Carnet for Rwanda and Burundi?
 

Anyone have any experience of getting into Rwanda or Burundi, whilst driving an SA or GB reg'd vehicle, without a Carnet?

A bit of info...
 

I went through B and R earlier this year on a Canadian registered bike, so most of my info won't really help, but...

In Burundi they really had no clue about the Carnet. It was accepted, but I had to tell them how to fill it out, etc, etc. When leaving I actually had to argue to get it stamped out since they figured that once my passport was stamped that was good enough- I wasn't a transport truck or NGO, so what did they care?

Considering that, I think Burundi without a Carnet wouldn't be an issue.

I'm in Rwanda as we speak and have found the magic of the carnet invaluable at the border. I drive a ZA registered car.

BTW: No ATM's accept foreighn cards of any description and camping does not exsist. You get a better rate on $100 bills than anything else.

Prefered accomodation has been places ascociated with the Presbeterian Church. The offer clean rooms at cheap rates and are represented in all majr towns. Loneley Planet and Bradt guides reccomend places that has not exsisted in some years...

Thanks guys

Bundubasher,

My info is from 2005, so not particularly current, but at that time I was able to enter both Burundi and Rwanda on a south african plated motorcycle without a carnet. Both Rwanda and Burundi issued a TIP at the border, although there was some hassle involved in doing this.

Rwanda last year was our fastest and cheapest border crossing - no carnet required, although we did have one it wasn't used.

We were on SA plates, UKPP.

Our SA friends went to Burundi just after also without a carnet, they were issued a TIP instead.

Hey, I went to both last year on a UK bike, UK passport, UK carnet, and found them to be two of the easiest borders in Africa. Lovely people in both countries. Two of the coolest countries in Africa I thought.

The carnet isn't essential as far as I am aware in Rwanda,we certainly didn't get asked for it. Nobody seemed to know at the Burundi border, but the guys just filled it out as I asked. They didn't have a clue on entry or exit. I just did it to be safe.

In Rwanda camping is difficult, I agree. If it exists, it is expensive - With the exception of the 'Car Wash' Campsite in Kigali. Amazing place, run by a top Kenyan guy with A1 hosting instincts. It's not really a campsite, but they have a lot of space, top top top notch food, and they run a good bar there. I think our friends put it on 'Tracks for Africa.' Highly recommended. No charge either, they just hope you'll buy lots of food and drink I think!

If you are struggling for money, some of the big banks in Kigali will let you withdraw money on your card from behind the counter. Saves expensive Western Union kind of transactions.

Hope this is of some help.

Birdy

I've just answered a very old post haven't I.

Sorry. I shouldn't do crack while surfing the web.

Birdy