High Commission of Rwanda in Pretoria, South Africa; address 983 Francis Baard St., 0028, Pretoria; phone +27123427106. Head of mission: Mr. Emmanuel…
Head of mission: Mr. Emmanuel Hategeka, High Commissioner (confirmed in the diplomatic list of Mauritius, 19 Nov 2024)
Also accredited to: Mauritius
Rwanda, known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills," offers rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, appealing to international tourists. Its renowned mountain gorillas and stunning landscapes enhance its attractiveness. While the tourism sector has demonstrated significant growth and resilience, challenges remain in maximizing its potential. Nonetheless, it presents a compelling destination for a segment of South Africa's 60 million residents.
Rwanda is generally considered safe for tourists, including those coming from South Africa. According to the Global Peace Index, Rwanda ranks 90th out of 160 countries, which is significantly safer than South Africa's ranking of 125th. In terms of crime statistics, Rwanda has a murder rate of 3.6 per 100,000 people, compared to South Africa's much higher rate of 41.9. This indicates a much lower level of violent crime in Rwanda. Furthermore, the Global Organized Crime Index shows that Rwanda scores better in various crime categories, with lower indices indicating less organized crime and trafficking compared to South Africa. For instance, Rwanda has a mafia group index of 1.0 (versus South Africa's 7.0) and a human smuggling index of 2.5 (compared to South Africa's 4.0). Overall, tourists from South Africa can feel relatively safe when visiting Rwanda, given the lower crime rates and better safety rankings.