Travel Advisory - Rwanda

Updated 13/07/2011 13:46:11

- The Rwanda Police confirmed a grenade explosion on 12 July in Rusizi town (Kamembe near Cyangugu). 21 people were injured and taken to hospital.  Police are investigating.

 - The Rwandan police have reported that a grenade attack took place in the Nyarugenge District of Kigali on the evening of 1 March 2011. There were no reported casualties. There have been previous reports of random grenade attacks reportedly resulting in fatalities and injuries.  It remains unclear who is behind these attacks and we advise travellers to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK.

 - We advise against all travel to the rural border areas with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), except to the towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu. We advise against all travel to Eastern DRC except for Goma and Bukavu.  We advise against all but essential travel to Goma and Bukavu. This is because of the risk of cross-border incursions by armed guerrillas operating from DRC’s Kivu provinces and ongoing instability in Eastern Congo. \

 - We advise against all but essential travel to the rural border areas of Burundi.  

 - Crime levels are relatively low but there have been recent incidents of street crime. You should exercise caution at night.

 - There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

 - You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.