Can I bring my dog to Rwanda?
Yes — Rwanda welcomes pet dogs, provided the full import chain is completed before the flight. When the permit, vaccinations and health certificate are all in order and properly sequenced, there is no quarantineon arrival in Kigali. The risk isn’t that dogs are banned — it’s that a missing or mistimed document gets your dog held at the airport.
This page is the dog-specific summary. For the complete step-by-step walkthrough — every form, timing window and who to contact — read our full guide to importing a pet to Rwanda.
What your dog needs
To bring a dog into Rwanda, you’ll need each of these:
- RAB import permit — applied for through Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB) / MINAGRI before travel.
- Rabies vaccination — must be at least 30 days old, and under 12 months old, at the date of arrival.
- ISO 15-digit microchip— strongly recommended so your dog’s identity matches the vaccination and certificate records.
- International veterinary health certificate— endorsed by the origin country’s government veterinary authority and issued within 10 days of travel.
- IATA-compliant travel crate — correctly sized for your dog and meeting airline live-animal cargo rules.
The exact forms and timing are covered in the full import guide.
How long it takes
If your dog is already microchipped and has a current rabies vaccination, plan on roughly 4–6 weeks — mainly the time to secure the import permit and get the health certificate endorsed close to travel. From a cold start (no microchip, no rabies shot), allow 8–10 weeks, because the rabies vaccination has to be at least 30 days old before arrival.
Sequencing matters: each step depends on the one before it, so starting early — and in the right order — is what keeps a move smooth. See the timeline in the full guide.
Arriving at Kigali International Airport (KGL)
All pet imports enter Rwanda through Kigali International Airport (KGL). Veterinary officials should be notified in advance so your dog can be cleared on arrival, and the import permit plus endorsed health certificate are presented at the airport.
Royal Pets Center can manage the Kigali airport handover end-to-end — including airport pickup and door delivery — so your dog goes from cargo to your home without you navigating clearance yourself. We can also help you plan a visit once your dog has settled in.
What it costs
Cost depends on origin, your dog’s size and the airline. As a broad guide, a move from the EU or UK to Kigali commonly lands around USD 1,500–5,500 all-in — flights, crate, permits, vet work and handling — while moves within Africa are usually cheaper.
For a precise figure for your dog and route, request a relocation quote.
We handle it for you
Royal Pets Center runs the entire import chain for you — RAB import permit, vaccination and microchip checks, the endorsed health certificate, an IATA crate, cargo booking and the Kigali airport handover. You don’t have to learn the system; you hand us the move and we get your dog to Kigali.
See our pet relocation service or go straight to book pet relocation to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my dog to Rwanda?
Yes. Rwanda allows pet dogs to be imported as long as the import chain is completed before the flight: a valid RAB import permit, an up-to-date rabies vaccination, an international veterinary health certificate endorsed by the origin country's government vet authority, and an IATA-compliant crate. Done in the right order, there is no quarantine on arrival.Is there quarantine for dogs entering Rwanda?
No — there is no routine quarantine for dogs entering Rwanda when the paperwork is correct. Your dog needs a valid import permit, a rabies vaccination that is at least 30 days old (and under 12 months) at arrival, and an endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. If documents are missing or out of sequence, your dog can be held, so it pays to get every step right before flying.How long does it take to import a dog to Rwanda?
Typically 4–6 weeks if your dog is already microchipped and has a current rabies vaccination, since you mainly need the import permit and an endorsed health certificate close to travel. From a cold start — no microchip, no rabies shot — allow 8–10 weeks, because the rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days old before arrival and the steps have to be sequenced correctly.Which airport do dogs arrive at in Rwanda?
All pet imports enter Rwanda through Kigali International Airport (KGL). Veterinary officials should be notified in advance so they can clear your dog on arrival; you (or we, on your behalf) present the import permit and endorsed health certificate at the airport. Royal Pets Center can handle the Kigali airport handover, pickup and door delivery.How much does it cost to fly a dog to Rwanda?
It depends heavily on origin, your dog's size and the airline. As a broad guide, relocating a dog from Europe or the UK to Kigali commonly runs around USD 1,500–5,500 all-in (flights, crate, permits, vet work and handling), while moves within Africa are usually cheaper. For a precise figure for your dog and route, ask us for a relocation quote.