Providing education fees, uniforms, and books to children so that they can attend school and learn a trade for self-sufficiency.

Building a secondary (high school) in Rwanda which will provide the highest level of education available in the country and open to all who qualify academically.

Microfinance (loans & credit) is the practice of extending small loans (often less than $100) to the poor for income-generating activities often coupled with other financial services such as savings and insurance. 98% of all loans are repaid in full, confirming the validity of the programs and the value of self-sufficiency. Through microfinance, loan recipients can secure better nutrition, education, healthcare and housing for themselves and their families. A newer program is one of home rebuilding loans to beneficiaries who have successfully gone through the micro loan cycle a number of times. These loans are incredibly effective in empowering the poorest of citizens to rebuild a mud home into one with a foundation and cement walls. 100% of all loans have been paid in full!

Itafari has partnered with the Rwandan government and ASSIST, a local Rwandan not for profit to provide goats to Child Headed Household cooperatives.  These nanny goats will be bred with South African Boer goats to produce a highly desirable and hardy goat.  These goats are produced for mean and will provide the cooperatives with a sustaining income for these children. This joint venture by the government, Itafari and ASSIST is the perfect example of successfully working together to help eradicate poverty for the most vulnerable.

Itafari works with Gahaya Links to sell the beautiful baskets made by the women of Rwanda.  These women are paid a fair wage and the sale of these baskets in the US at Itafari Pay It Forward events raises awareness and dollars of Rwanda.

(Image of Master Weaver Mukakamanzi Theresa)

A 30-day Holiday/tourist visa (V1) will need to be purchased when you arrive in Kigali. It is $50USD and will be paid at entry. This is not included in your package and be prepared to make payment upon entry.

Some vaccines that are recommended or required for travel to Rwanda include:

• Yellow fever: A valid yellow fever certificate is required for entry to Rwanda for all foreign visitors and citizens over the age of one. This is required if you are traveling from or have been in transit through an infected area for more than 12 hours.
• Hepatitis A: A recommended vaccine for travel to Rwanda.
• Typhoid: A recommended vaccine for travel to Rwanda.
• Rabies: A recommended vaccine for travel to Rwanda, especially if you are traveling extensively through Africa.
• Hepatitis B: A recommended vaccine for travel to Rwanda.

Other vaccines to consider include Tetanus, Diphtheria, Meningococcal Meningitis, Cholera, and Tuberculosis.

You should also be up to date on all routine vaccinations.

You should also take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites, such as: Using mosquito repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net, covering your skin with light-colored clothing at night, and keeping your tent or room doors closed. If mosquitos love you, consider spraying your clothes prior to travel. You can find safe options on Amazon.com.

You should consult your doctor to see if you should take malaria prophylaxis before entering Rwanda.

Plan ahead for getting your vaccinations: some of them require more than one injection, while some should not be given together.  You should see a travel doctor six weeks prior to departure.  To find a travel clinic there are 3 ways to go:

1. Goggle and look under the blue pages of Government listings. Go to the County, and then look under the heading of Health Service then Travel Immunization.
2. Ask your family doctor for a doctor who specializes in Travel medicine.
3. Call your local university as many of them have a travel clinic.

Required for Rwanda

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries in East Africa. For detailed information, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center.

As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Read more here.

International Flights: You are responsible for booking your international flights to/from Kigali, Rwanda. If you choose, you can book through our preferred Portland-based travel agent who is already familiar with our program:

Confirmation: You will need to reconfirm your international flight two days prior to departure. All group domestic flights and international return flights will be reconfirmed by your trip leader.  Seat assignments often can be made in advance for the international flight but are usually not available for domestic flights where seating is on a first-come, first serve basis.

Check In: International airlines require that you check-in for your international flight no later than two hours prior to departure.  This much or more time is often needed because of time-consuming security checks and the risk that the airline may have overbooked the flight.  One of your three co-hosts will be meeting the group upon arrival in Kigali.

Baggage: Should your luggage get lost en route to Rwanda, it may take several days to recover. Valuable items such as cameras or binoculars, and essentials such as prescription medications and of course your travel documents and money should always be hand carried on all flights.  Checked luggage should be locked and properly labeled.   On most flights to Kigali, you are allowed to check two bags and have one carry-on bag.  Each of your checked bags can weigh up to 70 Ibs.  The carry-on must fit under the seat or above in the overhead bin. Please remember that the U.S. has imposed new regulations regarding fluids in your carry-on. Be sure to review those here.

Missing Your Flight: If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, please contact your trip leader via email address or at the hotel in Kigali immediately.  If your flight was canceled, or you missed your flight, you need the airline to put you on the next flight to your destination – either on one of their flights or on another carrier.  Explain that you are joining a pre-paid trip, and you must arrive in time, or you will have trouble meeting up with your group.  Once you know what time you will arrive in Kigali please call or email your trip leader in Kigali.  If you are not met at the airport upon arrival, go to the group hotel.  If the group has already departed, ask for a message from the trip leader or call the emergency contact number listed on your final bulletin for further information.

Departure Taxes: Departure tax from the U.S. and from Rwanda is included in your ticket.

The currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc.  Notes come in RFr100, RFr500, RFr1000 and RFr5000.  Exchange rates vary but are about $1 – RFr1300.  We urge you to try to spend all of your Francs while you are in Rwanda because the reverse exchange rate from Francs is very unfavorable. Be aware that only paper currency will normally be accepted for exchange. Very few places in Rwanda accept credit cards. Only the major hotels in Kigali plus a few airlines accept them. There are money-changing facilities in Kigali, which we recommend you use, as it is more difficult to change money while on safari. Visitors are advised that if they are carrying US Dollar cash with them, the notes should be no smaller than $100 denomination, and should have been issued no earlier than 2000. We recommend that you carry cash for convenience and security, and that you change about US$200-300 of this into Rwanda francs at the start of your tour. Cash is more easily exchanged in Rwanda, as many facilities are very reluctant to accept payment by traveler’s cheque.

All participants should carry a money belt for carrying valuables such as cash, air tickets, passports, and credit cards.  As with any travel, be discreet with your money and credit cards. We have not found Rwanda to be unsafe, but you could be a victim of theft if you are not paying attention.

While in Rwanda you will be responsible for:  personal items such as laundry, phone calls, emails, snacks, and all alcoholic beverages.

We are hopeful the unexpected will not happen when you travel with us.  If something does happen however, we want you to be fully protected.  We understand the importance of comprehensive international travel insurance protection for all our clients, and thus encourage you to book travel insurance. We recommend Faye (withfaye.com). Highly rated, you can check out the cost by entering some details. Other options are also available and you can view them at https://bit.ly/RwandaTravelInsurance.

Our past experience has affirmed it is helpful as well as a good business practice to support our clients in getting comprehensive international travel insurance. We have adopted this policy to eliminate risks & disruptions associated with travelers purchasing inadequate protection and exposing themselves, and other tour group members to unnecessary risks. 

Approximate Coverage Costs: Rwanda:  $15

Please note there is a surcharge for individuals 56 or older.

Air travel is a significant contributor to climate change and we proud to be working with Climeco.com to offset the climate impact of all our trips beginning August 1, 2025. Through this innovative partnership the emissions of every traveler will be offset. We have included in each program the fee to cover the cost of offsetting the emissions with renewable energy. 100% of this fee will be donated to Climeco.com.  One roundtrip flight from mainland USA across the pacific can produce more than 3.5 tons of carbon dioxide. By offsetting the carbon from your flight, you can travel more responsibly and happily. 

Climeco will take the contribution and use it to purchase renewable energy certificates (REC’s). With this support, Carbonfund.org, Itafari and you are helping to grow the market for renewable energy that will lead to even more zero carbon energy production. It’s just one more way we walk our talk when it comes to responsible travel.

Learn more about the work that Climeco is doing by visiting their website: www.climeco.com

We are hopeful the unexpected will not happen when you travel with us.  If something does happen however, we want you to be fully protected.  We understand the importance of comprehensive international travel insurance protection for all our clients, and thus encourage you to book travel insurance. We recommend Faye (withfaye.com). Highly rated, you can check out the cost by entering some details. Other options are also available and you can view them at https://bit.ly/RwandaTravelInsurance.

Our past experience has affirmed it is helpful as well as a good business practice to support our clients in getting comprehensive international travel insurance. We have adopted this policy to eliminate risks & disruptions associated with travelers purchasing inadequate protection and exposing themselves, and other tour group members to unnecessary risks. 

Approximate Coverage Costs: Rwanda:  $15

Please note there is a surcharge for individuals 56 or older.