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City guide

Rwanda

Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savanna in the southeast.

Type CountryPopulation 14,000,000

Why go

  • Country in East Africa.
  • Served by Ruhengeri Airport (RHG).

History

Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savanna in the southeast. The largest and most notable lakes are mainly in the western and northern regions of the country, and several volcanoes that form part of the Virunga volcanic chain are primarily in the northwest. The climate is considered tropical highland, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. Its capital and largest city is Kigali, located at the centre of the country, at 1,567 metres above sea level. Rwanda lies a few degrees south of the Equator in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. With a population of about 14 million people living within a total area of 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), of which land accounts for about 93.7%, Rwanda is the 21st most densely populated country in the world, with an average of about 578 people per square kilometre.

Airports

Kigali International Airport (KGL) 16 km to the centre
Kigali, 01, RW — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (Rwandair Express, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air Canada, Air France…) · direct flights to 16 destinations incl. Entebbe, Bujumbura, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 16 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Goma International Airport (GOM) 93 km to the centre
Goma, NK, CD — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 1 airline (Baikotovitchestrian Airlines) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Beni, Bukavu/kavumu, Kisangani (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 3 direct destinations
  • Baikotovitchestrian Airlines BU (F50, A320) · 3 routes: Beni, Bukavu/kavumu, Kisangani

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Gisenyi Airport (GYI) 90 km to the centre
Gisenyi, 04, RW — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Kirundo Airport (KRE) 62 km to the centre
Kirundo, KI, BI — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Ruhengeri Airport (RHG) 69 km to the centre
Ruhengeri, 03, RW — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Butare Airport (BTQ) 72 km to the centre
Butare, 05, RW — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 8.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
traditional overshipping
Ferry route
Outdoor
tradtitional overshipping
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Ruhengeri Airport (RHG); 5 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: GOM has direct flights to 3 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Beni, Bukavu/kavumu, Kisangani). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km; routes include traditional overshipping, tradtitional overshipping.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Rwanda. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing
Sightseeing