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Arriving In Rwanda Frequently Asked Questions

Arriving in Rwanda Frequently Asked Questions

Arriving in Rwanda Frequently Asked Questions. All you need to know regarding arrival protocols amid COVID-19 and your stay in Rwanda while on safari or on a regular visit upon the reopening up of Kigali International Airport guidelines for commercial flights and passengers. Rwanda Development Board has come up with all answers to your speculated questions that may arise from the public. Relevant answers for you against each question well addressed for your information.

  1. What should I do prior to departure to Rwanda?

Passengers should familiarise themselves with new procedures at the airport, as established by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. We encourage visitors to especially note the guidelines for mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand sanitising, negative COVID-19 test result, e-payment, and the requirement to use only authorised transportation from the airport to the designated hotel. Passengers  are  also  required  to  complete  a  Public  Health  Passenger  Locator  Form  before arriving in Rwanda here: www.rbc.gov.rw/travel/

  1. Are visitors  coming  to  Rwanda  required  to  have  a  COVID-19  test?  If yes, how long prior to arrival?

All visitors arriving at the Kigali International Airport, including transit passengers, are required to  present  a  negative  COVID-19  PCR  test  result  from  a  certified  laboratory  taken  within  72 hours of departure from their destination.

  1. Do I need to take a second test on arrival in Rwanda, how much does it cost and how long will I wait for the results?

Yes, a second PCR test will be conducted once the visitor arrives at their designated hotel (see list below).  The  test  costs  USD  50  plus  a  USD  10  medical  service  fee.  Payment methods are detailed here. Visitors  entering  Rwanda  for  the  purpose  of  tourism  will  wait  for  eight  hours, while all other visitors  will  wait  for  24  hours  for  the  results.  During the waiting period, visitors will be in isolation at the designated hotel.

  1. Which COVID-19 test is required by health authorities in Rwanda?

The COVID-19 test required to visit Rwanda is known as a Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test.

  1. How will I reach my designated hotel?

On arrival in Rwanda, visitors will be taken to their pre-booked designated hotel by authorised transport.  For  those  who  have  booked  a  tour  package,  the  tour  operator will be in charge of their transportation. All other visitors will either be transported by their designated hotel or can use authorized taxis.

  1. Can I book a hotel of my choice for the 24-hour waiting time?

Visitors  to  Rwanda  are  welcome  to  book into one of the 17 designated hotels listed below as they  wait  for  their  COVID-19  test  results.  The hotel rate is on a full board basis, excluding alcohol. Any additional orders will be paid for by the guest. See list of designated hotels

  1. What should I expect at the designated hotel?

Upon arrival at the designated hotel, guests will be tested for COVID-19. After the test, they will await  the  results  which  will  be  sent  directly  to  the  guest  by  SMS  or  email  by  the  Rwanda Biomedical Centre. If the test result is negative, the guest will be invited to checkout. If the test result is positive, the guest will be taken to a medical facility for specialized care, or evacuated in line with medical evacuation protocols.

  1. What are the medical contacts in Rwanda for COVID-19 related issues?

For  COVID-19  related  health  issues,  please  contact  the  Rwanda  Biomedical  Centre  via  the toll-free  number  114  or  the  Medical  Team  on  duty 24/7 at the Kigali International Airport on +250 781 415 724. In  case  of  any  medical,  logistical  or  administrative  issue  at  the designated hotel, kindly reach out contact the site manager at the hotel. Each hotel has a designated site manager.

  1. If I  tested  negative  for  COVID-19  on  arrival  in  Rwanda  and  will  spend  less  than  72 hours in the country, do I need to take another test to depart from Rwanda?

For  those  spending  less  than  72  hours  in  Rwanda,  the  Rwanda  Biomedical  Centre  staff  will conduct a health risk assessment and authorize departure accordingly.

  1. I have a long itinerary that will involve visiting three national parks and other places.

Some visits will fall after 48 hours of test results.  Will I have to test again before visiting a national park? Tourists will not be required to test again before visiting a national park, however, we advise visitors to schedule their visit to national parks for primate related activities at the beginning of their itinerary.  Visitors are required, however, to take a final COVID-19 test before departing Rwanda.

  1. If I test  positive  for  COVID-19  in  Rwanda,  who  pays  for  my  treatment  and  can  I  be evacuated to my country?

Visitors who test positive for COVID-19 can either be evacuated in line with medical evacuation protocols or seek treatment at a designated treatment centre in Rwanda at their own cost.

  1. While I am waiting for my COVID19 test results at a designated hotel, can I be visited by friends?

No.  Guests  waiting  for  their  results  at  designated  hotels  are  required  to  remain  in  isolation. They are welcome to use electronic devices while at the hotel but must respect the privacy of other guests at all times.

  1. We are coming to Rwanda as a family, can we book one hotel room for the 24 hour waiting period?

Yes. Guests can book one hotel room suitable to accommodate a family traveling together.

  1. Is the hotel rate within designated hotels for an individual guest or for a room? Can people share a room?

All visitors are advised to book individually. Only immediate family members can share a room for the duration of the waiting period.

  1. In the event   my   COVID-19   results   are   delayed,   what   happens?  Who pays the additional waiting nights/days and if I had a tourism booking, do I get a refund?

Each hotel will have a site manager who will advise on the results within the allotted time. The Rwanda   Development   Board   reservations   team   (reservations@rdb.rw)   can   facilitate   the rescheduling  of  booked  permits  in case of any issue related to the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the revised booking policy.

  1. Will pre-arranged Meet and Greet services be available for guests? If yes, what conditions need to be fulfilled?

A Meet and Greet service is available for tourists who have pre-booked this option as part of a tour package.  The service will be coordinated between the private tour operator and Akagera Aviation.

  1. Can I consume alcohol while I am waiting in my hotel room for the test results?

Yes, visitors are welcome to consume alcohol within their hotel room at their own cost.

  1. Can I continue to stay in the same hotel after receiving my test results?

The  Government  of  Rwanda  has  negotiated  special  rates  at  the  designated  hotels  for  the waiting period. Should a guest wish to remain in the hotel after receiving a negative test result, they  are  welcome  to  extend  their  stay  at  the  hotel’s  regular  rates;  however,  they  will  be assigned a new room.

  1. What happens when  one  lands  at  Kigali  International  Airport  after  21:00  (when the curfew begins)? Will the visitor be able to reach their hotel?

Yes, the vehicles authorized to transport visitors to their designated hotel have permission to move during the curfew hours.

  1. Can family members, friends or a personal driver pick one up from the airport?

No, only vehicles authorized to transport visitors to their designated hotel can pick up guests from the airport.

  1. If a passenger  has  lost  their  luggage,  who  will  follow  up  to  deliver  it to the visitor’s hotel?

The  RwandAir  Lost  and  Found  office  at  the  Kigali  International  Airport  will  handle  all  cases related     to     lost     luggage.     Visitors    or    tour    operators    can    contact    the    team    at lostandfound@rwandair.com or on +250 788 308 814.

  1. What are the safety and health measures in place at the Kigali International Airport?

To  ensure  the  health  and  well-being  of  all  passengers,  a  range of measures have been put in place, including:

  • Wearing of masks at all times for everyone
  • Readily available hand sanitizers
  • Physical distancing markings
  • Regular and thorough disinfecting of the airport and equipment

Kigali  International  Airport  staff  have  been  trained  on  Infection  Prevention,  and  Control measures   and   comprehensive   guidelines   are   in   place   to   ensure   safe   operations.  These measures  are based on the Public Health Corridor approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization  in  collaboration  with  the  International  Air  Transport  Association  and  the  World Health Organization.

  1. Is it mandatory to take a COVID-19 test before departure from Rwanda?

Yes,  visitors  to  Rwanda  will  be  required  to  take  a  COVID-19  test  within  72  hours  prior  to departure. Guests will be facilitated to take this final test in popular tourist locations including Musanze, Nyagatare, Nyamasheke, Rwamagana and Rubavu. Visitors  can  be  tested  in  Kigali  at  Amahoro  Stadium  “Petit  Stade” in Remera and the Rwanda Biomedical  Centre  Gikondo  Branch  at  the  Office  of  Vaccination  Programme  on KK 6 Ave. The cost of the test is USD 50. More details and payment methods can be found here.

  1. What time should I arrive at the airport for departure?

Passengers are advised to arrive at the Kigali International Airport at least three hours before their flight.

  1. Where can I view a list of licensed tour operators and tour guides in Rwanda?

The full list of licensed tour operators and tour guides can be found here.

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