Venue and Travel

EVENT DATES AND LOCATION

Let’s Talk Coffee® Rwanda will take place June 17-21, 2019. The setting will be the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and largest city. The Kigali Serena is a 5-star hotel located in the city center near the financial district and city hall. Apart from field trips to the coffeelands of Rwanda, all event activities will take place at the Kigali Serena. As a result, we recommend attendees book their lodging at the Kigali Serena—please see the lodging section below for more information.

TRAVEL DATES

Let’s Talk Coffee® attendees should fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL) on Sunday, June 16. Departure times vary depending on field trip participation:

  • Attending the Nyampinga field trip: Depart from Kigali International Airport (KGL) on June 20 at 10 p.m. or after. Because the trip will not return to Kigali on June 20 until early evening, most Nyampinga field trip attendees will find it convenient to stay another night at the hotel and depart June 21.
  • Attending the Fair Trade Koakaka field trip: Depart from Kigali International Airport (KGL) on June 21 at 10 p.m. or after. Because the trip will not return to Kigali on June 21 until early evening, most Koakaka field trip attendees will find it convenient to stay another night at the hotel and depart June 22.
  • Not attending a field trip: Depart from Kigali International Airport (KGL) on June 20.

Learn more about the schedule for the event on the program page.

LODGING INFORMATION

Lodging is not included in the price of registration. We recommend staying at the Kigali Serena Hotel, where Let’s Talk Coffee® attendees receive a special rate.

  • For Let’s Talk Coffee attendees, a single room with one bed is $180 USD per night. For a room with two beds, the price is $220 USD per night.
  • To book your room at the Kigali Serena with the Let’s Talk Coffee® special rate, email reservations@serena.co.rw and mention code LTC RWANDA

Your check-in and check-out dates for the event will be:

  • Check-in: June 16
  • Check-out dates vary depending on field trip participation:
    • Nyampinga field trip: Check-out the day your flight departs from Rwanda. See the Travel Dates section above for guidance on when to depart from Rwanda.
    • Fair Trade Koakaka field trip: Check-out the day your flight departs from Rwanda. See the Travel Dates section above for guidance on when to depart from Rwanda.
    • Not attending a field trip: Check-out June 20.

If availability at the Serena is limited or you wish to stay elsewhere, we also recommend the following Kigali hotels:

A TOP TOURIST DESTINATION

If you have the time, we encourage you to arrive earlier to or depart later from Rwanda to enjoy the tourist attractions the country has to offer. Here are a few suggestions:

TOP THINGS TO DO

  • Kigali Genocide Memorial: Free entry, though there is a charge for audio and guided tours
  • Akagera National Park: The park is located in the Eastern Province, a 2-hour drive from Kigali. With the recent re-introduction of black rhinos and lions, Rwanda is now home to the “big-five.”
  • If you are interested in an official city tour, GoKigali offers half-day and full Kigali city tours for $55 and $85 respectively.

FOOD & DRINK

Rwanda Travel Information

Voltage

Electrical sockets in Rwanda are in the European shape and supply power at between 220 and 240 volts. We recommend bringing an adapter.

Visa

Nationals of all countries can obtain a visa upon arrival without prior application. For most nationals, including United States citizens, the fee is $30 and can paid at the airport upon arrival or online prior to your departure. Click here to learn more.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

If you are traveling from a Yellow Fever endemic country, proof of vaccination will be required for entry to Rwanda. Click here for more information.

Currency

The currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan franc. Conversion rates vary, but the U.S. dollar is about 1 to 900 Rwandan francs. Most restaurants and hotels accept credit cards, and there are lots of places to exchange USD for Francs in Kigali.

 

Weather

Attendees should expect warm temperatures—the highs in Kigali during June are around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Time zone

Kigali is on GMT+2 time, which is nine hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time and six hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.