Country Information

Capital: Kigali

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 250
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All travellers should consult the foreign office in their country of residence regarding emergency assistance.

Tourist information: Office Rwandais du tourisme et des parcs nationaux (ORTPN), BP 905, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: 76514 Fax: 76512

Passport information: Valid passports required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: A passport and evidence of yellow fever immunization are required. Visa generally required except for American citizens entering Rwanda for less than 90 days and citizens of Burundi, DRC, Uganda and Tanzania; Those requiring a visa must obtain these in advance of travelling.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers arriving over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Rabies. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling. There are periodic outbreaks of meningitis.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Rwandese Franc (RwFr) = 100 centimes NOTE: Import and Export of local currency is limited to RwFr5000.

There is limited acceptance of MasterCard. Travellers cheques have limited acceptance. French francs are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Due to recent civil unrest, the economy has been decimated

Languages: Kinyarwanda and French. Kiswahili is also spoken

Weather: Rwanda is cool due to its high latitude, but warmer in the lowlands. Mid Jan – Apr and mid Oct – Dec are the raining seasons.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50Hz. There is no electricity supply at present but some hotels have their own generators.

Post: Approximately 2 weeks.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal flights are operated by the national airline to the main towns. ROADS: Most roads are unsealed and in bad condition. BUS: Services operate and a timetable is available. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required.

Special information: Most of this ‘beautiful country of a thousand hills’ is now trouble free but visitors should take particular care on the eastern borders with DRC because of the conflict across the border. Elsewhere visitors should take the normal safety precautions with regard to money and street safety. Normal social courtesies apply. Travel after dark is not recommended because of the state of the roads. The traditional way of life is based on agriculture and cattle.

Capital: Wellington

Time zone: GMT + 12 ( GMT + 13 from the last week in March to the first week in Oct.)

Telephone services: Country Code: 64
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 111

Tourist information: New Zealand High Commission, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4TQ Tel: (0839) 200 288 (recorded information).

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required (except for nationals of Australia). Regulations may be subject to short term change. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of EU countries for visits of up to 3 months (Portuguese nationals must have the right of residence in Portugal and French nationals must be residing in France. Nationals of Brunei, Canada, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland Thailand Tuvalu and the USA (except for US Samoans who do need a visa) for visits of up to 3 months. French citizens residing in Tahiti or New Caledonia for visits of up to 30 days. Nationals of the UK and other British Passport holders for visits of up to 6 months providing they have proof of the right of abode.

Health information: No innoculations are compulsary, but please seek medical advice prior to travel.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents. All major credit cards accepted. Travellers cheques in any international currencies, are widely accepted.
ATM availability: Over 1500 locations.

Cost of living: It is possible to travel relatively cheaply in New Zealand.

Languages: English and Maori.

Weather: Subtropical in the North island, temperate in the South Island. The North has no extremes of heat or cold, but winter can be quite cool in the South with snow in the mountains. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year.

Electricity: 230 Volts AC 50 Hz. Most hotels provide 110 volt sockets AC for electric razors.

Post: 4 – 5 days to Western Europe, slightly less to the USA.

Transport: FLIGHTS: The national airline operates flights between the main airports. RAIL: Reliable but limited. TRAVEL PASSES: allow unlimited travel on New Zealand Railways’ train, coach and ferry services. ROAD: COACH: Modern coaches operate scheduled services throughout the country. It is advisable to make reservations for seats. – Contact the tourism board for details. BUS: Regional bus services serve most parts of the country. TAXI: Metered taxis operate throughout the country. CAR HIRE: Major international and local firms have agencies at airports and most major cities. Minimum age for driving a rental car is 21 years.

Special information: Should a visitor be invited to a Maori occasion the pressing of noses is common.

Capital: Muscat

Time zone: GMT + 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 968
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999

Tourist information: Directorate General of Tourism, PO Box 550, 113 Muscat, Oman Tel: 774 253 Fax: 794 238

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Tourist and Business visas are required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Cases have been reported – take advice from your medical advisors
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: Omani Rail (OR) = 100 baiza. All major credit cards are accepted although a commission charge may be made for their use. TC: Easily exchanged.
All major cards are accepted, although a commission may be added to charges when using a card. Travellers cheques in US dollars or pound Sterling are easily exchanged.
ATM availability: 50 locations.

Cost of living: It is impossible to travel on a tight budget. There are few middle range hotels and restaurants. There is a large contrast between budget and the remaining hotels.

Languages: Arabic and English.

Weather: June – July are very hot. Rainfall varies according to the region.

Electricity: 220/240 volts Ac, 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 2 weeks to Western Europe.

Transport: BUS: Services exist in Muscat and North Oman. TAXI: Prices are high and should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: Those who have a tourist visa can use their driving licence for up to 7 days. After 7 days a local licence is required and is available from the police station. Off-road driving conditions can be hazardous and road rescue very expensive.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should exercise extreme
caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel depite this advice you should be aware that Oman has only been open to the outside world for a short period therefore visitors should be sensitive to this. PHOTOGRAPHY: Signs will indicate areas where photography is prohibited. Collecting seashells; abalones corals, crayfish and turtle eggs is also forbidden. Avoid wearing shorts and tight fitting clothes.

Capital: Panama City

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 507
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 104, Fire – 103, Ambulance – 225 1436 / 228 2187.

Tourist information: Instituto Panameño de Turismo (IPAT), Apartado, 4421, Centro de Convenciones ATLAPA, Via Israel, Panamá 5, Republic of Panama Tel: 226 3167 or 226 4614 or 226 7000 Fax: 226 3483.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Regulations are expected to change at short notice. Contact the consular authority before finalising travel arrangements. Panamanian immigration procedures are rigidly enforced and non-compliance will result in transportation at the visitors expense to their country of origin

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended (for Typhoid).
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety throughout the year in certain areas. The Falciparum variety is also present in certain areas and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is strongly recommended for travellers planning to travel outside the urban areas. A vaccination certificate is recommended for those planning to visit the province of Darien.
Other Health Risks: Rabies. Dengue Fever.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Balboa (Ba) = 100 centesimos Exchange: Banks and Gambios All major credit cards are accepted. Only US dollar travellers cheques are accepted.
ATM availability: Over 150 locations

Cost of living: Caters for all travellers and budgets.

Languages: Spanish. English is also spoken.

Weather: Hot all year with rains from May – Sept especially on the Pacific coast

Electricity: 120 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are flat 2 pin American type

Post: 5 – 10 days

Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal air services are operated by local companies which Panama City with all centres in the Interior. ROAD: BUS: Services between most large towns although they are very slow. TAXI: Fares are often not metered so agree fare in advance. CAR HIRE: Available in city centres and airports. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence will be sufficient

Special information: Crime is rife in areas of the city. In the San Felipe district most of the cheap accommodation can be found, but it is not safe to venture out at night in this area. Colon is renowned for danger. Common sense precautions should be taken, deposit valuables in the hotel safe. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against travelling to, or transiting in the Darien as there are risks of violence and kidnapping.

Capital: Lima

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 51
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 011 / 5114.

Tourist information: Fondo de Promoción Turística (PROMPERU) Calle Uno Oeste, s/n Urb, Edificio Mitinci, 14th Floor, Corpac, Lima 27, Peru Tel: (1) 224 3142 or 224 3133 Fax: (1) 224 3408 or 224 3396. e-mail postmaster@promperu.gob.peru

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Refer to the embassy for the latest list of exceptions to those nationalities, which require visas.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in rural areas below 1500m in the Vivax variety. The Falciparum variety exists sporadically near national borders and where petroleum is being exploited. Resistance to chloroquine for the Falciparum variety has been reported.

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by visitors over 6 months of age travelling from infected areas. Vaccination is strongly recommended to all travellers who plan to journey out of the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. – NOTE: Street vendor food is not recommended

Currency: Nuevo Sol = 100 centimos Exchange: Changing currency other than US$ can be difficult Credit cards have limited acceptance outside Lima. Exchanging travellers cheques can prove a complex process outside of Lima. US dollar cheques are recommended
ATM availability: Over 430 locations

Cost of living: Costs have increased dramatically in the last few years. Budget travellers can still find cheap accommodation, although the cities are much more expensive than rural areas.

Languages: Spanish and Quechua. English may also be spoken

Weather: Coastal areas: Summer is Oct – Apr which is the rainy season in the mountainous regions. May Sept is regarded as the best time to visit the mountains.

Electricity: 200 Volts AC 60 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima.

Transport: RAIL: Can provide a scenic view of the landscape and sections are of the highest railway in the world. Connections however are limited. ROAD: A recently built highway connects Lima with other cities. NOTE: Landslides are common in the rainy season making for slow travel. A ‘Customs Duty Payment’ badge must be displayed at all times. BUS: ‘Greyhound’ type buses operate along the Pan-American highway TAXIS: Do not use meters so agree fare in advance. CAR HIRE: International companies have outlets in the major cities and Airport. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required

Special information: Register with your Embassy when you arrive in Lima. Terrorist action may occur. Travel in groups is recommended. Street crime is common.

Capital: Port Moresby

Time zone: GMT + 10

Telephone services: Country Code: 675
Outgoing Code: 05

Emergency telephone numbers: Police, Fire and Ambulance = 000. (NOTE: this is not accessible in some areas)

Tourist information: Tourism Promotion Authority, P.O.Box 1291, 2nd floor, Niugini Insurance Haus, Boroko, Papua New Guinea Tel: 320 0211 or 327 2521 Fax: 320 0223 or 325 9119.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Passports should be valid for one year after entry. Return Ticket Required. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required. May change at short notice contact the High Commission. NOTE: On receipt of a stamped addressed envelope the high commission can supply information sheets on how to apply for visas for Papua New Guinea.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists all year throughout the country below 1800m. Falciparum is the dominant variety and reported to b highly resistant to chloroquine
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera – serious risk. Hepatitis A and B are endemic.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Kina (PGK). NOTE: Export of local currency is prohibited.
Amex is widely accepted. Travellers cheques are widely accepted in shops and hotels. Australian dollar cheques are preferred.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Although accommodation varies from international hotels to basic huts, everything is very expensive

Languages: English. 700 local dialects are also spoken

Weather: Tropical climate which cools with increases in altitude. Most rain falls between Dec and Mar.

Electricity: 240 Volts AC 50 Hz. Australian style 3 pin plugs are in use

Post: 7 – 10 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Services which operate are expensive. Internal services should be booked between November and February. ROAD: Limited. Public motor vehicles (PMV) are very efficient and provide a good way of meeting the locals. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is sufficient. RIVERS: Commonly used as a thoroughfare.

Special information: Law and order remains poor. Incidents of rioting, looting and shooting occur without warning in major towns. Increase in violent crime requires extra care to be taken. There is continuing volcanic activity near Rabual in East New Britain Province and on Manam Island in Madang Province. Do not use public transport. Travellers should be met at Port Moresby upon arrival.