Rwanda is small, green and easy to get around, and most trips combine Kigali with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, a safari in Akagera, chimpanzees and canopy walks in Nyungwe and a few days on the shores of Lake Kivu. Distances are short, and the main roads are in good condition. Rwanda is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so European plans charge their own roaming rates there.
Key facts for Rwanda
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Airtel (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112 for police and ambulance; fire 111
- Embassies: in Kigali
Kigali
Coverage is strong across Kigali, from the Genocide Memorial to the restaurants of Kiyovu and Kimihurura. Crime is low, but bag-snatching and burglaries do happen, so arrange transport after dark. Some military zones in the city are poorly lit or unmarked, and entering them can lead to arrest. On the last Saturday of each month, most services close from 7am to 11am for Umuganda, the national community work morning.
Gorillas, chimpanzees and safaris
Musanze, the base for Volcanoes National Park, has good coverage, but the signal comes and goes on the forested slopes during a trek. Gorilla permits are limited and should be booked well in advance, as should chimpanzee treks in Nyungwe. In Akagera, coverage is patchy away from the main gate and the lodges.
Lake Kivu and the border with DR Congo
Rubavu and Karongi on Lake Kivu have decent coverage. The UK advises against all but essential travel to the parts of Rusizi District within 10 km of the border with DR Congo, including the Rwandan islands in Lake Kivu and Kamembe Airport, and border crossings with DR Congo can close at short notice. Some chimpanzee treks start near this area, so check the latest advice with your operator.
Rules that surprise visitors
Plastic bags are banned and will be confiscated on arrival. Photographing some government buildings is illegal, and flying a drone without a permit can lead to prison or a heavy fine. Motorbike taxis are everywhere but are prone to accidents, so wear the helmet and avoid them at night.
Paying
The currency is the Rwandan franc. Cards work in Kigali's hotels and larger restaurants, and mobile money is widely used, but carry cash for markets, motorbike taxis and rural areas.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed at home connects as soon as you land in Kigali, and your usual number keeps receiving texts and bank codes. Continuing to Uganda, Tanzania or Kenya? An Africa plan covers them all.
Rwandan prepaid SIMs from MTN or Airtel are sold at the airport and in shops, and must be registered with your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Rwanda
- Dial 112 for the police or an ambulance and 111 for the fire service; the SAMU ambulance service also answers on 912.
- Embassies are in Kigali. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Rwanda, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English and French are official languages alongside Kinyarwanda, so you can usually explain an emergency in either.
Questions travellers ask about Rwanda
Does my EU plan work in Rwanda?
No. Rwanda is outside Roam Like at Home, so your operator's roaming rates apply.
Is there signal on a gorilla trek?
In places. Charge your phone and download maps in Musanze before you set off.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Rwanda?
Airtel, with 4G where available.
What is the emergency number?
112, for the police or an ambulance; 111 for the fire service.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, leave plastic bags at home, book gorilla permits early, check the advice for the Rusizi border area, and save 112.
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