Car hire Rwanda - Safety and Security

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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: In July 1999, the Government of Rwanda reopened the Parc National des Volcans. The Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) provide security in the park against attacks by rebel groups operating from the DRC. The RDF also provide military escorts for visitors viewing the mountain gorillas. Visitors are not permitted to visit the park without permission from Rwanda’s Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN), and they are strongly advised against visits to the park apart from organized gorilla tours. The ORTPN has begun programs of nature walks, and military escorts also accompany these tours. Visitors are strongly advised to leave the park by 6:00 p.m. Due to possible insurgent activity in the area, visitors should exercise extreme caution while in the park and follow ORTPN and military escorts’ instructions closely.

In the past few years, insurgent activity has been reported in southwestern Rwanda in the Nyungwe Forest. The U.S. Embassy strongly urges American citizens to avoid travel through the Nyungwe Forest on the Butare-Cyangugu Road during the hours of twilight and darkness. The Embassy advises against visiting the Nyungwe Forest until insurgent activity has ended.

Visitors are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office or Consular Section for the latest security information, including developments in northwest and southwest Rwanda. (Please see the section below on Registration/Embassy Location.)