Kigali International Airport is Rwanda’s single, compact gateway, and thanks to the country’s small size, very often the only airport a visitor needs for an entire gorilla trekking safari.
Where it is
The airport sits in Kanombe, about 5km east of central Kigali; one of the shortest, easiest airport-to-city transfers in East Africa, typically 15 to 20 minutes. From Kigali, Volcanoes National Park and the gorilla trekking headquarters at Kinigi are a further 2 to 2.5 hours by road.
Terminal and what to expect
A single two-storey main terminal handles everything from small aircraft up to wide-body jets, alongside a separate VIP terminal and a cargo facility. RwandAir, the national carrier, is headquartered here and treats Kigali as its hub. The airport was originally built for around 400,000 passengers a year but now handles well over a million, which is why Bugesera International Airport (a larger new facility near Kigali, backed in part by Qatar Airways) is under construction to eventually take over as Rwanda’s main gateway.
Entry requirements
Rwanda offers visa-on-arrival to all nationalities with no advance application needed, alongside an e-visa option and the shared East Africa Tourist Visa if your safari also includes Kenya and/or Uganda. This makes Rwanda one of the most straightforward entry points in the region: see our Visa & Entry Requirements page for current details.
Getting onward to your safari
Rwanda’s compact size means most gorilla trekking itineraries run entirely by road from Kigali, with no domestic flight required: see our Airstrips in Rwanda guide for the handful of charter options that do exist, and our National Parks of Rwanda page for how Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera fit into one itinerary.
A short transfer into a tidy capital
Kigali International Airport sits in Kanombe, east of the city, and the drive to central hotels takes about 15 to 25 minutes. That is the shortest city transfer of any gateway in this region, which makes Kigali easy for tired travellers. Roads are well maintained, drivers are disciplined and the city is known for being clean and safe to walk in daylight. Rwanda also bans single use plastic bags, so do not be surprised if officers ask about them at the airport, and avoid packing any in your luggage.
Visa on arrival, plus what officers check
Rwanda offers a visa on arrival to all nationalities, so no advance application is needed, though many travellers apply online first to save time in the queue. Have your passport, return ticket and hotel details ready. Gorilla permits are not issued at the airport, so the permit must already be confirmed by us before you land. If you are crossing from Uganda or Kenya on the East Africa Tourist Visa, keep a copy of the multiple entry stamp. See our visa and entry guide for the rules by nationality.
Road times from Kigali to the parks
The roads radiate out in all directions. Volcanoes National Park, for gorillas and golden monkeys, is about two to three hours north. Akagera, for savannah wildlife, is about two to three hours east. Lake Kivu is about three to four hours west, and Nyungwe Forest is five to six hours south west by road. Because distances are short, a Rwanda safari rarely needs a domestic flight. See National Parks of Rwanda and Airstrips in Rwanda for the full picture.
Using the layover well
With so little transfer time, Kigali is a good place for a half day before or after the trek. The Genocide Memorial is a serious and moving visit, and many travellers choose to go on arrival, when their schedule is free. Craft markets, coffee tastings and galleries fill the rest of the day. Coffee is one of the country's main exports, so a cupping session is a fun and short activity. Dress modestly at the memorial, and keep the visit unhurried.
Flights in and out of Kigali
Kigali is the hub of the national carrier, RwandAir, with links to Entebbe, Nairobi and other African cities, and direct or one stop services to Europe and the Gulf. A new airport at Bugesera, south of the city, is being built to take over international traffic, so confirm which airport your ticket uses before you travel. Combining Kigali with Uganda is popular, flying into one country and leaving from the other. Our combined safaris show how to link the two.
Money, language and connectivity
Rwanda's currency is the franc, and cards are accepted in most Kigali hotels and restaurants, though cash is needed in markets and rural areas. Cash machines are inside the terminal and across the city. English, French and Kinyarwanda are all spoken, and signs are clear. SIM cards can be registered at the airport with your passport, and the mobile network is among the best in the region, which makes it easy to share photos from the trek.
Cleanliness, rules and etiquette
Kigali has a monthly community work day, called umuganda, held on the last Saturday of each month, when shops close in the morning and traffic is light. Plan transfers around it. The city also has rules on motorbike helmets, smoking in public places and drone use, all enforced strictly. Visitors are welcomed warmly, but photographing soldiers or government buildings is not allowed. A respectful approach goes a long way.
Staying a night before you trek
Because the trek starts early at Kinigi, a night in Kigali on arrival is rarely enough on its own. We usually move you north the afternoon before, to a lodge in Musanze or a lodge on the edge of the park, so the briefing at dawn is relaxed. Children, older travellers and anyone feeling the altitude benefit from the extra rest. Kigali sits at about 1,500 metres and Musanze is higher, so drink plenty of water and take it slowly on your first day.
Plan your arrival into Kigali International Airport (KGL): Rwanda's Safari Gateway
Tell us your flight details and where your safari starts, and we’ll make sure your arrival connects smoothly into the rest of your itinerary. Talk to us, or browse our safari packages to see how it all fits together.
