How to Find Luxury Hotels in Rwanda

Home to nearly 10 million people, Rwanda is a hilly, continental African nation. This former Belgian colony nation is poor. Health concerns are a large issue. Plus, Rwanda went through a genocidal war over 10 years ago. Still, the country is now starting to welcome tourists. Keep in mind that "luxury" is a relative term when applied to Rwandan accommodations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• Computer with Internet access

Book Luxury Accommodations in Rwanda

1. Call the Rwanda Tourism Board at 011 +(250) 576 514 for information on booking accommodations in Rwanda, or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
2. Book accommodations at the Hotel des Mille Collines by calling 011 ([phone] or by visiting their Web site (see Resources below).
3. Pay in Rwandan francs. Only the largest and most expensive hotels will accept credit cards.
4. Reserve a room in one of the more common small Rwandan hotels. Travelers report that the staff is usually friendly and helpful. Don't expect air conditioning. Power fluctuations and plumbing difficulties are not uncommon.
5. Choose Kigali, Rwanda's capital city, as your destination. There, you'll find the greatest variety of luxury accommodations.
6. Book a room at one of the few international chain hotels in Kigali for the most comfort. These rooms are air conditioned (don't expect this everywhere), and have friendly staff.

Acquaint Yourself with Rwanda

7. Know that Rwanda adopted a constitution in 2003. The country is now governed by a parliament. In an attempt to safeguard against the violence of the past, the constitution requires one third of the parliament to be women.
8. Bring plenty of your medications with you to Rwanda. Medicine and medical care are in short supply there.
9. Obtain an inoculation against yellow fever before departing for Rwanda. You must be vaccinated to enter Rwanda.
10. Respect the loss of family members that most Rwandans suffered during the war and avoid using the terms Hutu or Tutsi.

Enjoy Your Visit to Rwanda

11. Bask in Rwanda's tropical climate. Take advantage of the beauty of the jungle.
12. Tour Rwanda to see the multitude of African animals that make their homes in Rwanda.
13. Take a primate tour in one of Rwanda's national parks. Nyungwe Forest hosts 13 species of primates.
14. Snap photos of the rare mountain gorilla in the Virunga Mountains. You'll need a permit from the Rwandan Tourism board to visit the gorillas. Dian Fossey's research helped to preserve the Rwandan mountain gorillas and she is buried in Rwanda.

Tips & Warnings

• International phone numbers here include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Inform your doctor that you plan to travel to Rwanda. Follow whatever vaccination advice you receive.
• Avoid looking people older than you directly in the eye. This shows respect.