Regional Conference Berlin 2024

ICM Regional Conference Africa and Eastern Mediterranean

24-26 September 2024, Kigali, Rwanda

About Rwanda

Rwanda is a country situated in Central Africa, bordered to the north by Uganda, to the east by Tanzania, to the south by Burundi, and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda’s total area is 26,338 square kilometers, with a population density estimated to be 445 people per square kilometer.

Rwanda, also known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” is a landlocked country with five volcanoes, 23 lakes, and numerous rivers, some of which form the source of the River Nile. Situated 75 miles south of the equator in the Tropic of Capricorn, Rwanda lies 880 miles west of the Indian Ocean and 1,250 miles east of the Atlantic Ocean, placing it literally in the heart of Africa. The altitude ranges from 950 meters to 4,500 meters above sea level.

Rwanda experiences two rainy seasons, from March to May and from October to November, with an average rainfall of 110-200 mm per month. The average temperature ranges from 24.6 to 27.6ºC, with the hottest months being August and September.

  • Name: Republic of Rwanda
  • Capital City: Kigali
  • Currency: Rwandan Franc (FRW)
  • Time Zone: UTC +2 (Central Africa Time)

The main water bodies in Rwanda include Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Ihema, Lake Bulera, Lake Ruhondo, and Lake Mugesera. The country’s vegetation ranges from dense equatorial forest in the northwest to tropical savannah in the east.

Main national parks and animal reserves in Rwanda include Akagera, Volcanoes, and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks.

In Rwanda, the great animals of the wild are protected from poachers and roam free in the vast national parks. Volcanoes National Park, located in the Virunga volcanic mountains, is world-famous for mountain gorillas – timid and passive family-oriented giants. The park is teeming with wildlife, both large and small, while Lake Kivu to the west offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas, and an archipelago of islands.

Ease of Access and Visa Information

Passenger flights to Rwanda are operated by RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Regional flights take approximately 66 minutes from Nairobi, Kenya, to Kigali and 30 minutes flying time from Kampala, Uganda, to Kigali.

Main airports and airstrips in Rwanda include Kigali International Airport, Huye Airstrip, Kamembe Airport, and Musanze Airstrip.

Rwanda permits all tourists from across the globe to receive their visas upon arrival:

  • All visitors, except nationals of a few exempted countries, require a Visa to enter Rwanda. Check here for nationalities that require a visa: https://www.migration.gov.rw/visa.
  • Citizens of all other countries can get a visa upon arrival at the port of entry or prior to arrival online or at the local embassy or high commission. Apply for a visa online at https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services. The entry visa fee is valid for a period of up to 30 days. Citizens of COMESA member states can get a 90-day visa on arrival on payment of the prescribed fee.
  • The Government of Rwanda has waived visa for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports from the following countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Israel, Morocco and Turkey.
  • The East Africa Tourist Visa allows entry to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. Applications should be made in advance with the country to be entered first. For Rwanda, applications can be made with the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration or at any Rwandan Embassy or Diplomatic Mission, or online.

Please find more information about public transportation here.

We recommend checking the Visit Rwanda site for more travel information.

Nearby Hotels

 

CHECK THE WAYS TO TRAVEL

Airport Transfers

BUS:

RENTAL CAR:

TAXI:

    • 16min from the Airport
    • Kigali City Centre Taxi Transfers:
    • Kigali Airport Transfers by Viator.com:
      • Overview: 24 hour service Kigali Airport Transfers: All we need is the name of traveler and their flight details.
      • Drop off point: Kigali City, Kigali, Rwanda
      • Cancellation policy: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
      • www.viator.com

Currency

in the respective countries and guidance on currency exchange procedures, including information on card usage

Currency:

    • The Rwandan franc (Rwf) is the principal currency, although US dollars are widely accepted. Expect to pay for local services in cash, in Rwandan francs. The greater the amount, the more likely US dollars or other hard currencies are preferred, such as gorilla tracking and upmarket hotels.
    • The Rwandan Franc id an official currency in Rwanda but for places like the tourism companies, they basically use US Dollars for the tourists in Rwanda as the currency of choice. Also you can use the EURO, UK Pound for the money changing in to Rwandan currency in case you need to purchase products or use it in various places like the bars, restaurants, souvenirs strictly use Rwandan currency since you may get cheated in case you se the US Dollars direct.

Exchange procedures:

    • For the money exchange, is best to always a bit higher bills like 50 and 100 for the best exchange rates, but in case you the smaller bills, you may end getting less in return, also note that, you should obtain dollar bills newer than 2003 and no tears or any marks on them , the money should be new and clean so that its accepted at the forex Bureau.
    • The best way to change your money, is to wait, cross the border until when you reach the town or the city and look for the forex Bureau in Kigali or use an ATM Machine to change your money to avoid losing junks of money to the corn. Men and thief planting them selves in many parts of the city.
    • For the case of Tips, while on the safari in Rwanda, any you need to Tip the guides, potters among others, do not use the US Dollars but only use the Rwandan Franc, since this can immediately be used by the person you are tipping to. Sometimes changing small rates, may be a bit challenging for the people.

Card usage:

    • Very few places in Rwanda accept credit cards. Only the major hotels in Kigali plus a few airlines accept them.
    • There are money-changing facilities in Kigali, which we recommend you use, as it is more difficult to change money while on safari. Visitors are advised that if they are carrying US Dollar cash with them, the notes should be no smaller than $100 denomination, and should have been issued no earlier than 2000. We recommend that you carry cash for convenience and security, and that you change about US$200-300 of this into Rwanda francs at the start of your tour. Cash is more easily exchanged in Rwanda, as many facilities are very reluctant to accept payment by traveler’s cheque.
    • Besides carrying huge sums of money in Rwanda, the best way to keep your money safe, is to have a visa card, while here, you can use the ATM Machine at any time you need to withdraw the money. Its also easy as you get the best rates from your countries currency while changing it to Rwandan Franc, its quite convenient since it does not require you to have a lot of cash on you which may even be unsafe to move around with it.
    • Whereas everything as a disadvantage and advantages, using ATM Machines, may also be a bit challenging because there are extra fees that you have to pay during the withdrawals. Also at times to use the card in Rwanda, just like Uganda, Rwanda or any other African country can be challenging, you will need to notify your bank when travelling to any country in east Africa or Africa, for the case of here now we are looking at Rwanda, you will need to inform your bank that you will be travelling in Rwanda and you will need to be using your card while making withdraws in Rwanda so it may not cause challenged when the transactions are not made.

Weather conditions

during the month of our event (September)

 

  • Historical temperature average in September, In Kigali, Rwanda:
    • 27°C highs / 15°C lows
    • 80°F highs / 59°F lows
CHECK THE WEATHER

About Kigali

 

The City of Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and is located at Rwanda’s geographical heart. Occupying an area of 730 square kilometers, the city is located at latitude 10°58’ S and a longitude 30°07’ E. The average annual precipitation rate is approximately, with an annual average high temperature of 27°C and an annual average low temperature of 16°C.

Kigali is the most visited area in Rwanda. It houses several tourism sites, hotels, and a centrally placed International Airport. Kigali is easy to move around; in fact, most major attractions, conference venues, and hotels are within a 15-minute drive from the city center. The city center is also a 15-minute drive to Kigali International Airport. The easiest mode of transport around Kigali is taxicabs, easily identified by the horizontal yellow stripe on the side of the vehicle.

People & Culture

With an estimated total population of 12.3 million people, Rwanda is a relatively young country. Fifty percent of the Rwandan population is under 20 years old, with the median age standing at 22.7 years old. Rwandans share cultural values, notably unity, patriotism, social cohesion, resilience, and hard work, among others, with Kinyarwanda being the common language spoken in all parts of the country. Other official languages are English, French, and Kiswahili.

The country’s rich culture has become a source of inspiration to craft some unconventional, homegrown solutions to address the challenges and consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. These include, among others, Umuganda (Community work), Imihigo (Performance contracts), Gacaca [traditional] courts, and Abunzi.

Music and dance are integral parts of Rwandan ceremonies, with Umushayayo and Intore dances having won the hearts of cultural performance lovers.