May 2011
Visa
Free on entry for UK citizens
ENTRY
Entry point (from Tanzania): Rusumo
Time taken: 30mins
Costs
None
Money change
None
Process
Fill in arrival form, get stamp. Carnet is stamped at customs next door. Cars are checked for tool kit and fire extinguisher. Polythene bags are prohibited in Rwanda. Insurance (we had Comesa) required.
EXIT
Exit point (to Burundi): Kayanza Haut
Time taken: 30mins
Costs
None
Money
Ecobank in Kiglali near the Union Centre accepts international Visa cards
Fuel
With exchange rate at 590RWF = 1 USD
Kigali: Diesel 1060RWF/litre ($1.80) , Petrol 1060RWF/litre ($1.80)
Camping
Kibuye: Kibuye Guest House/Camping (on T4A v10.05) is no more. Camping at Holiday Hotel at GPS: S 2.055308, E 29.345605 is possible
Butare: Hotel Ibis at GPS: S 2.602072, E 29.742282 allows camping in the car park for free
Gisenyi: Centre d’accueil de I’Eglise Presbyterienne at GPS: S 1.697627, E 29.262000 allows cheap camping in car park
Car workshops
Akagera Motors, Kigali: GPS: S 1.903272, E 30.05085, run by a friendly Ravi Gorajia, also is the main Toyota dealer. Tied to Toyota Burundi in Bujumbura.
Communications
MTN has good coverage and cheap data. Internet access needs to be activated after purchasing SIM (done on the spot at MTN shop)
Useful GPS
Nyungwe Forest Lodge in the Nyungwe Forest is a good if expensive lunch stop. The turn off from the main road is 1.4km from lodge at GPS: S 2.445970, E 29.090877
Africa Bites Restaurant, Kigali at GPS: S 1.951185, E 30.082343 does excellent local fare in an outdoor setting.
The excellent but disturbing Murambi Genocide Memorial (marked incorrectly in T4A v10.05) is at GPS: S 2.457037, E 29.567274 and the track to it from the main road is <link>
Roads
Gisyeni to Kibuye along the lakeshore road: 65mles/4.5hours. Reasonable dirt road with steep and windy sections.
Kibuye to junction of main road from Cyangugu to Butare: 56miles/4.5hours. Similar to above.