Guidelines for reopening tourism in Rwanda amid Covid-19

Guidelines for reopening tourism in Rwanda amid Covid 19. The tourism body of Rwanda-the Rwanda Development Board is gratified to announce the reopening of tourism activities as well as the resumption of international travel for charter flights on Wednesday 17 June 2020.

The body stated that the guidelines for reopening tourism in Rwanda amid Covid 19 were put in place for the well-being of all travelers since it’s our top priority and we have therefore put robust health and safety guidelines in place in order to safeguard them.Book Now

Mountain Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda’s tourism industry has adapted and created a safe environment for travelers and operators, in order to thrive in these unprecedented times. They encourage all travel enthusiasts and nature explorers to take advantage of this unique opportunity to venture out and experience the beauty and adventure that Rwanda has to offer.

Such guidelines applied to different types of tourism activities, operators and attractions including National Parks, boat riding, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, birding, museums, culture, and heritage sites. The guidelines will be updated as the COVID-19 situation evolves, and in conformity with measures from Rwanda Ministry of Health.

The guidelines for reopening tourism in Rwanda amid Covid 19 started to put into action on 17 June 2020 effectively.

Promotional Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Price and Covid 19 permits are now available at a fee of $200 for Rwandans and nationals of East African Community (EAC) residing in Rwanda, and $500 for foreigners who are resident in Rwanda. International tourists $1,500, Corporates/Organizations 10% discount on bulk purchases i.e. 30 permits. Families 15% discount for family visits (couples and children over 15 years old)

 General Requirements for Tourism Re-Opening.

-Ensure a safe working environment for all staff and guests with the necessary health and safety measures at all times.

-Masks: Ensure the correct use of masks for guests and staff at all times.

-Hygiene and sanitation: Provide means to wash/sanitize hands frequently throughout the facility. Sanitize frequently touched public surfaces.

-Physical distancing: Manage the density of people within the tourist facility with the physical distancing of at least 1 – 2 meters.

-Communicate with employees and guests effectively on prevention, including the use of signage, notices, and internal protocols.

-Ensure temperature screening of all incoming guests and alert health authorities on toll-free number 114 in case of an anomaly.

-Tourists are required to use cashless transaction methods such as payment by bank transfer in advance of the visit, mobile money, and debit/credit cards.

-Only privately managed beaches should be open. Beach management should assign a permanent supervisor to monitor the implementation of guidelines for reopening tourism in Rwanda amid Covid 19 prevention.

-Ensure Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) physical distancing guidelines are respected including an unoccupied seat between each passenger in all tourist vehicles and boats.

-Clean and disinfect tourist cars and boats before and after use. Keep 50% occupancy for effective physical distancing.

-All staff operating in national parks and accommodation establishments located in touristic areas are expected to be tested every two weeks.

-Meetings, workshops, seminars, and events respecting 30% occupancy per meeting room/space is permitted. Meeting venues should mark the sitting arrangement to ensure physical distancing.

-Live performances including karaoke of not more than 3 performers are permitted in hotels and restaurants, provided the MoH Covid-19 prevention guidelines are respected.

-These guidelines for reopening tourism in Rwanda amid Covid 19 will be implemented alongside other existing rules in National Parks and other attractions.

Specific Guidelines for International Visitors

-Visitors traveling by charter flights (individual and groups) will be welcomed to the country.

-Visitors are expected to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to arrival.

-Tourists will take a second Covid-19 test prior to visiting any tourist attraction.

The following options are available:

Tourists can take the first Covid-19 RT-PCR (Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) test in the country of origin at an ISO certified laboratory, 72 hours before departure and the second test will be taken upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. They are required to submit the results of the first test to the following address (lab@rbc.gov.rw) before departure and also upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. They will be expected to wait for 8 hours for results of the second test at designated hotels in Rwanda. This is applicable to direct flights only.

-Tourists who are not able to test in their country of origin have the option to be tested twice in Rwanda: The first test will be taken upon arrival at Kigali International Airport while the second test will be taken 48 hours after the arrival. Tourists will only be expected to visit tourist sites after two consecutive negative tests and will wait for their results at designated hotels.

-Departing visitors will also be offered a COVID-19 test at the airport.

-The cost of the COVID-19 test will be included in tour packages.

-While in the country, visitors and flight crew members are expected to abide by guidelines of the Health Ministry and specific guidelines for tourists’ attractions including National Parks.

-For any emergency, question and/or feedback related to COVID -19, please call toll- free number 114.

Specific Guidelines for Domestic Tourists

– Domestic tourists visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Parks are required to test negative 48 hours prior to visiting these attractions. The results should be presented at the Parks’ reception.

-A private test center has been set up at Petit Stade, Amahoro National Stadium. Testing will be done by appointment.

-The cost of Covid-19 test for the domestic market (Rwandans and Foreign Residents) will be included in the parks’ permit prices.

-Rwandans and Foreign Residents are encouraged to take advantage of discounted and diversified tourism packages including visiting various tourist attractions and staying in hotels at various tourism destinations in the country.

-In addition to general guidelines, the following recommendations apply to the national parks:

-For Akagera National Park, vehicle tires and tourist footwear must go through a disinfection bath at the entrance. Tourists should carry hand sanitizers in their vehicles whilst visiting the park.

– Boat trips: will accommodate a maximum of 6 (six) people and the guide.

-Night drives: only 1 (one) group will be permitted, with a maximum of 6 (six) people.

-Day guided game drives: maximum of 6 (six) people per vehicle allowed.

-Tourists are required to maintain a distance of at least 10 meters at all times while visiting primates in Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park.

-For gorilla visits, a group of 6 (six) tourists will be permitted for a maximum of 1 (one) hour for every visitation. For golden monkeys, a group of 12 (twelve) tourists will be permitted for a maximum of 1 (one) an hour for every visitation. For chimpanzees, a group of 8 (eight) tourists will be permitted for a maximum of 1 (one) hour for every visitation.