Do not travel to Rwanda due to COVID-19. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Rwanda due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendation for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 related restrictions and conditions in Rwanda. The U.S. Embassy cannot release you from Government of Rwanda-required quarantine. If you test positive for COVID-19 in Rwanda, you will be required to quarantine until you receive a negative test result regardless of your vaccination status and U.S. Embassy assistance will be limited. Consular services during this period will be limited.
Read the country information page.
Exercise Increased Caution in:
- The Rwanda-Burundi border due to armed conflict.
- The Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border due to armed conflict.
If you decide to travel to Rwanda:
- See the U.S. Embassy’s webpage regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review and Crime and Safety Report for Rwanda.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Rwanda-Burundi Border – Exercise Increased Caution
The Nyungwe Forest National Park abuts the border with Burundi. Borders may not be clearly marked. It is required to obtain permits from the Rwanda Development Board prior to entry. Relations between Burundi and Rwanda are tense and there have been cross-border incursions and armed clashes.
Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Border – Exercise Increased Caution
Armed rebel and militia groups operate in DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces and Virunga Park. Borders may not be clearly marked and there have been cross-border incursions and armed clashes. It is required to obtain permits from the Rwanda Development Board prior to entry to Volcanos National Park in Rwanda, which is adjacent to Virunga Park.
Reissued with updates to COVID-19 information.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda, Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kacyiru, Kigali
- +250-252-596-400
- ACSKigali@state.gov
- https://rw.usembassy.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-444
- No longer in Rwanda? Please visit here to unsubscribe from Rwanda’s alerts.