Rides
Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked nation in East Africa. Nicknamed the “Land of a Thousand Hills” for its high elevation and rolling landscapes, it features mountains in the west and savanna in the southeast. The country’s largest and most famous lakes are mostly in the west and north, while the northwest is home to several volcanoes that are part of the Virunga range. With a tropical highland climate, Rwanda experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. Its capital and largest city, Kigali, sits in the center of the country at 1,567 meters above sea level.
Requirements
| Carnet de Passage | no requirements |
| Insurance | no requirements |
| International driving permit | require IDP 1968 |
| Travel Visa | no requirements, 90 days per calendar year |
Riding in Rwanda.
You need understandable documents.
The police can require the immediate presentation of all driving documents by the roadside, including license, logbook, and insurance, is common in most jurisdictions. If you cannot these documents in a language that the police can understand, there is a likelihood of having your bike impounded.
As a tip, it is to laminate all of your key documents or otherwise waterproof them. It is also highly recommended to scan all your original documents and email them to an easily accessible email address.
It is also worth printing off the Constat Amiable D’accident Automobile, which is used across numerous and other countries (the downloadable one on our website has English as well as French).
A full bike license is essential.
To ride in Rwanda, you need a full UK bike licence, which authorises you to ride in your home country. Therefore, if you have a restricted licence in the UK, you cannot ride an unrestricted bike in Rwanda.
Entry paperwork is required, thankfully no visa is needed.
There is no visa requirement to enter Rwanda for UK nationals, but you will have to fill in a simple entry form when you cross into Rwanda, as well as a similar form for your bike.
If you take your bike there, your taking your bike back.
Your bike will be registered entry into Tanzania and you must leave with your bike. customs officers are meticulous. If you leave the Kingdom you must have your vehicle entry papers stamped having the country. If you cross the border and intend to return, must go through the entire process again. This is to prevent vehicle smuggling.
Speed limits.
Highways 49mph (80 kph)
Towns 24mph (40 kph)
National parks 21mph (35 kph)
Please note, this page was correct when written in December 2025.