Hello, we just found out that as of November 1, 2010 all Canadians travelling to Rwanda now need tourist visas, which are good for 90 days. We called the Rwandan embassy in Ottawa and were told visas can not be issued at the airport on arrival. They must be applied for through the Ottawa embassy only and cost Cdn. $70. More info:
http://www.migration.gov.rw/page.php?article23
I wonder if Canadians arriving now unknowingly, without visas would be denied entry?
We will be there in February! and thank-you to all who have written such wonderfully informative trip reports, they've been a real help and inspiration!!
Canadians now need visas for Rwanda
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On trip advisor someone reported that they were able to get their visa at the border/airport for $60USD.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g293828-i9987-k4014870-For_the_Canadians_amongst_us-Rwanda.html
Thank-you very much for the link, DJCat. This contradicts what the Rwandan embassy advised re: advance purchase. Thoroughly confusing. I assume then the "entry document" is e-mailed to you once you've applied online? Has anyone been through the process?
Caroline, I hope you have a great trip. Rwanda is so beautiful. I look forward to your comments after you return!
There are still some countries that require visitors to have Visa prior arriving, prior even boarding their international flight. Also, many of the Embassies advise that Visa is required prior travel as they want the money.
Unless you find such details on the Rwanda Visa application form - whether you need prior or can purchase on arrival - suggest you call your international air carrier the one that will get you to Kigale/KGL as their agents would have to check if you have to have before allowing you to board the flight.
Thank-you for that info Sandi. I will look into this. We did find an online application form but the site doesn't look reassuringly secure and demands too much personal information.
Hate to send our passports off to Ottawa so close to the Christmas holidays, though.
Thank-you Leely, I just know Rwanda will be fabulous. My
husband and I really enjoyed your trip report as well as Mydogkyle's and of course Atravelynn's and others. Our first African safari three years ago was brilliant (despite a horrendous encounter with Nairobi Fly during the last part of it.) Can hardly wait to touch down on that continent again! We will have 5 weeks there this time! in three completely different landscapes, with Rwanda in the middle. Would love to hear more details about the golden monkey trek as we will be doing this too. Only 81 more sleeps!
Carolines--
How wonderful you are returning. Here's something to consider for your golden monkey trek: Unlike the gorillas where permits need to be purchased way in advance, people can go on the golden monkey trip at the last minute. When there are gorilla permit problems or people just show up hoping to see gorillas, but there is no availability, they are given the option of seeing golden monkeys. That means there could be a big group for your golden monkey outing, even if you booked way in advance. That happened to me--we had 18. They did send two rangers but we were not sent in separate directions. The quality of that outing was compromised by the large number of visitors in my opinion.
To avoid what happened to me, you could request to go to the golden monkey group that is harder to reach. I have tracked that group and it is not all that difficult. The extra people generally are not assigned to that group. You might be able to determine on the morning of your trek whether you have a crowd or not and then make the request. I was caught unaware until it was too late to ask for a different group. Even if the large group of visitors was split so that some went to each golden monkey group, you'd still cut your numbers.
I still got some nice photos and had a good time on the golden monkey trek, but the conditions were certainly not optimal and you should be aware of what might happen.
Have a fantastic time!