This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Rwanda because of the risk of rebel and criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the areas bordering Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) because of the unsettled security environment, the high risk of conflict between government forces and rebels, and the risk of cross-border incursions by armed groups. Closure of these borders can occur without notice.

Gisenyi Province: In March 2007, rebels launched a mortar round and rocket attack in the Gisenyi Province near the Volcanoes National Park (Parc national des Volcans, also known as Virunga National Park) in northwestern Rwanda. If you are planning to visit the gorillas, you should seek local advice before visiting this area. The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks may provide military escorts to these areas. We strongly recommend that you only visit as part of an organised tour group.

Crime

Petty crime targeting foreigners and tourists, including bag snatching, pickpocketing and robbery, are common in Rwanda. Theft from hotel rooms and vehicles occurs. The incidence of armed robbery is reported to be increasing in the capital, Kigali. You should avoid walking in the streets at night.

Local Travel

While the main roads between Kigali and other major towns are generally in good condition, many secondary roads are only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles, particularly during the rainy season. You should avoid driving at night as roads are unlit outside of major towns. Poorly maintained vehicles, poor driving standards, excessive speeds and roaming animals pose additional safety risks.

Police road blocks are common throughout the country. Travellers may be stopped and vehicles and luggage searched.

Access to the Volcanoes National Park (Parc national des Volcans, also known as the Virunga National Park) and Nyungwe Forest requires permission from the Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) (see also Civil Unrest/Political Tension above).

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The rainy seasons are mid-March to May and October to November. Landslides and flooding can occur during these periods and some roads may become impassable.

Northwestern Rwanda is in an active seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Rwanda is a cash-based society. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Rwanda, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for the possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.

Photographing government buildings is prohibited.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Information for Dual Nationals

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Rwanda for the most up to date information.

A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Rwanda.

Rwanda is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Medical facilities are very limited throughout the country. In the case of an accident or illness, medical evacuation by air ambulance to Nairobi would be necessary and, if serious, a medical evacuation from Kenya to a destination with the required facilities would be recommended. A medical evacuation from Rwanda could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Malaria occurs widely and throughout the year in Rwanda. Other insect-borne diseases (including yellow fever, filariasis, plague and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, meningitis, hepatitis, tuberculosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while travelling overseas.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Rwanda. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Kenya:

Australian High Commission
Riverside Drive (400 metres off Chiromo Road)
Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone (254 20) 444 5034-39
Facsmile (254 20) 444 4718
Website: www.kenya.embassy.gov.au

If you are travelling to Rwanda, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.