About Kigali International Airport
Table of Contents
Kigali International Airport, formerly known as Grégoire Kayibanda International Airport, is found in Kigali city, Rwanda’s capital city. It is the main airport in the country. Kigali (here is how to pronounce Kigali in Kinyarwanda: [ci. ɡɑ. ɾi]) is the capital city of Rwanda and is found at Kigali province at the center of the country. It boasts numerous scenery sites, museums, and other attraction sites. Kigali is the cleanest city in Africa. It is placed at an altitude of 5,141 ft above sea level. It has been at the center of the country’s growth in many dimensions. Kigali was founded in 1907 and upon attainment of independence in 1962 from Belgium, Kigali was chosen to be the republic’s capital due to its location. Kigali’s time zone is UTC +2 .
Kigali international airport is located at the outlying communities of Kanombe, at the eastern side of the town, which is about 5 kilometers east from the CBD by road. Kigali International airport is operated by Rwanda Airport Authority and it’s the hub for RwandAir. It has runways of a total distance of 3500 m which can be used by all types of aircraft and paved surfaces.
By 2017, Kigali International Airport had accommodated around 800 000 passengers, both local and international travelers. This guide is part of AirportLLC’s airport guides in Sub-Saharan Africa including Khartoum Airport, JKIA, Lagos Airport, and Eldoret Airport, among others.
Kigali International Airport terminals
Kigali International Airport has three terminals. The terminal in use currently was built to substitute the older one, which is currently being used as the VIP terminal. The extra one is being used for cargo planes. Their well preparedness in terms of fire emergency control makes them rank 7th best airport in the preparedness of fire outbreaks.
Kigali International Airport services and facilities
| Service | Details |
| Financial institutions | There are many banks within the vicinity of Kigali Airport. They include Kigali bank, MTN Mobile money and airtime, and Unguka bank. They offer several services such as currency exchange, standing orders, insurances, investments among other services |
| Health institutions | Kigali has several health institutions which offer physical and nutritional therapy, pharmaceutical centers, among others. Kigali dermatology center offers excellent skin cares for example Kigali Dermatology Center. Kigali eye clinic also provide good optical and eye care to the locals and foreigners. |
| Religious worship places | According to the 2012 census, 92.8% of the population in Kigali are Christians while Muslims are at 2%. The rest are others and no religion. Therefore, you expect to have more churches. The Kigali English church is the majority. 43% of the population are Catholics while Protestantism stand at 38% Seventh day Adventist stand at 12% |
| Gorilla trekking | Kigali gorilla trekking is an activity done under close supervision from qualified personnel to ensure that you enjoy the experience and get to interact with the rather-wild senior members of the Great Apes family at a closer point. Gorilla Trek Africa offer these services at a fee |
| Market places | Kigali market is usually a busy place during the day and a better part of the night as the locals get to display and sell their products onto passersby and the locals. You could stumble upon some really nice pieces of items such as clothing, that would otherwise sell more expensive when bought new from stores. Kigali fashion is of good class. You could find nice and fresh foodstuffs from the market which is better for your health |
| Water services | Some people may ask, “can I drink Kigali tap water?” The Kigali bulk water project is being undertaken by private companies under close supervision from the national government. The water running in the taps of the airport is potable and palatable. It is safe for public use. So, yes. You can drink Kigali tap water. |
| Security | Kigali International Airport is always 24-hour security surveillance. All security parastatals work in conjunction to ensure that the airport is safe from terror attacks and thieves who target the travellers |
| Internet | The airport offers free superfast internet to the travellers to ensure you are still in touch with your family and friends. There are also sim card vendors at the airport who sell the sim cards with enough mobile data to ensure you remain connected while in Rwanda. If exhausted, one could easily recharge them from the vendors of airtime |
Kigali International Airport arrivals and departures
Airport Departures
| Flight number | Destination | Airline |
| MS835 | Entebbe | EgyptAir |
| CQ231 | Mwanza | Coastal aviation |
| UI600 | Entebbe | Auric air |
| UI601 | Entebbe | Auric air |
| ET3816 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopian airline |
| QR1387 | Doha | Qatar airways |
| KL535 | Entebbe | KLM |
| CQ231 | Entebbe | Coastal aviation |
Kigali Airport Arrivals
| Flight number | Origin | Airline |
| JM8546 | Nairobi | Jambojet |
| CQ232 | Mwanza | Coastal aviation |
| KL535 | Amsterdam | KLM |
| QR1837 | Entebbe | Qatar Airways |
| UI600 | Seronera | Auric air |
| KQ2442 | Bujumbura | Kenya airways |
| JM8546 | Nairobi | Jambojet |
Kigali International Airport map
Kigali city map
Hotels near Kigali International Airport
| Hotel | Address | Guest ratings (out of 5 stars) | Cost per booking per night, booking |
| Lebanon hotel | KG 213 street, 58 KG 233 St, Kigali, Rwanda | 4.0 | $66, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Kigali castle | KG 206 Street, Kigali, Rwanda | 4.5 | $70, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Ishema Kigali home | KK 357 Street 16, Kigali, Rwanda | 5.0 | $22, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Gisa stay 101 | KG 239 St, Kigali, Rwanda | 4.2 | $16, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| The Mirror hotel | KN 5 Rd, Kigali Rwanda | 3.6 | $62, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Isimbi Murugo | KK 87 Street, Kigali, Rwanda | 3.4 | $13, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Martin Aviator motel | 5593Kigali-Rw Colline Kanombe, Kigali, Rwanda | 3.4 | $61, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Wailers motel | KK 188 Street Near Alpha Palace Hotel, Nyakabanda, Kigali, Rwanda | 3.7 | $14, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Kigali airport hotel | KK53 Street, Kigali, Rwanda | 4.5 | $26, can be booked from www.booking.com |
| Kigali Serena hotel | KN 3 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda | 4.5 | $149, can be booked from www.booking.com |
Destinations from Kigali International Airport
| From-to | Distance | Transportation modes |
| Kigali-Nairobi | 1174.5 km | Take a taxi from Kigali town to the airport. It will take around 20 minutes on average traffic density. After booking your flight, the flight will be 1 hour and 20 minutes to Nairobi. From there, using a taxi, it will be a 20 minutes ride to town. |
| Kigali-Kampala | 508.9 km | A taxi from Kigali International Airport to the bus station is around 20 minutes. From the bus station, it is a 6 hour journey to Kampala city. |
| Kigali-London | 10 027.9 km | Take a flight from Kigali International Airport to London, England. It is a 12 hours long flight. |
| Kigali-Zanzibar | 1530.5 km | Take a plane to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It will be a 2hour and 30 minutes long flight. Take a taxi from the airport to the port which will be a 10 minutes ride. You will use a ferry to cross over to Zanzibar. It will take you 3 hours to arrive at the island. From Zanzibar’s port, a 20 minute ride to the town is the only journey to be covered. |
| Kigali-Lake Kivu | 187 km | Take a bus from the airport to town, 20 minutes ride. From the bus station, it is a 1 hour ride to Muhanga town. From Muhanga town, a 10 minute ride on a taxi will lead you to the shores of L. Kivu. |
| Kigali-Nyungwe | 218.2 km | Take a taxi to the bus station. It will take you 20 minutes to the bus station. From there, take a bus to Nyamagabe, an average 3 hour bus ride. From there, it will be a 2-hour ride to Nyungwe. |
| Kigali-Kinshasa | 2540 km | Book a flight to Kinshasa. It is a 2-hour flight to Kinshasa Airport. From the airport, it is a 20-minute ride to the city. |
Kigali International Airport Ground Transportation
Kigali International Airport has several companies that offer individual and group travel to destinations of their choice. One is able to book a taxi online from one of the company’s website, https://www.horizontransfers.com/airport-transfers-rwanda/ and order a taxi of his/her preference. They have well trained drivers who are kind enough. The drivers will take you anywhere and also pick you from anywhere. They also have seat boosters for children below 10 years.
Kigali International Airport Parking
The parking area is accessible to people who are either traveling or visiting the airport for whatever reasons. Parking fees for an hour are charged at RWF 3000. After the first hour, the vehicle earns an extra parking fee of RWF 500 for every extra hour it is parked. Loss of the parking ticket attracts a fine of RWF 5000 on top of the parking fee charged. To people who visit the airport frequently, like workers, there is a monthly fee charged for them.
Kigali International Airport Amendment
60% of the $1.3 billion was purchased by Qatar airways in Feb. 2019. The airline company looks to grow the holding capacity of travellers by 200%. This means that the number of travellers handled per year will grow to 14 million by 2032. It looks to expand the airport greatly.
Kigali International Airport Lost and Found
Kigali International Airport Lost and Found office is currently under operation by RwandaAir. Abandoned items are perceived as lost. The baggage could be lost by misplacement, during offloading and other forms. People who claim their items as lost could record their complaints at the lost and found office. If one has left the airport and still wants to reach them, you could reach them via their telephone number: +250788308814.
Kigali International Airport Lounges
There are several lounges to ensure travellers rejuvenate themselves before tgeir next flights. They include Pearl lounge, The LoungeBuddy and Orbitz.
Kigali International Airport Codes
IATA:: KGL, ICAO: HRYR
Kigali International Airport Duty Free
The Rwanda Airport Company has set aside 357 m² to for the construction of retail shops. These shops are duty free. Companies with enough experience were given the mandate to operate the retail shops. At the retail section there is a kids corner and a section for food dispensing.
Kigali International Airport Jobs
Kigali International Airport being the busiest airport in Rwanda has directly and indirectly employed more than 70 000 locals. This has improved their livelihood as they are not living in poverty. Their pay is also quite handsome. Every new day, there are job vacancies announced online for qualified people to apply. This ensures there are quality services being provided to the people. Jobs at Kigali International Airport are preferably given to the citizens of Rwanda.
Kigali International Airport Passengers Traffic
The number of travellers served by Kigali airport has faced an upward trajectory. According to statistics, the number rose to 710 000 in 2016 from 600 000 in 2013. It is projected to rise to 14 million people by 2032.
Kigali International Airport Weather
Kigali, Rwanda, being in the equatorial region, generally has hot and wet climates. There are live webcams to give live information about the weather around the airport upon request. This is useful in terms of one planning his/her journey into or out of the country via the airport. This will also help in terms of the dressing
My name is Alex Mutuma and I founded this blog, Airport LLC as a way to document and engage with clients in my travel consulting business. Airportllc.com is the only source of over 2,000 fun things flyers could do during layovers.
Over the past 7 years, I have designed and planned tour packages for hundreds of clients and have recently focussed on the mission of changing boring layovers to excellent mini-vacations by giving you the best suggestions on must-do activities when flying over different airports.
Next time you or your friend are looking for suggestions on what to do in some airport, remember Airport LLC or Airportllc.com. On this site, you’ll get the best suggestions available on the internet regarding hand-picked activities that will fulfill your airport experience.
I currently reside in New York City and have obtained a license to provide professional tour guidance at Airports in the US and across the world. Why should you listen to my suggestions? I have flown through more than 100 airports in the world and fortunately, I have pictures, stories, and tips to share with you regarding all the fun stuff you can do as you wait for your next flight.
Aside from gaining thousands of flying miles, I am also a travel consultant assisting clients with bookings and specifically advance tour bookings of things to do at airports when the layover is longer than 5 hours.
To make a 15-minute free things-to-do consultation with Alex, use my email, alex@airportllc.com.
This is only recommended for flyers with long layovers of over 5 hours. If your layover is 3+ hours, you can still reach out but we cannot guarantee the ideal package that will change your layovers to mini-vacations. I only support clients flying through US airports and a select number of cities across the world.
———–
Name: Alex Mutuma
Profession: A professional travel consultant with a focus on airport activities to do during layovers
Email: Alex@airportllc.com
Phone: +1 945 348 889
Website: airportllc.com
Location: 322 Main Packway Street, Boston, US
———–
