Rwanda: Cultural Kigali, Mountain Gorillas & Wildlife Safaris

• In order to enter Rwanda (and Kenya on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Rwanda. You may purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival for $50 using either cash or a credit card.
• U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain an individual visa order to enter Kenya on the tour extension. You can apply on the Kenyan government’s Electronic Travel Authority website (etakenya.go.ke/en) prior to departure and follow our application walkthrough guide. You can also purchase your ETA by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral—however, these services charge a fee in addition to the cost of your visa.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code RWA.

• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Kigali (or depart from Nairobi on the tour extension).
• Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
• When you arrive in Kigali, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Some transportation by 4x4 landcruiser safari vehicles
• Some transportation by motor coach

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• When walking occurs during sightseeing tours it is over mostly flat terrain, some paved roads, unpaved trails, and dirt paths.
• During the Gorilla trek, travelers should be prepared to trek across moderate to challenging terrain along the slopes of the mountains through the thick tropical rainforest. You should expect an off-trail experience, crossing over logs, rocks, and streams for up to 5 hours.
• Travelers should feel comfortable stepping up and down or climbing a small ladder to get in an out of the 4x4 safari vehicles.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.

Climate Considerations

• Temperatures are consistent year round, but vary significantly morning to afternoon, especially at higher altitude regions.
• Broken into four climatic regions, the Eastern Plains, Central Plateau, the Highlands, and Lake Kivu, Rwanda enjoys a tropical highland climate with mild temperatures year-round, thanks to its high elevation.
• Travelers may encounter hot and humid conditions during the gorilla trek.
• Travelers should be prepared for cold mornings and evenings (40sF-50sF) with mild afternoons of 70F-mid 80sF.
• Kenya (on the tour extension) experiences two rainy seasons, masika, which is mid-March through May, and vuli, November-December.

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!

• This tour includes various modes of transportation, including safari vehicles and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• The tour extension also includes a flight from Kigali to Nairobi.
• During game drives, you will be traveling in a specially equipped safari van, which have high step(s) to board the vehicle. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views.
• Game drives can be long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride and the impact that may have on a body.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

• Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the below requirements:
• Travelers should bring a soft, flexible duffel bag. No hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted.
• Bags can be no larger than 34” W by 17” H by 15.” The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag).
• One small carry-on bag is also permitted.
• Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.

• We recommend packing loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
• During the gorilla trek, we recommend long-sleeved shirts, pants (preferably waterproof or water-resistant), gardening gloves, thick socks, waterproof hiking boots, and a wide-brim hat.
• You may bring collapsible trekking/walking poles to offer you additional support and comfort during the gorilla trek.
• Wear muted colors for the gorilla trek and game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
• Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
• Pack a swimsuit as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
• Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
• Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
• Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
• A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
• On the tour extension, the Kenyan government has a strict ban on plastic bags. It is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.
• Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.

• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels are designed so that each room feels like its own secluded cabin and customers will need to walk outside to reach the common areas.
• Please be advised that the air conditioning in African hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
• Electricity is not guaranteed throughout the night at some of the safari camps.
• Rwanda operates on 230 volts and uses a Type C and J plugs.
• Kenya (on the tour extension) operates on the British standard 240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.

• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
• Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
• We recommend that travelers consult their doctor or healthcare provider about prescription medicine to prevent Malaria.
• If you will be traveling with medical equipment that requires electricity, such as a CPAP, please contact our customer experience team so we can ensure that this can be accommodated.
• Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry on luggage.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code RWA.

• This tour includes seven lunches and seven dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• Included lunches may be picnic style during some longer driving days.
• Rwandan cuisine are often simple dishes usually made with sweet potatoes, beans, corn, peas, plantains, and fruit. Meat is scarcely eaten in rural areas due to livestock being considered a status symbol, but in urban areas beef and chicken are popular in dishes.
• Cuisine in your game lodges will typically serve both traditional Rwandan and other International cuisines, with meals often being crafted from seasonal, local produce.

• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.

• You will use the Rwandan Franc in Rwanda (plus the Kenyan shilling as well as USD on the tour extension).
• You may be able to purchase Kenyan shillings in advance from your local bank or a foreign currency exchange retailer, such as Travelex. There is no limit on importing currency into Kenya, but please note travelers are restricted from carrying more than $100,000 in Kenyan shillings out of the country.
• We recommend that you carry small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later, $1, $5, $10 bills are ideal).
• ATMs are most readily available in Kigali and nearly all major cities (as well as in Nairobi on the tour extension); while there, we recommend taking out cash in small bills to have in the more remote locations on tour.
• Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, game and bus drivers.

• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey in Rwanda.
• You will have a different Tour Director for your tour extension in Kenya than on your main tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.

• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

• Rwanda is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (ET).
• Kenya (on the tour extension) is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (ET).
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Rwanda, and 7pm in Kenya.

• When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
• Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.