🇷🇼 Flights to Rwanda
Cheap Flights to Rwanda from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Kigali, the City of a Thousand Hills. Dream Fare beats comparison sites with exclusive fares for gorilla trekking holidays and the UK Rwandan community.
Your Gateway to Rwanda
Flights to Kigali
Kigali International Airport is the gateway to one of Africa’s most progressive and extraordinary countries — the Land of a Thousand Hills.
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FROM £569Kigali
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
Rwanda’s immaculate capital and the gateway to mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. One of Africa’s safest, cleanest and most impressive cities. Direct flights from London with RwandAir in approximately 9 hours 30 minutes.
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Airlines
Airlines Flying to Rwanda from UK
We compare all airlines on the London to Kigali route to find you the best price.
Baggage Allowances to Rwanda
When to Fly
Best Time to Fly to Rwanda
Rwanda has a mild, temperate climate due to its high elevation. The dry seasons are ideal for gorilla trekking. Permits cost $1,500 USD per person and must be booked months in advance.
Long Dry Season
June — September
Best for gorilla trekking. Clear skies and dry trails in Volcanoes National Park. Book permits and flights 3 to 4 months ahead.
Short Dry Season
Dec — February
Good conditions for gorilla trekking. Popular for holiday travel. Fares are competitive outside of Christmas week.
Long Rains
March — May
Main wet season. Gorilla trekking still possible but trails are muddier and permits easier to obtain. Lowest fares of the year.
Short Rains
Oct — November
Brief wet period. Lower fares. Lush green scenery across Rwanda’s beautiful hills and national parks.
Rwanda Weather & Packing Guide
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Kigali & Central Rwanda
Rwanda’s high altitude (1,567m in Kigali) gives it a mild climate of 15°C to 27°C. Pack light layers and an umbrella for afternoon showers. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all areas of Rwanda.
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Volcanoes National Park
At 2,000 to 4,500 metres altitude, the park can be cold and wet even in the dry season. Pack warm waterproof layers, waterproof trousers and sturdy hiking boots for gorilla trekking through dense bamboo forest.
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Nyungwe Forest
A montane rainforest with misty conditions year-round. Warm waterproof layers are essential. The spectacular canopy walkway above the forest is best visited in the early morning before afternoon rain typically arrives.
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General Packing Tips
Rwanda uses Type C/J plugs — bring a universal adapter. Plastic bags are BANNED in Rwanda and strictly checked at the airport on arrival. Use fabric bags only. Rwanda is exceptionally clean — littering carries heavy fines.
Culture & Food
Rwandan Culture, Food & Traditions
Rwanda has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations in modern history. Today it is one of the continent’s safest, cleanest and fastest-growing economies — widely called the Singapore of Africa.
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Mountain Gorillas
Rwanda is the world’s premier destination for mountain gorilla trekking. Permits cost $1,500 USD per person per day. Spending one hour with a gorilla family in the misty volcanoes is simply one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences.
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Nyungwe Forest
One of Africa’s oldest and largest montane rainforests, home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and 13 primate species. The canopy walkway suspended above the forest canopy is spectacular and memorable.
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Rwandan Cuisine
Ugali (maize porridge), ibirayi (potatoes), isombe (cassava leaves stew), grilled tilapia from Lake Kivu and Rwandan coffee and tea are the staples. Kigali has a thriving restaurant and coffee shop scene.
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Akagera National Park
Rwanda’s savannah national park recently restocked with lions and black rhinos. Big Five game viewing with far fewer crowds than the major East Africa parks. A truly remarkable conservation success story.
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Lake Kivu
A spectacular great lake on the Congo border lined with volcanic beaches and hot springs. The lakeside towns of Gisenyi and Kibuye offer superb relaxation after gorilla trekking in the volcanoes.
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Rwanda Rising
Rwanda has world-class infrastructure, exceptional safety and ambitious sustainability targets. It has hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s great national success stories.
Top Attractions
Top Places to Visit in Rwanda
Rwanda packs extraordinary wildlife, history and natural beauty into a compact and easily navigable country.
Volcanoes National Park — Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda is the world’s premier mountain gorilla trekking destination. Permits cost $1,500 USD and must be booked well in advance. The experience of spending one hour with a gorilla family in the misty volcanoes is absolutely unforgettable.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
A profoundly important and moving memorial to the 1994 genocide in which approximately 800,000 people were killed in 100 days. An essential visit to understand Rwanda’s history and its extraordinary journey to reconciliation.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
One of Africa’s largest montane rainforests home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and 310 bird species. The canopy walkway suspended high above the forest floor is one of Rwanda’s most spectacular experiences.
Akagera National Park
Rwanda’s savannah national park recently restocked with lions and black rhinos making it a genuine Big Five destination. Far fewer crowds than Kenya or Tanzania. Boat safaris on Lake Ihema among hippos and crocodiles.
Lake Kivu
One of Africa’s great rift lakes on the Congo border. Beautiful volcanic beaches, kayaking, boat trips and excellent fish from the lake. The lakeside towns of Rubavu (Gisenyi) and Karongi (Kibuye) are the perfect base.
Kigali City
One of Africa’s most impressive capital cities — clean, safe, well-organised and increasingly cosmopolitan. Excellent restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and nightlife. The Inema Arts Centre is a hub of contemporary Rwandan creative culture.
Visa & Travel Tips
Rwanda Travel Guide
Everything you need to know before flying to Rwanda from the UK.
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Visa Requirements
UK citizens can enter Rwanda visa-free for up to 30 days. Complete an online arrival declaration at irembo.gov.rw before travel. Rwanda also participates in the East African Tourist Visa ($100 USD) covering Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda on one application.
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Currency & Money
Rwanda uses the Rwandan Franc (RWF). USD is widely accepted for gorilla permits, hotels and safaris. ATMs are available across Kigali and major towns. MTN MoMo is widely used. Inform your UK bank before travelling.
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Health & Vaccinations
Yellow fever required if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis recommended for all areas of Rwanda. Typhoid and hepatitis A also advised. Note: plastic bags are strictly banned — bags are checked at the airport on arrival.
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SIM Cards & Connectivity
MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda SIM cards available at Kigali Airport and across the country. Rwanda has outstanding 4G and 5G coverage in Kigali. One of Africa’s most advanced digital communications infrastructures.
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Getting Around
Moto taxis and Uber operate in Kigali. Rwanda’s road infrastructure is excellent by African standards. For gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, a private 4x4 vehicle arranged through a registered tour operator is required.
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Safety Tips
Rwanda is consistently ranked as one of Africa’s safest countries for tourists. Kigali is remarkably safe, clean and well-organised. Standard travel precautions apply. Always check the latest FCDO Rwanda travel advice before departure.
FAQs
Flights to Rwanda FAQ
How long is the flight from London to Kigali?
RwandAir operates a direct service from London Heathrow to Kigali International Airport in approximately 9 hours 30 minutes. Connecting options via Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha or Nairobi take between 11 and 14 hours.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
UK passport holders can enter Rwanda visa-free for up to 30 days. Complete an online arrival declaration at irembo.gov.rw before travel. Rwanda also offers the East African Tourist Visa ($100 USD) covering Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
How much do gorilla permits cost in Rwanda?
Mountain gorilla trekking permits for Volcanoes National Park cost $1,500 USD per person per day. They must be booked in advance through the Rwanda Development Board. Dream Fare can connect you with registered Rwanda tour operators.
What is the best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
June to September and December to February — the dry seasons — are generally the best times for gorilla trekking as trails are drier. However trekking is possible year-round and the gorillas are always present.
Is Rwanda safe to visit?
Yes. Rwanda is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Africa. Kigali is a remarkably clean, safe and well-organised capital city with excellent tourism infrastructure and very low crime rates.
Are plastic bags really banned in Rwanda?
Yes. Rwanda has a complete ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags. This is strictly enforced and bags are checked at Kigali Airport on arrival. Bring fabric bags instead. This is part of Rwanda’s outstanding environmental policies.
How much do flights from London to Rwanda cost?
Return flights from London to Kigali start from approximately £569 with Dream Fare. RwandAir direct flights are very competitively priced. Prices vary by season and booking lead time. Contact us for current fares and exclusive deals.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.