Rwanda flights – options for flights to Rwanda from Europe or USA

Flights to Rwanda

International flight routes to Rwanda

Most of our travellers book their flights to Rwanda with us. If you would rather arrange your own flights, or plan to book with air-miles, then feel free to do so. If you arrange your flights to Rwanda, we will gladly make the ground arrangements for you.

Starting from London

The easiest way to reach Rwanda from the UK is flying with, RwandAir who have a direct flight from London Gatwick to Kigali - though the flight does stop down in Brussels, you do not need to disembark. This flight currently flies three days per week, though the airline plans to add more routes.

Alternatively it is possible to fly from London Heathrow to Nairobi, in Kenya, and then connect through to Kigali, in Rwanda. Kenya Airways has an overnight flight to Nairobi which departs London Heathrow every evening, arriving in Nairobi typically around 06:30 in the morning. This then connects directly to an onward Kenya Airways flight to Kigali generally arriving there at about 10:30. It is also possible to fly with British Airways which arrives in Nairobi at about 21:00. We can organise for a stay at an economical airport hotel and then onwards travel the following morning to Kigali.

Alternatively, if you're coming from a safari holiday in Namibia or Botswana, you can fly from Jo'burg to Nairobi with South African Airways, and then connect through to Kigali with Kenya Airways – after an overnight stop in Nairobi. Rwandair have direct flights from Lusaka in Zambia, and Harare in Zimbabwe, through to Kigali.

On arrival at the airport in Kigali, you'll be met by your guide, who will stay with you for the whole duration of your trip. From Kigali, all of our lodges are reached by road transport, including those in Volcanoes National Park, on the shore of Lake Kivu, and in Nyungwe Forest.

Starting from the USA

Starting from the United States of America, you have two main options for travelling to Rwanda:

1) You arrange your return flights USA -> London and London -> USA.
Expert Africa arranges for you the London -> Rwanda and Rwanda -> London flights and transfers.

We can also utilise low add-on rates for internal flights within the African continent, linked to your international flight ticket. However, make sure you have enough time to connect to your flight to Africa in London.

2) You organise your flights USA -> Rwanda and Rwanda -> USA, e.g. via London, and tell us about your flight times and carriers.
Expert Africa arranges your travels in Rwanda for you, including any road transfers.

This makes sense if you are flying direct from the USA – for example on the service linking Atlanta and Jo'burg. If you choose to arrange your own intercontinental flights via South Africa, then it's best if you also book any connecting flights at the same time, using the same people who organise your intercontinental flight for you (eg: links between Johannesburg and Nairobi, or between Nairobi and Kigali).

This way you minimise the risk of one flight being cancelled or delayed, and you being left with two non-connecting flights.

RwandAir have plans for a direct New York to Kigali flight in 2019.

Flights to the rest of Africa

For more information on flights, please see our webpage on International flights to Africa.
Click on the links below to read specific information about flights to each of our other African destinations:

► Flights to Botswana
► Flights to Malawi
► Flights to Mozambique
► Flights to Namibia
► Flights to Seychelles
► Flights to South Africa
► Flights to Tanzania
► Flights to Zambia
► Flights to Zanzibar
► Flights to Zimbabwe

Our top picks for holidays to Rwanda

We'll always tailor-make your Safari for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.

Golden Monkey Safari

12 days • 5 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Combine four key areas of Rwanda on this excellent-value trip, for a true wildlife and cultural experience. The perfect itinerary for those who want to see all the highlights of Rwanda.

US$10,190 - US$12,170 per person

Mona Monkey Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

This example of a luxury holiday explores the wildlife of Nyungwe Forest, the scenic shores of Lake Kivu and the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, all accompanied by a private guide and vehicle.

US$12,770 - US$19,000 per person

L'Hoest's Monkey Safari

7 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Meet three iconic primates – gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys – and explore Rwanda's fascinating culture on this excellent value privately guided adventure.

US$5,850 - US$6,830 per person

Gorillas and Serengeti Safari

11 days • 4 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Combine three iconic experiences – mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and the Serengeti plains and awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

US$13,350 - US$15,540 per person

Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

This trip combines two of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife experiences – Rwanda's mountain gorillas and Kenya's Maasai Mara.

US$10,840 - US$13,500 per person

Mountain Gorilla Safari

5 days • 2 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Staying in great-value lodges, with a private driver-guide and 4WD, this adventure includes two treks to get up close with groups of mountain gorillas.

US$5,830 - US$6,120 per person

Gorillas and Migration Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

This luxury safari combines two iconic wildlife experiences: trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, then flying to the northern Serengeti in search of the wildebeest migration and spectacular river crossings.

US$17,930 - US$25,280 per person

The Highlights of Africa

17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.

US$15,270 - US$19,670 per person

Silverback Gorilla Safari

4 days • 1 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Fly into Rwanda and you can be trekking to meet a family of mountain gorillas the next morning. An itinerary like this could easily be combined with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.

US$10,680 - US$14,080 per person

View all holidays in Rwanda

Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?

Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure

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