Thank you for choosing to visit Rwanda. To ensure your health and the well-being of those around you while you are in the country, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with new procedures in place detailed in this Arriving Passenger Information Note.
We hope the frequently asked questions below will assist you to plan your visit.
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 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 to Rwanda.
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.
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 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.
| Hotel | Star Rating | Location | Room Rate (per person) | Telephone |
| Kigali Marriott Hotel | 5 | Kiyovu | USD 200 | +250 725 880 724 |
| Radisson Blu Hotel | 5 | Kimihurura | USD 170 | +252 252 252 +250 724 000 028 |
| Kigali Serena Hotel | 5 | Kiyovu | USD 150 | +250 788 200 422 |
| Hotel Des Milles Collines | 4 | Kiyovu | USD 150 | +250 788 303 324 |
| Grand Legacy Hotel | 4 | Remera | USD 140 | +250 788 303 483 |
| Gorillas Golf Hotel | 4 | Nyarutarama | USD 140 | +250 788 174 000 +250 788 200 500 |
| Lemigo Hotel | 4 | Kimihurura | USD 140 | +250 738 785 048 |
| Park Inn by Radisson | 4 | Kiyovu | USD 120 | +250 788 330 045 |
| Ubumwe Grande Hotel | 4 | Kiyovu | USD 100 | +250 788 863 995 |
| Karisimbi Hotel | 2 | Kiyovu | USD 90 | +250 784 649 686 |
| Hotel Villa Portofino | 3 | Nyarutarama | USD 70 | +250 788 309 323 |
| Dove Hotel | 3 | Gisozi | USD 70 | +250 788 771 562 |
| The Nest Kigali | 2 | Kimihurura | USD 65 | +250 784 131 375 |
| Quiet Haven Hotel | 3 | Nyarutarama | USD 60 | +250 788 867 710 |
| Great Seasons Hotel | 3 | Gacuriro | USD 60 | +250 783 814 000 +250 788 230 397 |
| The Mirror Hotel | 3 | Remera | USD 50 | +250 783 705 716 |
| Greenwich Hotel | 2 | Remera | USD 40 | +250 783 761 086 |
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 specialised care, or evacuated in line with medical evacuation protocols.
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, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre staff will conduct a health risk assessment and authorise departure accordingly.
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.
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.
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 traveling 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 curfew hours.
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.
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.
Passengers are advised to arrive at the Kigali International Airport at least three hours before their flight.
The full list of licensed tour operators and tour guides can be found here.
