Border Crossing at Rusumo:

The road in Tanzania before the border was horrific potholes. It took us 2 1/2 hours to cover the 60Kms. The last Tanzanian fuel is about 1kms before the border. It is more expensive than the rest of Tanzania but much cheaper than Rwanda.

The border system os a one gate system. That is both exit Tanzania and enter Rwanda is handled in the one building. BUT there are two buildings, for the entry to Rwanda/ exit Tanzania you drive a long fenced road and cross the river for about 2kms to reach this building.

Basically keep following the signs “Rusomo Border Post ->”

Before you reach the border post you cross road sides as now you drive on the RIGHT SIDE.

In the vehicle line up an offer will come and ask for the carnet. He inspected and returned and told us to go to the right ( light vehicles/cars) and the building on the right.

Immigration:

1)

In the first building you go to the window” Tanzania EXIT”. He stamped the passports and then the next window id ‘Rwanda Arrival’

We had already applied on line for a “East Africa Tourist Visa” (multiple entry to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya) and handed him the paperwork we had previously printed out from home.

He handed us a ‘ticket’ for each person

2)

Went to the window at the other end of the hall called “ Rwanda Customs Service”.

Handed over ‘ticket’ and passport, and they gave a payment details slip.

3)

Next the bank window in the same building and paid US$100/person.

Given a receipt.

4)

Back to ‘Rwanda Arrival’ window and hand over bank receipt and passports.

They asks? occupation? address? ( ‘camping’ is acceptable)

Takes photo and puts East African Visa in passport.

Vehicle Import and 3rd Party Insurance:

Back to the Customs at the end of the building ( where you were before) and to the Left window which is “Tanzanian Customs Service”

They signed out the Carnet.

Then to the right to the “ Rwanda Customs Service” and they signed in the Carnet

We have already 3rd Party insurance from COMESA Insurance for all the countries ahead. See Tanzania info.

Travel in Rwanda:

In Rwanda you drive on the RIGHT side.

This is my note on the dash so i am constantly reminded !

Traffic is far more organised than other central and southern Africa countries. Here they actually stop for pedestrians on a zebra crossing. Motorbikes however zig zag in and out of everything.

There is a strong military/armed police presence, particularly in Kigali and we felt very safe.

Camping:

We found camp sites from those on Pocket Earth. Average cost was RF10,000 ( A$15)

Apart from the one in Kigali ( and it was the only one we found there) they were all clean, some in great locations.

Food:

In Kigali we shopped at the Nukumatt Supermarket in the centre of the city however a great bread shop called Brood and a very good Sawa City Supermarket was handy to the One Love campsite in the same KN7 Road.

Other towns had smaller supermarkets for processed food only.

Fuel:

Diesel is more expensive in Rwanda at RF 985/litre (A$1.25) compared to A$1.09 to 1.13 in Tanzania.

Diesel is the same price across the country.

Water:

We found in some of the camp sites but not always accessible.

Internet:

Here there are many operators. We chose Tigo because it was recommended that they were better for data only. Available in both 3 and 4G, we chose 4G and 3.5Gb for 1 week and paid RF10,000 (A$15), Reception and speed was very good.

For our actual Travel Diary through Rwanda see: GoannaTracks Rwanda

Return to: DIY Kit For Overland Travel