Rwandair’s launched direct flights between Kigali and London, England, shortening the flight time for travelers between the two cities as the airline seeks to expand its service portfolio. The new direct flight replaces the existing service between London and Kigali, launched in 2017.
The inaugural flight leaves Kigali, Sunday afternoon and lands in London, Monday morning. There would be four direct flights weekly from Kigali to London – Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with return flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Depart from Rwanda at 23:35. Arrival time at Heathrow/London will be at 06:20 in the morning.
The return flight leaves London at 20:30 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday then arrives at Kigali at 07:00 the next morning. This is an amazing opportunity for visitors with plans to tour Rwanda or in need to experience Rwandair’s state-of-the-art A330. This is ideal, especially for the business or economy class.
The non-stop flights are of great advantage, especially for gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park or those with plans to go game viewing in Akagera National Park. Besides, there are other touristic destinations in Rwanda for nature lovers to explore including Gishwati – Mukura National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking or primate encounters.
This is also convenient for customers who may prefer connecting to other destinations in Africa via Kigali such as Uganda which is also a renowned gorilla safari destination or travelers on a trip to the Middle East, and Asia.
The United Kingdom is an incredibly important market and customers will value the shorter flight times and increased connections that will be offered by the new service.
Rwandair’s is ranked among the best ten African airlines. It currently serves 28 routes across East, Central, and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, from Kigali International airport, its hub hence making tourism in Rwanda a first-class activity. It has 12 aircraft with an average age of below 6 years.
Therefore, and more of vital with this move the gorilla trek is a highlight of all visits done in Rwanda and certainly mountain gorillas are the major reason as to why very many people visit this destination.
More so with this convenience so many African safaris starts in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda and ends with Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda there by avoiding the long routes from Entebbe to Bwindi. Immediately after gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you will cross to Kisoro then Bwindi and thereafter back to Kigali for your flight. This will save your time and the costs will also reduce since it is shorter to join Bwindi from Kigali.
Gorilla trekking can be conducted all year around in Uganda and Rwanda. The best time to go gorilla trekking is during the months of June, July, August, September and December. This is because there is less rain and the parks are drier, making it simple to hike and see the gorillas.
A Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $ 700 and 75% of the money raised is to conserve the gorilla surviving population. The government pockets 15% while 10% is meant for the local communities around the parks. As you purchase the permit, note that the cost includes park entrance fees, gorilla watching for an hour, advance trackers and ranger fees. Rwanda gorilla permits cost $ 1500.
The permit offers you one hour with the mountain gorillas in a group of 8 people. In case you are threatened by the price look at it in this point of view that you are contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas and as a form of thank you, you will be rewarded with an hour in the midst observing and enjoying their company.
On the day of your trek, expect to leave your comfortable bed early enough, am move to the briefing point by 7:30am. After briefing, tourists will be allocated different tracking routes, each 8 tourists. Head to the forest accompanied by guides and rangers as you begin you search for gorillas.
Once you see the gorillas, it’s okay to take photos with your camera or iPhone but avoid flash or else the gorillas might charge. You will spend between 40 minutes and 1 hour in company of these gentle giants. It will be such a life changing experience.
For you to enjoy the trek, look for good quality walking boots if trying any hikes or even climbs, warm layers of cloth for the cold evenings and clothing for wet weather remember it becomes cold and wet at this high altitude. A light weight jacket is a must. Gloves, long sleeved shirts, trousers, Knee high hiking gaiters are important. You need to find the best hiking boots for gorilla trekking.
