Just when life seemed to be getting back to near normal in Rwanda and the world, Omicron has come along. Travelling to Rwanda was becoming easier with a number of restrictions being lifted, such as the mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival (for vaccinated travelers) which every traveler dreaded! But the emergency of the Omicron variant has washed away these gains.
The government has been left with no choice but to reinstate some of the strict guidelines to try and slow down the Omicron variant which is said to be 10 times more effective at spreading than the dreaded Delta variant.
Mandatory 3 days hotel quarantine on arrival in Rwanda, but NOT FOR TOURISTS
The most significant guideline for travelers flying into Rwanda is that travelers will be required to quarantine in designated hotels for 3 days to monitor them for Omicron. This will be at the traveler’s cost. There is a list of approved hotels of different budgets for travelers to choose from. The hotels prices were subsidized by the government and are therefore relatively affordable across the different categories.
When a traveler tests negative at the end of the 3 days he or she would be released. Otherwise, she or he will be taken to a medical facility where she or will be treated, at own cost, till she or he turns negative.
Tourists visiting the national parks will NOT hotel quarantine for 3 days
Tourists who are visiting the four national parks of Rwanda, namely Nyungwe National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Gishwati – Mukura National Park, and Akagera National Park are exempted from the mandatory 3 day hotel quarantine. However, the tourists shall be required to take a PCR test on day 3 and 7 of their stay in Rwanda, and in addition do daily rapid tests throughout their trip in Rwanda. Costs of all the above tests fall on the tourist.
This implies, for instance, if you planned to fly into Rwanda for the popular 2 day gorilla trekking trip to the Volcanoes National Park your plans are not hindered at all by the new guidelines. If, however you will be coming for a longer birding safari in Rwanda then take not of the required tests along the trip.
Other guidelines to note for travelers
All travelers visiting Rwanda are required to have a negative PCR test results of a test taken 72 hours to the time of arrival in Rwanda.
All travelers will undergo a PCR test on arrival. Samples will be taken at the airport before the traveler is taken for the 3 day hotel quarantine.
All travelers departing Rwanda must take a PCR test 72 hours before the time of their flight and will present the negative result at departure.
Tourism destinations remain open
All tourism destinations remain open for tours, so you can still continue to plan for your tours in Rwanda which include among others: gorilla trekking in the volcanoes, chimpanzee tracking the Nyungwe forest, Big five safari trips to Akagera National Park or even hiking the Mt. Bisoke volcano in the Virungas for hiking enthusiasts!
However note there are particular Standard Operating Procedures for visiting each of these tourism destinations.