Guide to Airports in Rwanda

Rwanda Airports Guide: Of the eight airports identified by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, only two are routinely accessible to the public for commercial flights. Kamembe International Airport (KME) and Kigali International Airport (KGL) serve as Rwanda’s primary gateways for international travelers, with KME being the principal entrance point. The majority of travelers will utilize the Kigali airport just for arrivals and departures. For anyone seeking to visit points of interest in the country’s far west, who are constrained by time and possess a sufficient budget to warrant a reduction in travel duration, Kamembe serves as a practical domestic alternative. Both airports have recently been renovated and are well-maintained.

Kigali International Airport

Location: Periphery of Kigali, the capital of the nation.
Optimal choice if: You are traveling internationally or reserving a domestic flight to Kamembe International Airport.

Refrain If you want to enter Rwanda via one of its 16 land borders during an overland expedition through East Africa.
Volcanoes National Park is located 73 miles distant and can be accessed in under three hours by automobile. The optimal method to reach this renowned gorilla-trekking destination is by utilizing a private rental vehicle (most tourists want to include a driver) or through a pre-arranged transfer with your tour operator.

Kigali International Airport is located around 7 miles from the city center, on the eastern periphery of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. Typically, the journey between the two locations requires approximately 30 minutes via airport cab or rental car.

The airport has a lengthy history of strife; it initially functioned as a key base during the Rwandan Civil War and subsequently, in April 1994, became the location of the downing of President Habyarimana’s aircraft, which marked the commencement of the Rwandan Genocide. Since that time, it has experienced renovations exceeding $30 million and has established a reputation for cleanliness and safety. Kigali International Airport has consistently been ranked among the premier airports in Africa.

The airport comprises three terminals, three runways, and offers non-stop flights to 31 destinations across 21 countries, functioning as the primary gateway for international tourists and the sole airport providing regularly scheduled international flights. Numerous flights are operated by Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, which additionally provides consistent service to Kamembe, the sole domestic airport in the country. Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, and KLM are notable carriers that operate flights to and from Kigali. The latter provides the 8-hour, 15-minute journey to Amsterdam as its longest trip originating from Kigali. Currently, no direct flights are available between Kigali and the USA.

Kigali International Airport, albeit modest in size by global standards, offers the bulk of services that travelers may need. These amenities include a post office, two Bourbon Coffee establishments, an ATM, a foreign exchange bureau, complimentary Wi-Fi, and retail outlets offering duty-free items, souvenirs, and electronics, such as Rwandan SIM cards. Three private lounges exist—two in the departures area and one in arrivals—where bags can be plastic-wrapped for enhanced security. These facilities are generally restricted to business and first-class customers of select airlines or to VIP cardholders.

Kamembe International Airport

Location: The Western Province, immediately north of Cyangugu.

Optimal Choice If you like to reduce the distance between Kigali and western locales such as Nyungwe Forest National Park and Lake Kivu.

Avoid if: You wish to travel to destinations beyond select East and Central African nations.
Volcanoes National Park is located 161 miles distant and can be accessed in around six hours by automobile. It is unwise to utilize public transit for travel there; rather, a private transfer or rental automobile are the optimal choices.

The capital of Rusizi District, Cyangugu, is situated around three miles north of Kamembe International Airport in Rwanda’s Western Province. It is the sole domestic airport in the country and serves as a handy departure point for excursions to western tourist attractions such as the adjacent Lake Kivu and the hub of chimpanzee trekking, Nyungwe Forest National Park. For example, flying into Kamembe decreases the travel time to Nyungwe from Kigali from nearly five hours to less than 1.5 hours.

The airport comprises a single terminal and runway, both of which are well-maintained due to upgrades completed in 2014. RwandAir is the sole airline offering regular service to and from Kamembe, with seven weekly flights to Kigali. Charter flights from neighboring countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are permitted to land at the airport. Consequently, affluent visitors and business professionals frequent it.