Traveling To
Rwanda: Health Guide
If you’re traveling directly from the US, Rwanda does not require any vaccines to enter.
This changes if your itinerary includes a visit to or a 12+ hour layover in another country before you make it to Rwanda. A Yellow Fever vaccine and proof of vaccination may be required to enter. Check here to see if you are traveling from a Yellow Fever endemic area.Â
*Note that Kenya and Uganda are considered to be a Yellow Fever Endemic country and are often combined with Rwanda. If you are stopping in either country before Rwanda, you will need proof of Yellow Fever vaccination or a Yellow Fever exemption certificate to enter the Rwanda.
Always recommended:
Excluding COVID-19, these vaccines are all recommended during childhood. If you received them as a child, you are all set.
Conditionally recommended:
Rwanda has too many adventures and places to explore for sickness to ruin your plans. Runway can prescribe these trip-saving medications in minutes:
Malaria Medication
is recommended for all travelers visiting Rwanda. Malaria is a risk throughout the country, including Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, Akagera National Park and beyond.
Altitude Sickness Medication
is recommended for locations 8000 ft above sea level to prevent headaches, dizziness, and dehydration. For those planning to visit the Virunga Mountains (spanning from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe National Park), we advise keeping medication on hand as symptoms set in within the first 6-24 hours.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotics
help alleviate an intestinal infection that occurs as a result of eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Traveler’s Diarrhea is common, so it’s a good idea to have medication on hand just in case.
Motion Sickness Medication
is recommended for all the bumps and curves along your journey. Whether traveling by land or water, your safari game drive or cross country road trips will be more enjoyable without nausea and dizziness tagging along.
Add medication to your treatment plan in the section below.
(Required to enter country)
If you’re traveling directly from the US, Rwanda does not require any vaccines to enter.
This changes if your itinerary includes a visit to or a 12+ hour layover in another country before you make it to Rwanda. A Yellow Fever vaccine and proof of vaccination may be required to enter. Check here to see if you are traveling from a Yellow Fever endemic area.Â
*Note that Kenya and Uganda are considered to be a Yellow Fever Endemic country and are often combined with Rwanda. If you are stopping in either country before Rwanda, you will need proof of Yellow Fever vaccination or a Yellow Fever exemption certificate to enter the Rwanda.
Rwanda has too many adventures and places to explore for sickness to ruin your plans. Runway can prescribe these trip-saving medications in minutes:
Malaria Medication
is recommended for all travelers visiting Rwanda. Malaria is a risk throughout the country, including Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, Akagera National Park and beyond.
Altitude Sickness Medication
is recommended for locations 8000 ft above sea level to prevent headaches, dizziness, and dehydration. For those planning to visit the Virunga Mountains (spanning from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe National Park), we advise keeping medication on hand as symptoms set in within the first 6-24 hours.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotics
help alleviate an intestinal infection that occurs as a result of eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Traveler’s Diarrhea is common, so it’s a good idea to have medication on hand just in case.
Motion Sickness Medication
is recommended for all the bumps and curves along your journey. Whether traveling by land or water, your safari game drive or cross country road trips will be more enjoyable without nausea and dizziness tagging along.
Add medication to your treatment plan in the section below.
Always recommended:
Excluding COVID-19, these vaccines are all recommended during childhood. If you received them as a child, you are all set.
Conditionally recommended:
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From vaccination requirements to best health practices, all your Rwanda travel questions answered.
Rwanda does not currently require any vaccines for travel from the United States.
A yellow fever vaccination is required at least 10 days prior to arrival in Rwanda if traveling (including passing through an airport for greater than 12 hours) from a yellow fever risk country designated by the World Health Organization (WHO):Â
Travel with your proof of vaccination card to enter Rwanda.Â
*Note that Kenya and Uganda are considered to be a Yellow Fever Endemic country and are often combined with Rwanda. If you are stopping in either country before Rwanda, you will need proof of Yellow Fever vaccination or a Yellow Fever exemption certificate to enter the Rwanda.
There are several common health conditions to consider when traveling to Rwanda. Runway can help you prepare by prescribing the medication you need before you depart, so you can worry less and explore more while you’re away.
Medications in pill or solid form are approved for international flights. Keep them in your carry-on for convenient access. For liquid medications that exceed 3.4 ounces, you may be asked to pack these in your checked luggage, so plan accordingly.
Medications you procure in Rwanda may not always be manufactured in an FDA approved facility and pharmacies may not always be in close proximity while on safari. Planning in advance with Runway allows you peace of mind of having the medications you need so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Make sure you’re up to date on any routine and recommended vaccinations weeks in advance of your trip to Rwanda.Â
While there are no required vaccines for Rwanda for those traveling from the US, the lists below include recommended vaccines that you might need based on your personal history and trip activities.Â
Recommended Vaccines for Traveling to Rwanda
The list below includes the routine childhood vaccinations that are recommended for traveling to Rwanda. If you received vaccines as a child, you likely received the following and are ready to go:
Other Vaccine Considerations for Travel To Rwanda
Here is a list of additional vaccines for preventable diseases that you may want to consider based on your trip itinerary:
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Sources: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-related-infectious-diseases/yellow-fever
Proper preventative and proactive care can reduce the need to find healthcare in Rwanda. However, we recommend making a list of local doctors and hospitals near the destination you’re staying, in advance of your trip. If you are going on safari in Rwanda, you may not always have quick access to hospitals.
Because of this, we strongly advise you to purchase travel insurance with emergency medical evacuations coverage. Also, most traditional healthcare coverage doesn’t extend internationally, but travel insurance will keep you covered. Fill all prescriptions prior to embarking on your trip to ensure you have enough with you for the duration of your travels plus a few extra days in case of delays.
While Rwanda has the most prized nationalized healthcare system for citizens on the continent, Rwanda requires all visitors to carry travelers insurance with medical coverage. As a small country, medical help is rarely far away. For basic treatment most towns of any size have pharmacies with a limited range of medicines, while larger towns have hospitals. King Faisal Hospital in Kigali is the most advanced in Rwanda. The Joint Commission International website and the U.S. Embassy can also be resources to locate healthcare organizations in or near the city where you’re staying.
Depending on your condition and location, access to appropriate care may vary. We suggest you procure travel insurance which can provide you with additional information and support about costs of services, coverage, and areas of available care. Check your emergency medical evacuation coverage to understand your options of getting you from remote areas to a doctor in the most efficient way possible, in case of emergency.Â
A hospital stay in Rwanda can vary in costs, especially as economic environments change. However, costs are low when compared to medical costs in the US. There is no set intake fee, so it’s best to confirm costs in advance to avoid unexpected expenses. Keep in mind, there are several factors that will contribute to the hospital cost, such as emergency services, x-rays, hospital location, and the duration of the stay.
Prevention is key. Be aware of certain high-risk areas and environments and take proper precautions for each. Take heed of destination updates with regards to weather, vaccination recommendations, and other safety advisories. If you are prone to jet lag, motion sickness, or traveler’s diarrhea get preventative medication from Runway to help keep symptoms at bay.Â
Warm temperatures, time zone differences, and varying levels of activity can all result in health conditions when traveling to Rwanda. Here are common ones to be aware of and prepare for to ensure an optimal trip experience.
Here are a few other things to be mindful of as you plan your trip.
Prepare for every adventure with trip-saving medications from Runway.
Runway offers travelers like you, the medications you may need before you go.