Driving in Rwanda: what visitors should know

Documents you need

• Visitors: carry your valid driving license from home, an International Driving Permit (IDP), and your passport. Get the IDP in your home country before you travel.
• Foreign residents: you can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months, then you need to convert it to a Rwandan license.
• Rules change, so confirm current requirements with Rwanda National Police or the Rwandan embassy in your country.

To rent on Vumvum you also verify your ID in the app before your first booking.

Rules of the road

• Rwanda drives on the right.
• Speed limits are low and camera enforced, often 40 km/h in towns and 60 to 80 km/h outside them. Fines arrive quickly, so watch the signs.
• Phones: hands free only while driving.
• Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda. Bring reusable bags for snacks and shopping.

Umuganda and car free days

Umuganda, the national community work day, takes place on the last Saturday of each month, roughly 7 to 11 am. Most services close and driving is restricted, so plan pickups, returns and long drives around it.

Kigali also has car free mornings, about 7 to 10 am on the first and third Sunday of the month, when some roads are closed to cars.

Driving to the national parks

Approximate drive times from Kigali on a good road without long stops:

• Volcanoes National Park: about 2.5 hours to Musanze (about 105 km). The Kinigi park HQ is about 15 km further. Gorilla trekking needs a permit from the Rwanda Development Board, booked in advance; check Visit Rwanda for the current price. Roads to the trailheads can be rough, so an SUV or high clearance car is recommended. Treks start early, so stay in Musanze the night before.
• Akagera National Park: about 2.5 hours (about 150 km) to the southern entrance. Self drive is allowed and a 4x4 or SUV is strongly advised, especially in the wet seasons. Park fees are per person; international visitors pay roughly USD 100 per day. Check the current African Parks price list. Optional guides can ride along for a fee.
• Lake Kivu at Rubavu (Gisenyi): about 2.25 hours (about 145 km).
• Nyungwe National Park: 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on where in the park you are going.

Rainy seasons

Rwanda's rainy seasons run roughly from March to May and from October to November. Unpaved park tracks get harder in the wet, so this is when an SUV or 4x4 matters most.

Choosing a rental car

• SUVs for Akagera and the Volcanoes trailheads. Not every SUV is four wheel drive, so ask the host if you need 4x4.
• 7 seaters for families and groups.
• Electric cars for city driving. Public charging in Kigali is limited, so check the range and charging setup with the host.
• Budget cars for getting around Kigali and the paved road to Rubavu.

On Vumvum, every rental is self drive and picked up at the host's location in Kigali (there is no delivery). Every rental is insured, hosts pass ID and background checks, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before pickup.