572128.

King Faisal Hospital, Tel: +250 582421,
585397, 582469, Fax: +250 583203,
E-mail: faisal@rwanda1.com

CHUK, Tel:  +250 575406/575555/575150/
575462, Fax: +250 576638,
E-mail: chk@rwandatel1.rwanda1.com,
www.chk.org.rw

Polyclique du Plateau, Tel: +250 578767,
Fax: +250 572125, E-mail pcp@rwanda1.com

Ophthalmology / Ophthalmologue

Clinique Ophtalmologique, Tel: +250 571143.

Opticians / Opticiens

DK Optica Avenue du Commerce, (041) 571804.

Nu Vision Optical, City Plaza Avenue du Commerce.

Kigaloptic, Rue de Lac Ihema, (Building Ets Ndamage), Tel:  +250 573041, Fax:  +250 573041,
Email: minjb@rwandatel1.rwanda1.com

O.P.A Pharmacies  s.a.r.l, Tel: +250 511089, 575389, Fax:  +250 574749

Clinique Liberte, Tel: +250 507063

Hospital Roi Faycale, Tel: +250 82421, 85397,
Fax:+250 570184

Faith Clinic, Avenue de la Paix. Tel: +250 570296.

Polyclinique Centrale de Kigali, Tel: +250 576377.

Polyclinique du Carefour, Tel: +250 571361/62.

Polyclinique du Plateau, Blvd de la Revolution,
Tel: +250 578767, Fax: +250 572125

Polyfam, Avenue de la Justice, Ameki Color Building,
Tel: +250 573477, Fax: +250 578885

Rwanda Dentists / Dentistes

Clinique Dentaire Adventiste, Tel: +250 582431.

Rwanda Doctors / Médecins

Medecine Generaliste, Avenue du lac Burera,
Tel: +250 576357 or +250 08638548,
Fax: +250 576357

Medecine Generaliste, Tel: +250 573557

The ministry of health in Rwanda is involved in many health related activities to combat diseases like Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Epidemics, Tuberclosis, child diseases and so much more.

Health indicators in Rwanda

Population & Medical Personnel

* Total population: 8,2 millions
* Per Capita GNP: 250US $
* Doctors: 1/50,000 inhabitants
* Nurses: 1/3,900 inhabitants
* 17% of Nurses in rural areas

Infant and Maternal Mortality

* Infant mortality: 86/1000 (DHS,2005)
* Under 5 Mortality: 152/1000 (DHS, 2005)
* Maternal mortality: 750/ 100,000 (DHS, 2005)
* Assisted deliveries: 48.6% (MOH AR 2007)

HIV/AIDS and other epidemics

* HIV prevalence: 3% (DHS+2005)
* TB (2003): 6,046 cases in the country
* 60% of HIV patients are diagnosed with TB
* Malaria admission cases in hospitals 36.8%
(PNLP/MoH 2006) Countrywide ARV sites (TRAC/MoH 2006) 2757
* Adults on ARVs 31.379 (TRAC/MoH 2006)
* TB annual Risk 2% (WHO)
* TB cases in 2006 8701(PNILT/MoH 2006)

Family Planning

* Contraceptive prevalence: 17% (DHS,2005)
* Use of Modern Contraception Methods: DHS 2000 = 4%
DHS 2005 = 10%

Other Health Indicators

* Under 5 years severe malnutrition: 19.4% (DHS, 2005)
* Access to Health facilities : 37.9%
Life expectancy at birth 52.73 (UNDP 2007)

Source: Ministry of Health Rwanda

More information on Cyangugu accommodation, holiday inns, guest houses, inns, restaurants, bars, health centres, spas and saunas, Cyangugu hotel conference facilities and so much more.

Hotel in Cyangugu Guide

Auberge la Saveur, BP 350 Cyangugu
Bar Rubavu, BP 131 Cyangugu
Centre de Pastrol, Tel+ 250 616404
Hotel des Chutes, Tel: +250 537405/ 77688
Home Saint Francois, BP 97 Cyangugu
Lake Kivu Serena, Rue de la Revolution, Tel: +250 541100, Fax: +250 541102, Email: kivu@ serena.co.rw
Peace Guest House, BP 52 Cyangugu