Get your international Driving Permit for Rwanda in 8 minutes

The Republic of Rwanda is located in East-Central Africa, with Kigali as its capital. The country is home to a population of endangered species, as well as breathtaking nature. Surrounded by lush scenery, it earned the moniker “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Rwanda also has access to Lake Kivu, one of the “Great Lakes of Africa.” Truly a majestic country to see, and almost all of it is accessible by driving.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is without a doubt the most popular tourist spot in all of Rwanda. With the jungle all around you, and the chance to see the amazing mountain gorillas, it’s truly a memorable experience. The park has many activities you can partake in, as well as other locations to visit. Of all the nature preservation parks in Rwanda, perhaps this one is the most photo-friendly. Taking photos of the gorillas and locations is encouraged, as long as you keep the rules in mind.

The best part is that all funds gathered from tourists fuel the conservation effort in keeping these majestic gorillas safe. Once plagued with poachers and hunters, the government has done a great job in making sure the park is a haven for the gorillas, as well as other rare primates. Some poachers have even hung up their hunting gear and now serve as guides in the park to protect the animals. Coming face to face with these gentle giants is a humbling experience.

The best time to go to Volcanoes National Park is during Rwanda’s dry seasons. The dry seasons in Rwanda are from June to September and again between December to February. The weather is cooler in the mountains during these times, and it won’t be too tiring to do a gorilla trek or hiking to other spots in the park. March to May are the absolute worst months to visit the park. These are the Rwandan rainy months and would make trekking and hiking extremely difficult.

Lake Kivu

Most of the quality hotels in Rwanda can be found by Lake Kivu. Most of them give you an excellent view of the tranquil waters. You can enjoy a peaceful afternoon under one of the many straw umbrellas around the beach while enjoying food and drinks. Or take part in a variety of water-based activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, or even take a boat tour.

Boat tours in Lake Kivu involve taking you around to various islands in the lake. Each one has something unique to offer, like an island dedicated to farming coffee and macadamia nuts. Or one island that offers the best swimming spot in the lake. Onshore, there are a variety of hot springs to choose from, giving you the chance to unwind after driving all day. Book a massage at these hot springs and let your aches melt away.

Lake Kivu is such a large body of water that it passes through Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. So it’s not uncommon to meet tourists from Congo or other territories. The best months to visit Lake Kivu is during the dry months of June and July, where the day is a bit cooler and the nights are more temperate.

Road safety is essential in Rwanda, and you'll often see police stops and traffic officers with speed sensors. Keeping in mind the Rwanda driving rules, remember that vehicles drive on the right side here. The police stress safe driving, so always ensure the way is clear before overtaking another car or entering a roundabout.

Drunk Driving is not allowed

In Rwanda, drunk drivers are viewed very poorly. A blood alcohol level of 0.8 or higher is enough to get you thrown in jail for 24 hours, on top of an RWF150,000 ($150) fine. Even if you were just drinking a few bottles, if people around you knew you are going to drive, you will be viewed negatively. Even driving with a blood alcohol level lower than 0.8 is frowned upon. If you have to drink, make sure you have a designated driver with an International Driver’s Permit.

The police conduct random alcohol checkpoints. Here they will have you take a random sobriety test and check if you are within the permitted blood alcohol level. Refusing to take the test will result in a fine of RWF 150,000 ($150), which is the same fine for drunk driving. If you possess a Rwandan driver’s license, drunk driving is grounds for your license to be invalidated.

Observe the speed limit

Kigali has a lower speed limit than most other cities due to its history with vehicular accidents in the past. These limits are taken seriously, and violating them could cost you RWF50,000 ($50). It’s important to note that some speed limit signs in Kigali are not set permanently. A road’s speed limit could change depending on the time of day, and police officers will change the signs to reflect these. This is done to mitigate traffic jams, as well as for pedestrian safety.

Some people like to play with the speed limit, thinking a $50 fee is manageable. However, in Rwanda, police have the right to raise your fine based on the number of multiple infractions. If you were speeding and not everyone in the vehicle had seat belts, they can raise the fine. The more infractions you have, the more they can raise the fine to nine times the regular amount per infraction. There have been cases of fines as high as $500.

Always keep right

Due to the small size of the country, as well as its capital, the majority of the roads in Rwanda are two lanes in each direction. Drivers are encouraged to stay on the rightmost lane, leaving the left lane for overtaking only. This is to ensure that drivers don’t block each other or get overly aggressive when trying to overtake. It also makes exiting the multiple roundabouts in the city easier.

Always carry your papers

Drivers should always carry all documents on driving. These include your native driver’s license, your insurance papers, car rental agreement, and your international driver’s license. Officers are very strict on this, the police will ask for your international driver’s license as verification of your identity.

Republic of Rwanda - Rwanda National Police

Address: P. O. Box 6304 KIGALI - RWANDA

Phone Number: +250 788311155

Customer care Desk

Phone Number: +250788311533

Motor vehicle inspection services

Phone Number: +250788311734