Passengers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new procedures detailed in this Arriving Passenger Information Note from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. Additional detailed new procedures have also been 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/

All travellers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours of departure (meaning travellers must be tested and get results within 3 days of their first flight). Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted. COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years.

Yes, all travelers (visitors and returning residents) arriving or transiting for up to 24 hours through Rwanda will be screened upon entry and take a second RT-PCR test on arrival. Sample collection will be conducted at the airport upon arrival and waiting for the results will be at designated transit hotels. (see list here).

The test costs USD 50 plus a USD 10 medical service fee . Payment methods are detailed here.

All travelers transiting/connecting who are not leaving the airport and those who will leave the airport to go to the designated transit hotels for less than 24 hours will be screened upon entry and are not required to take a second test. This is not applicable for transiting travelers by land borders. In that case, travelers will be required to take an RT-PCR test and wait for the results at the designated hotels before proceeding.

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

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 authorised taxis.

Visitors to Rwanda are welcome to book into one of the 24 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.

Upon arrival at the designated hotel, guests will wait for their test 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. However, the guest will be required to self-quarantine at home for 7 days after leaving the designated hotel. At the end of this period, the guest will receive an SMS inviting them to designated testing sites for a final test that will be performed free of charge.

If the guest is a business traveler who plans to be in Rwanda for a short stay (less than 7 days) or an international tourist scheduled to visit national parks, they will not be required to undergo the 7-day quarantine. They are strongly advised to limit their interactions with the local communities to a minimum. Proof of visit will be verified upon entry at Kigali International Airport by competent authorities.

However, they are strongly advised to limit their interactions with the local communities to a minimum.

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.

For those spending less than 72 hours in Rwanda, one will not be required to take another test to depart from Rwanda.

All international tourists visiting national parks are required to schedule their visit within 72 hours of receiving a negative test result. The only accepted test for tourists visiting Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks is the SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). A negative Rapid Antigen test (RDT) will be accepted for Akagera National Park. If your visit/s falls more than 72 hours after the initial test on arrival, you will be required to take another COVID-19 test before visiting the parks.

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.

Yes. You will still have to take a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test on arrival and quarantine for 24hrs in one of Rwanda’s designated hotels.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Yes, the vehicles authorised to transport visitors to their designated hotel have permission to move during the lockdown.

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

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.

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 sanitisers
• 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.

All travellers departing from Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours before departure. Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted. We encourage travellers to book and pay for their tests at least 2 days prior to departure through the online platform available on www.rbc.gov.rw.

Guests will be facilitated to take this final test in popular tourist locations including Musanze, Nyagatare, Nyamasheke, Rwamagana and Rubavu. Visitors can also 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 60. More details and payment methods can be found here.

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

Passengers going to Kigali International Airport during curfew hours (between 19:00 and 04:00) are required to apply for a movement clearance pass via www.mc.gov.rw or dial *127# and follow the prompts. We encourage tourists to liaise with their tour operators to apply.

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