Visiting Africa comes with concerns about health for many travelers, rightly so because of the frequent epidemics and disease outbreaks on the continent. However, Rwanda has a relatively good healthcare system that it is the only country in sub-Sahara Africa where every citizen has a mandatory health insurance cover. Rwanda is also notable for swiftly and efficiently responding to any epidemics and disease outbreaks in the region which is an assurance to travelers that their health is not so much at risk while visiting as compared to many countries in Africa. That said, you will need to vaccinate against diseases as a requirement for you to be allowed into Rwanda and also as a necessary protection against particular diseases or infections common in this region of Africa.
What are the required vaccinations?
Yellow Fever
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) is mandatory for all travelers flying into Rwanda. The yellow fever vaccination should be taken at least 10 days before traveling.
Rwanda is not on the list of the yellow fever risk areas, but neighboring countries of Uganda, Burundi and D.R. Congo are, so in addition to being a requirement you are also protected as the infection is not far.
Covid -19
Travelers flying into Rwanda and are fully vaccinated do not need to take a PCR test before flying to Rwanda. A fully vaccinated person is one that has at least 2 shots.
Not required but necessary
The following are not required for your entry into Rwanda but for your safety are necessary for you to take:
- Malaria – take prescription medicine before, during and after
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis B
- Measles – Mumps – Rubella
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis
- Polio
- Seasonal influenza
Do you need any vaccine the gorilla trekking?
At the moment you are not required to take any vaccination for gorilla trekking and the mandatory testing before the trek was lifted.