Rwanda
Travel Destination – Rwanda
Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda offers remarkable wildlife, lush landscapes, and a welcoming culture.
Visitors can trek through Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas, track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, and enjoy safari experiences in Akagera National Park, home to lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, and abundant birdlife. Kigali offers a vibrant urban experience with cultural attractions and important historical sites, while Lake Kivu provides opportunities to relax with boat trips, lakeside walks, and scenic views.
Rwanda's well-developed tourism infrastructure and diverse attractions make it a rewarding destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Medical facilities are limited outside Kigali, and serious medical emergencies may require evacuation to Kenya.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
When planning travel to Rwanda, booking a travel health appointment before visiting is strongly recommended. Ideally, this should be arranged six to eight weeks before departure, giving enough time for any recommended vaccines, malaria prevention medication, and advice tailored to your specific itinerary.
Health risks can vary significantly depending on whether you are staying mainly in Kigali or spending time trekking in national parks and remote areas. If your departure date is approaching, it is still worth seeking advice as soon as possible, as many important travel health measures can be arranged at short notice.
Travellers should obtain all malaria medication and any regular prescription medicines before leaving Australia, as availability can be limited outside Kigali. Medical facilities in Rwanda are limited, particularly in rural areas, and serious illness or injury may require medical evacuation to Kenya. For this reason, comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation cover can provide important financial protection and peace of mind during your trip.
Insect avoidance
Malaria is a risk throughout Rwanda. The mosquitoes responsible feed predominantly after dark, but dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes that bite mainly during daylight hours. Protection from bites needs to be maintained from morning through to night rather than focused on any particular part of the day.
Covering exposed skin with long-sleeved clothing and trousers, particularly from dusk onwards, forms a reliable physical barrier against evening mosquito activity. DEET or picaridin-based repellent applied to uncovered skin throughout the day should be reapplied consistently, particularly after perspiring or washing.
When visiting Volcanoes and Nyungwe, where jungle environments increase insect density, permethrin-treated outer clothing provides a meaningful additional layer of protection.
Accommodation with fly screens or air conditioning is preferable, and a permethrin-treated bed net is necessary in any room without reliable insect-proofing. Stagnant water around accommodation should be emptied where possible, as this removes mosquito breeding sites close to where you sleep.
Food and water hygiene
Rwandan cuisine features staples such as plantains, beans, sweet potato, cassava, and grilled meat brochettes, with fresh fish from Lake Kivu also popular. Eating safely throughout the trip requires some consistent attention to hygiene habits to help prevent gastroenteritis. These precautions apply in both urban restaurant settings and more informal rural or lodge environments.
Before every meal, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, or alcohol-based sanitiser used when handwashing facilities are not readily available. Freshly prepared food that arrives hot represents the lower-risk option, while raw dishes, pre-prepared cold items, and food left at room temperature for any length of time carry a higher chance of causing illness. Peel any fruit yourself before eating rather than accepting it pre-cut.
Tap water quality in Rwanda varies and cannot be assumed safe. Bottled water in sealed containers should be used for drinking and dental hygiene throughout the stay, and ice in drinks should be verified or avoided.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Rwanda and circulates in dogs, bats, and other mammals. The disease is essentially invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear, and access to post-exposure treatment is limited outside Kigali, making prevention and early post-exposure management the highest priorities.
Physical contact with any unfamiliar animal throughout the visit should be avoided. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies. Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know. Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth. Gorilla trekking and forest activities bring travellers into environments where wildlife contact is more likely. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is recommended for those visiting national parks, spending extended time in the country, or engaging in outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, or caving.
Any bite, scratch, or contact of broken skin or mucous membranes with animal saliva requires the wound to be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water, followed by prompt medical assessment, regardless of prior vaccination status.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Rwanda?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a liver infection acquired by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the virus. Symptoms range from mild fatigue and nausea to prolonged jaundice and significant ill health, with severity increasing with age.
Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers to Rwanda, as exposure is possible across a wide range of eating settings. Two doses provide durable long-term protection, and many Australians have not yet completed the course.
Typhoid
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Salmonella Typhi bacteria in contaminated food or water cause typhoid fever, which produces persistent high fever, headache, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort that can worsen significantly without antibiotic treatment.
Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers, especially those who are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or those sampling local food more adventurously. Vaccination reduces but does not entirely eliminate risk, so attention to food and water hygiene remains important throughout the trip.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in Rwanda and circulates in dogs, bats, and other mammals. The disease is essentially invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear, and access to post-exposure treatment is limited outside Kigali, making prevention and early post-exposure management the highest priorities.
Physical contact with any unfamiliar animal throughout the visit should be avoided. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies. Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know. Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth. Gorilla trekking and forest activities bring travellers into environments where wildlife contact is more likely. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is recommended for those visiting national parks, spending extended time in the country, or engaging in outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, or caving.
Any bite, scratch, or contact of broken skin or mucous membranes with animal saliva requires the wound to be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water, followed by prompt medical assessment, regardless of prior vaccination status.
Mpox
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Mpox cases have been confirmed in Rwanda. The virus spreads through close physical contact with an infected person or animal, including direct skin contact, prolonged face-to-face exposure, and contact with contaminated surfaces or materials.
Travellers should practise safe sex, avoid close contact with anyone showing a rash illness with fever, and remain alert to any skin lesions, lymph node swelling, or unexplained fever during or after travel.
Mpox vaccination may be appropriate for some travellers depending on planned activities and individual risk, and a travel doctor can advise on eligibility and availability.
Measles
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Measles travels through the air and is a highly contagious virus that can persist in an enclosed space for an extended period after an infected person has left. It causes fever, cough, and a spreading rash, with complications including pneumonia possible in some cases.
Outbreaks continue to occur globally, and all Australian travellers heading overseas should ensure they are covered before departure. Those born in 1966 or later who have not had two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine should raise this with a travel doctor before leaving.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, including through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of needles, and non-sterile medical or cosmetic procedures.
Vaccination for hepatitis B is recommended for many travellers to Rwanda, particularly those who may require any medical or dental care during their stay, those undertaking longer visits, and those whose planned activities involve closer engagement with local communities. Many Australians received the hepatitis B vaccine through childhood immunisation programs, but some adults have not, and the need for vaccination is worth confirming with a travel doctor.
Cholera
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Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water and can cause severe diarrhoea and rapid dehydration. Rwanda has reported cholera outbreaks, particularly in areas near international borders and large bodies of water, although the risk for most travellers remains low.
Careful food and water precautions are the best protection. Drink bottled or properly treated water, avoid ice unless its source is known to be safe, wash or sanitise your hands regularly, and choose food that has been freshly cooked and served hot.
Cholera vaccination may be recommended for some travellers, particularly those spending extended periods in areas with limited sanitation, undertaking humanitarian or healthcare work, or travelling to locations experiencing active outbreaks. Discuss your individual risk with a travel health professional before departure.
Routine vaccinations
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Visiting Rwanda provides a practical prompt to verify that all standard immunisations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis B, and polio. A tetanus booster is worthwhile if more than ten years have elapsed since the previous dose, particularly for travellers planning gorilla trekking, jungle walks, or other outdoor activities where minor cuts and abrasions are more likely.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and over. COVID-19 vaccination should be current in line with Australian public health guidance, including booster doses for those aged 65 and over or with relevant underlying health conditions.
Rwanda
Other health risks in Rwanda
Malaria
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Malaria is a serious illness caused by infection of red blood cells with a parasite called Plasmodium. It is transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dusk and dawn.
Symptoms of malaria usually begin with a fever of 38°C or more, with other symptoms including feeling cold and shivery, headache, nausea, vomiting, and aching muscles. Symptoms may appear between seven days and several months after the infected mosquito bite, and prompt diagnosis and treatment is required as people with malaria can deteriorate quickly.
Malaria risk due predominantly to Plasmodium falciparum exists throughout the year across the entire country, with transmission peaking during the rainy seasons between May and June and again between November and December.
Antimalarial medications are recommended for all travellers to Rwanda regardless of itinerary or length of stay. Resistance to the medication chloroquine is established, and other appropriate options are available. Consult your travel doctor for advice and a prescription for the most appropriate antimalarial. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip.
Any fever developing during travel or within four weeks of returning home warrants immediate medical assessment, with travel history clearly provided to the treating clinician.
Gastroenteritis
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Bacteria, viruses, and parasites in contaminated food or water are the most common causes of gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal illness in Rwanda. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally fever, typically developing within one to three days of exposure. While most cases are mild and resolve without complications, some can lead to significant dehydration, particularly in young children, older travellers, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Travellers who eat primarily at reputable hotels, lodges, and established restaurants generally face a lower risk. The likelihood of gastroenteritis increases when eating food from roadside vendors, local markets, community settings, or locations where food storage, preparation, and hand hygiene standards may be difficult to verify. Care should also be taken with untreated water, ice, unpasteurised dairy products, and raw or undercooked foods.
Maintaining hydration is the most important aspect of treatment. Oral rehydration solutions are particularly useful for replacing lost fluids and electrolytes, while rest and a light diet can help recovery. Most travellers improve within a few days, but medical attention should be sought if symptoms are severe, persistent, accompanied by blood in the stool, high fever, or signs of dehydration such as dizziness, lethargy, or reduced urination. Healthcare facilities are limited outside Kigali, and serious cases may require transfer to higher-level medical care.
Dengue
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Dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite primarily during the daytime, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. Dengue risk in Rwanda is considered low, but transmission is possible and travellers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites throughout their stay.
Symptoms usually develop 4 to 10 days after a mosquito bite and can include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and a rash. Most people recover fully, but a small number can develop more serious complications requiring hospital treatment.
There is no specific treatment for dengue. Prevention relies on reducing mosquito bites by using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and staying in accommodation with screens or air conditioning where available. These precautions are also important for protection against other mosquito-borne illnesses that may occur in the region.
Schistosomiasis
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Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia), a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Rwanda.
Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers. The parasite penetrates intact skin following contact with contaminated freshwater, meaning even brief wading or accidental immersion can result in infection. Lake Kivu presents this risk despite its scenic appeal, and freshwater swimming across the country should be avoided.
No vaccine or preventive medication for schistosomiasis is currently available. Any traveller with potential freshwater exposure can arrange testing on returning to Australia, where effective treatment can be provided before the infection causes long-term damage.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial lung infection carried through the air when an infected person coughs, talks, or sings in a shared space, causing persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and gradual weight loss over weeks.
Rwanda carries a tuberculosis burden above the global average, and the disease remains prevalent in both urban and rural settings. Short-stay tourists are at relatively lower risk.
Travellers spending extended time in Rwanda, those working in healthcare, educational, or humanitarian roles, or those in prolonged close contact with local communities face a higher level of exposure and should discuss TB screening with their travel doctor before leaving Australia and again on returning home. A persistent cough developing after travel to Rwanda warrants medical review with full travel history disclosed.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Security risks in Rwanda vary by region, with greater concerns near the DRC and Burundi borders, where tensions and border closures can occur. Travellers should take normal precautions against theft, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and follow local security advice. Extra caution is recommended when visiting national parks such as Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest.
Security conditions can change, so travellers should check the Australian Government's Smartraveller website before and during their visit.
Altitude sickness
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Rwanda's highlands sit at elevations that make altitude a genuine consideration for some travellers, particularly those undertaking summit hikes within Volcanoes National Park. The volcanic summits within Volcanoes National Park reach considerable altitudes, with Mount Karisimbi at 4,507 metres and Mount Bisoke at 3,711 metres.
Ascending to these elevations can trigger symptoms of acute mountain sickness in susceptible individuals, including headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. Travellers planning volcanic summit hikes should pace their ascent carefully, remain well hydrated, be familiar with the early warning signs of altitude illness, and descend promptly if symptoms develop or worsen. A travel doctor can discuss whether preventive medication is appropriate for those planning high-altitude activities.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road conditions in Kigali, Rwanda, and on major intercity routes are good by regional standards, though they can deteriorate in rural and highland areas.
Rainy seasons run from February to May and from September to December, during which flooding and mudslides can make roads unusable, and travellers should be prepared to change their travel plans. Night driving in unfamiliar areas carries elevated risk and should be avoided.
All national park visits, gorilla and chimpanzee treks, and excursions to forested areas should be conducted exclusively through licenced operators with experienced guides. Mount Karisimbi and other volcanic peaks within Volcanoes National Park reach over 4,000 metres, and appropriate physical fitness, equipment, and preparation are essential for high-altitude climbs.
Travellers should ensure their travel insurance specifically covers the activities they plan to undertake, including gorilla trekking and high-altitude hiking.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, is a potential risk during long-haul travel. Flights from Australia to Rwanda typically involve multiple connections and can take fourteen to eighteen hours or longer. Prolonged sitting can reduce blood flow in the legs and increase the risk of clot formation.
Travellers can reduce this risk by walking regularly, doing in-seat exercises such as ankle rotations and calf raises, and staying hydrated. Those with additional risk factors, such as previous DVT, recent surgery, pregnancy, hormonal contraceptive use, or significant overweight, should consult a travel doctor about whether compression stockings are appropriate.