Country guide
Rwanda
Visa
Visa on arrival
Vaccinations
None required
Currency
Rwanda Franc (RWF)
Time zones
UTC/GMT +2 hours (same as South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 250
Best time to go
mid-March to mid-May
Drinking water
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled.
Travel tips
Credit Cards are not widely accepted.
Visa guide
Entry requirements
- Return flight confirmation/copy of return itinerary.
- An invitation letter with a copy of passport/ID of the inviting party (if host is Rwandan), or copy of residence permit (if host is not Rwandan). If invited by a registered company in Rwanda, the invitation must be on a letterhead.
- If you will not have a host in Rwanda, you need to provide a confirmation of hotel accommodation booking.
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
Visa requirements
South African passport holders are issued a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, at no cost.
For stays of longer than 30 days / should you require a visa, you can apply
- Online www.irembo.gov.rw under Immigration and Emigration.
- At the Embassy: An application form is available at the Embassy.
Issuing authorities
Rwanda High Commission
983 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia
Tel: 012 342 6536 / 076 723 5805
E-mail: ambapretoria@minaffet.gov.rw
Website: www.rwandainsouthafrica.gov.rw
Mon-Thu: 9:00-16:00
Fri: 9:00-14:00
SA representative
South African High Commission
1370 Boulevard de l'Umuganda, Kacyiru-Sud, Kigali
Tel: + 250 252 551 300
E-mail: Kigali.Admin@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/rwanda
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1-2; Feb 1-2; Mar 20; Apr 6-7; May 1, 27; Jul 1, 4, 6; Aug 7, 15, 17; Dec 25-26, 28