What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Rwanda, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
No numbered levels
Updated 4 September 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:New information about vapes and e-cigarette bans in Rwanda and updated information about border measures introduced by the Rwandan Government in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo ('Entry requirements' and 'Safety and security' pages).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Rwanda” of the UK government's travel advice for Rwanda, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 112
Police: 112
Fire: 111
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Rwanda, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties.
You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
Airports in Rwanda have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
Using cameras in secure areas
It is illegal to photograph some government buildings. If you use a drone to take photographs of a prohibited area without a permit, you risk being imprisoned or receiving a severe fine.
LGBT+ travellers
Consensual same-sex sexual acts are not illegal in Rwanda, but can be frowned upon by locals.
Rwanda’s laws do not discriminate against sexual orientation, and its constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Plastic bag ban
There is a ban on plastic bags in Rwanda for environmental reasons. If you have plastic bags when you arrive in the country, they will be confiscated.
Vaporisers, e-cigarette bans
Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned in Rwanda. It is illegal to bring them into the country, including for personal use. If you are found in possession of vapes or e-cigarettes you will have them confiscated and could be fined.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Rwanda, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Rwanda, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The rainy season runs from February to May and from September to December. April is the height of the rainy season. Heavy storms can cause disruption and damage, including landslides and floods. Monitor local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCEG
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
19 °C (66 °F)
Lows
13 °C (55 °F)
Highs
25 °C (77 °F)
Rain
115 mm (4.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
February
Average
20 °C (67 °F)
Lows
13 °C (56 °F)
Highs
26 °C (78 °F)
Rain
95 mm (3.7 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
March
Average
19 °C (67 °F)
Lows
13 °C (56 °F)
Highs
25 °C (78 °F)
Rain
138 mm (5.4 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
April
Average
19 °C (67 °F)
Lows
14 °C (56 °F)
Highs
25 °C (77 °F)
Rain
143 mm (5.6 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
May
Average
19 °C (66 °F)
Lows
14 °C (56 °F)
Highs
25 °C (77 °F)
Rain
118 mm (4.6 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
19 °C (66 °F)
Lows
12 °C (54 °F)
Highs
25 °C (78 °F)
Rain
30 mm (1.2 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
July
Average
19 °C (65 °F)
Lows
12 °C (53 °F)
Highs
26 °C (78 °F)
Rain
15 mm (0.6 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
August
Average
20 °C (67 °F)
Lows
13 °C (55 °F)
Highs
27 °C (80 °F)
Rain
37 mm (1.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
September
Average
20 °C (67 °F)
Lows
13 °C (56 °F)
Highs
26 °C (79 °F)
Rain
94 mm (3.7 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
October
Average
19 °C (67 °F)
Lows
13 °C (56 °F)
Highs
26 °C (79 °F)
Rain
131 mm (5.1 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
November
Average
19 °C (67 °F)
Lows
13 °C (56 °F)
Highs
25 °C (78 °F)
Rain
149 mm (5.8 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
December
Average
19 °C (66 °F)
Lows
13 °C (55 °F)
Highs
25 °C (77 °F)
Rain
119 mm (4.7 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Rwanda.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.