Malaria in Rwanda: The Honest Health Guide
Rwanda does have malaria. But the risk level varies significantly by where you go and when — and for most visitors staying in Kigali or visiting national parks, the risk is manageable with straightforward precautions.
Malaria Risk by Area
- Kigali (1,600m elevation): Low risk. The altitude reduces mosquito breeding. Most urban visitors to Kigali do not contract malaria.
- Volcanoes National Park (2,000m+): Very low risk due to altitude. Gorilla trekking visitors have minimal malaria exposure.
- Akagera National Park (lower elevation, near Tanzania border): Moderate to higher risk. This is the flattest, warmest, most humid part of Rwanda — the classic malaria zone.
- Nyungwe Forest: Low-moderate risk. The dense rainforest has mosquitoes but the altitude reduces risk.
- Lake Kivu shores (Gisenyi, Kibuye): Moderate risk — lower altitude, near water.
Do You Need Malaria Tablets?
The standard advice from travel health professionals for a Rwanda trip that includes Akagera National Park or low-altitude lake areas: yes, take prophylaxis. Common options are Doxycycline (cheap, start 2 days before), Malarone (start 2 days before, fewer side effects), or Lariam/Mefloquine (start 2.5 weeks before).
If you are visiting Kigali only, or exclusively Volcanoes National Park, your doctor may advise tablet-free travel with insect repellent precautions instead. Always consult a travel health clinic or your GP at least 4 weeks before your trip.
Practical Precautions for Visitors
- Use DEET-based insect repellent (50% DEET for Rwanda) — especially at dusk and dawn
- Sleep under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned room — all reputable lodges provide nets
- Wear long sleeves and trousers at dusk, especially near Akagera and Lake Kivu
- If you develop fever within 3 months of returning from Rwanda, tell your doctor you visited a malaria-risk country
Malaria Treatment in Rwanda
Malaria treatment is available at clinics and pharmacies throughout Rwanda. King Faisal Hospital in Kigali is the recommended facility for international visitors requiring medical attention.
Is This a Reason to Not Visit Rwanda?
No. Rwanda receives hundreds of thousands of international visitors every year, the vast majority of whom return home perfectly healthy. With sensible precautions, Rwanda is very safe. Do not let malaria anxiety stop you from one of the world's most rewarding travel experiences.
Heading to Akagera or Lake Kivu? Your rental car takes you there — book with us and we include route guidance for every destination.
