Rwandan airlines RwandAir is planning to launch the first non-stop flight from the United Kingdom to Rwanda, one of the emerging tourism destinations in Africa, on May 26, Gatwick Airport said in a release.
Operating three times a week from London Gatwick to the Rwandan capital Kigali, the service is scheduled with UK passengers in mind. The flights will be operated on a new Airbus A330-200, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The flight time is 8 hours 40 minutes, with return fares starting from £372.00. Passengers travelling on the new RwandAir service in Business Class will have the facility of fully-flat beds on overnight flights.
With the new service, British travellers can explore Rwanda’s incredible scenery and the rich ecosystems in its three national parks. Volcanoes National Park, along the Congo border, is known for its mountain gorillas as well as the endangered golden monkey. The Nyungwe forest in Southern Rwanda offers travellers rich biodiversity, with over 300 bird species, over 75 species of mammal and 12 primate species. Akagera in eastern Rwanda is home to all of Africa’s most famed game animals. With the arrival of the new black rhino, in addition to elephants, African buffalo, leopards and lions, Rwanda offers an exciting safari experience in Africa.
Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport Chief Commercial Officer, said: ‘This new service makes the adventure of a life time in the heart of Africa a real possibility for more people than ever before, be they spotting gorillas in the wild, game animals on safari or visiting the beautiful tea plantations.
‘Rwanda is the latest long haul destination Gatwick serves and we know proudly boast more than 50 long haul routes in total – a claim few other international airports can make. Only last week Gatwick became the world’s top low cost airport, a ranking helped by our growing low cost long haul services to North America and the Far East.’
Ms. Belise Kariza, the chief tourism officer at the Rwanda Development Board, commented: ‘Rwanda has seen a transformation in recent years and is now becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for premium travellers. With the new non-stop RwandAir flights to Kigali, and the opening of several premium lodges, Rwanda will be making a big impact as a must-visit country.’
Leading travel brand One&Only will launch a new lodge in Nyungwe this year, while Wilderness Safaris is planning to open Bisate Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, the airport said. Tour operators like Red Savannah, Expert Africa and Wild Frontiers are also offering personalised holidays and tours in the country, it added.
