Rwanda’s safari experiences take place in controlled conservation zones, often hours from urban medical services.
Tourists move between high-altitude forests, riverine wetlands, and lowland plains, each carrying its biological exposure. Long walks, early treks, and proximity to wildlife create conditions where health readiness must be deliberate.
The country’s tourism system works with a clear structure. Park entry requires prior permits. Operators follow national safety protocols. Health checks apply at airports and land borders. Within this system, vaccination forms part of a traveller’s preparation, just like documentation, bookings, or gear.
If you plan to travel, health decisions should begin well before departure. So, the question is, what vaccinations does the Rwandan government expect you to have as a tourist, and what does your body need for a safari experience in Rwanda?
Mandatory Vaccinations for Entry into Rwanda
Tourists entering Rwanda must comply with health regulations issued by the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. These requirements help prevent cross-border transmission of infectious diseases and protect the integrity of Rwanda’s conservation areas, where park staff and local communities may have limited access to rapid medical care.
Compliance is verified at entry points and should form part of the traveller’s planning.
1. Yellow Fever
Rwanda requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate from all tourists aged one year and above arriving from countries where Yellow Fever is endemic. This also applies to any traveller who transits through such countries for 12 hours or more. The requirement follows guidance from the World Health Organisation and the Rwanda Directorate of Immigration.
Tourists must receive the vaccine at least 10 days before entry and present proof in the form of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Failure to present a certificate when required may result in denial of entry or on-arrival vaccination at the traveller’s cost.
2. COVID-19
As of the latest update from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required for entry. However, tourists are advised to remain up to date with the most recent entry protocols, as guidelines may change depending on global health conditions or regional outbreaks.
Tourists may still undergo health screening at entry points and are encouraged to carry documentation of COVID-19 vaccination for transit through other countries. In addition, Rwanda retains the right to impose isolation measures or testing where symptoms are observed.
3. International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP)
Tourists subject to Yellow Fever vaccination requirements must present a valid ICVP upon arrival. The certificate confirms immunisation against Yellow Fever and must be issued by an approved vaccination centre. Border control officers may request to inspect this document alongside your passport.
The certificate becomes valid 10 days after the date of vaccination and remains valid for life. Most international travel clinics and national health authorities provide the ICVP at the time of vaccination. Tourists should store this document securely and keep it accessible throughout their journey.
Recommended Vaccinations for Safari Tourists
Rwanda’s safari destinations include montane forest, savannah lowlands, and wetland zones that present varied health exposures. While these vaccines are not legally required, travel medicine authorities recommend them for visitors spending time in rural areas, sharing accommodations with others, or engaging in guided wildlife activities.
The guidance below reflects common risks and preventive steps advised by the CDC and WHO.
a. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water. Rural lodges, local eateries, and communal dining areas increase the risk of exposure. The vaccine requires one dose at least two weeks before travel and a second dose six months later for lifetime immunity.
b. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood or bodily fluids. Although risk is low for casual tourists, it increases for tourists receiving medical care, undergoing dental procedures, or engaging in extended community visits. A three-dose series is recommended, beginning at least four weeks before departure.
c. Typhoid
Typhoid fever spreads via contaminated food or drinking water, especially in regions with limited sanitation infrastructure. Tourists visiting local households, eating street food, or staying in rural camps should consider vaccination. Choose between an oral vaccine taken over one week or an injectable dose at least two weeks before travel.
d. Tetanus (as part of DTP or DTaP booster)
Cuts, scrapes, and insect bites can introduce tetanus bacteria through broken skin. Safari activities such as bushwalking, trekking, or vehicle breakdowns raise this exposure. Ensure your tetanus booster is current within the past ten years before travel.
e. Rabies
Rabies exists in wildlife reservoirs, particularly bats and small carnivores. This vaccine is recommended for tourists engaging in primate trekking, wildlife research, or long-term work in rural parks. Pre-exposure vaccination involves two doses over 7 days. Post-exposure treatment remains available in Rwanda but is limited to urban centres.
f. Polio
Rwanda remains polio-free, but the World Health Organisation, through the Ministry of Health of Rwanda, encourages adult tourists to confirm their booster status. A single adult booster is considered valid for life. Consult your national vaccination records or physician before departure.
g. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Measles outbreaks have occurred in various parts of Africa, including among unvaccinated adult tourists. Ensure you have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, typically administered during childhood. Those unsure of their immunisation history should receive a booster before travel.
Malaria Risk and Prevention in Rwanda
Malaria exists year-round in Rwanda, though prevalence varies by region. The disease transmits through mosquito bites and may cause severe illness if not prevented.
Tourists should prepare in advance. Malaria does not have a vaccine for adults, but it can be prevented with the right medication and consistent protection.
Areas of Malaria Risk in Rwanda
Malaria risk remains moderate to high in low-lying and eastern regions, particularly Akagera National Park, the Eastern Province, and communities along the Rusumo border with Tanzania. Kigali and the Northern Province (including Volcanoes National Park) report fewer cases due to altitude, but exposure is still possible.
The risk increases during the rainy season, typically from March to May and from October to December.
References:
🔗 WHO Malaria Country Profile – Rwanda
🔗 CDC Malaria – Rwanda
Malaria Prevention Medication (Chemoprophylaxis)
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that tourists to Rwanda begin a course of malaria prophylaxis before departure. Common options include:
- Atovaquone-Proguanil (Malarone): Taken once daily, starting 1–2 days before arrival, continued for 7 days after departure
- Doxycycline: Taken once daily, starting 1–2 days before travel, continued for 4 weeks after leaving
- Mefloquine: Weekly dosage, begun at least 2 weeks before departure
Tourists should consult their physician for individual suitability. Some medications require advanced prescription or tolerance testing.
🔗 CDC Malaria Medication Guidance
Behavioural Protection During Safari
Medication alone does not guarantee full protection. Tourists should wear long-sleeved clothing, light-coloured fabrics, and ankle-length trousers after dusk.
Apply DEET-based mosquito repellent to all exposed skin, especially before early-morning or evening activities.
Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets when camping or staying in unfenced lodges.
Close windows before nightfall, and avoid outdoor light that attracts insects.
Park guides may provide nets or repellents, but tourists are encouraged to bring their own supply. Some items are difficult to replace once inside park zones.
When and Where to Get Vaccinated
Travel vaccinations require planning. Some immunisations, such as Yellow Fever or Hepatitis B, must be administered weeks before departure to allow for full immunity and certification. Others, like Typhoid or Rabies, may require a series of doses spread across several days. A travel health consultation should begin six to eight weeks before your scheduled flight to Rwanda. Waiting too long risks incomplete protection or invalid certification at the point of entry.
Vaccines for international travel are typically administered at World Health Organisation-approved centres, national travel clinics, and some private hospitals. In many countries, these facilities are operated through ministries of health or infectious disease units attached to referral hospitals. Below is an updated list of authorised Yellow Fever vaccination centres through the WHO’s official portal.
🔗 WHO: Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres
During your appointment, you should receive a stamped International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). This document verifies compliance with Yellow Fever and other entry-linked requirements.
Tourists must carry the original certificate with their passports. Border health officers may request to inspect it upon arrival at Kigali International Airport or any land border crossing. Some tourists choose to keep a scanned copy in their email or cloud storage, though only the original booklet is recognised as valid documentation.
If you’re preparing to travel, begin these steps early. They are not simply formalities. They enable you to enter Rwanda without interruption and move through protected areas without placing others at risk.
Final Thoughts: Health as Part of Responsible Travel
Vaccination is more than personal preparation. It is part of how you present yourself when entering a place that protects its ecosystems, its people, and its future. Rwanda expects travellers to arrive with a structure. That expectation includes your medical readiness.
Your decisions affect others quietly but consistently. A certificate shown at the border, a choice made six weeks before departure, or a day set aside for a second dose—all of it contributes to the quality of your presence here. And that presence matters.
If you’re planning a safari, partner with those who treat travel as a shared responsibility.
Inmersion Africa Journeys operates with care, regulatory alignment, and trusted relationships in Rwanda’s conservation sector. Our safaris begin with knowledge and continue with respect.
💉 Email: info@inmersionafrica.com
🩺 Call: (+250) 784 988 972