Amahoro Tours
- Responsible Tourism and Eco-Tourism in Rwanda -

 

 

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9 Facts about Rwanda
9 Visitor accounts
9 Facts for the visitor
9 Attractions
9 Culture
9 Infrastructure
9 Travel advisory

 

Services - Infrastructure

In this section you can find information on:

- Airline schedules
- Getting around the country (distances, means of transport)
- Hotels


Airline schedules for Kigali's International Airport (Kanombe):
Monday:
- Rwandair (WB 107): leaves at 7:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 10:20 from Nairobi
- Kenya Airways (KQ 474): arrives at 15:20 from Bujumbura, leaves at 15:50 to Nairobi

Tuesday:
- Kenya Airways (KQ 474): arrives at 9:25 from Bujumbura, leaves at 10:05 to Nairobi
- Rwandair (WB 108): leaves at 14:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 17:20 from Nairobi
- SN Brussels (SN 465): arrives at 19:30 from Brussels, leaves at 20:30 to Nairobi-Brussels

Wednesday:
- Ethiopian Airlines (ET 803/2): arrives at 5:30 from Entebbe, leaves at 6:40 to Entebbe-Addis Ababa
- Rwandair (WB 107/8): leaves at 7:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 10:20 from Nairobi
- South African Airlines (SA 112/3): arrives at 13:15 from Johannesburg, leaves at 14:15 to Johannesburg
- Kenya Airways (KQ 474): arrives at 15:20 from Bujumbura, leaves at 15:50 to Nairobi
- Rwandair (WB 105/6): leaves at 17:00 to Entebbe, arrives at 19:45 from Entebbe

Thursday:
- Kenya Airlines (KQ 472/3): arrives at 7:40 from Nairobi, leaves at 8:10 to Nairobi
- Rwandair (WB 107/8): leaves at 14:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 17:20 from Nairobi

Friday:
- Rwandair (WB 107/8)): leaves at 7:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 10:20 from Nairobi
- Kenya Airlines (KQ 476/7): arrives at 13:10 from Nairobi, leaves at 13:40 to Nairobi
- Ethiopian Airlines (ET 807/6): arrives at 15:15 from Entebbe, leaves at 17:10 to Entebbe-Addis Ababa
- Rwandair (WB 105/6): leaves at 17:00 to Entebbe, arrives at 19:45 from Entebbe

Saturday:
- Kenya Airways (KQ 472/3): arrives at 7:40 from Nairobi, leaves at 8:10 to Nairobi
- Rwandair (WB 107/8): leaves at 14:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 17:20 from Nairobi
- SN Brussels (SN 463): arrives at 19:40 from Brussels, leaves at 20:40 to Nairobi-Brussels

Sunday:
- Ethiopian Airlines (ET 879/8): arrives at 5:30 from Addis Ababa, leaves at 6:30 to Bujumbura-Addis Ababa
- Rwandair (WB 107/8): leaves at 7:00 to Nairobi, arrives at 10:20 from Nairobi
- Rwandair (WB 113/2) leaves at 11:00 to Johannesburg, arrives at 19:10 from Johannesburg
- Kenya Airways (KQ 476/7): arrives at 13:10 from Nairobi, leaves at 13:40 to Nairobi
- Rwandair (WB 105/6): leaves at 19:50 to Entebbe, arrives at 22:00 from Entebbe

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Getting around the country:
There are various options to get around Rwanda. Of course, Amahoro Tours will provide for reliable and comfortable means of transport (usually 4x4 vehicles). However, you also have the option to rent your own vehicle (usually with a local driver), a request for which your tour organizer will be happy to negotiate with our local partners. Finally, you might wish to spend some time in the country independently of your guides. Options of public transport include minibus taxis, private minibus operators, ‘normal’ taxis and two-wheeled taxis.

Approximate distances between main towns (in Km):

 

Kigali

Butare

Byumba

Gitarama

Kibungo

Kibuye

Gisenyi

Gikongoro

Ruhengeri

Cyangugu

Kigali

 

135

60

53

112

144

187

164

118

293

Butare

135

 

210

82

247

129

237

29

190

158

Byumba

60

210

 

128

187

219

173

240

104

349

Gitarama

53

82

128

 

165

91

177

112

108

221

Kibungo

112

247

187

165

 

256

299

277

230

386

Kibuye

144

129

219

91

256

 

108

258

199

130

Gisenyi

187

237

173

177

299

108

 

366

69

238

Gikongoro

164

29

240

112

277

258

366

 

220

128

Ruhengeri

118

190

104

108

230

199

69

220

 

307

Cyangugu

293

158

349

221

386

130

248

128

307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Self-drive:
• Although the Rwandan road system is supposed to be among the best in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, it is still far away from the standard you find, for example, in Europe or Northern America. Most trunk roads are surfaced and in reasonable condition, which means that you still have to expect the occasional pothole, numerous road obstacles such as slow vehicles, bicycles, cows or crowds of people on their way to the next market or church, and the incautious driving styles of other drivers. Driving at night is not advisable. Comparably well-maintained routes include the main roads between Kigali and various other towns such as Butare and Cyangugu, Ruhengeri and Gisenyi, Kibungo and Rusumo, Gitarama and Kibuye, and Byumba, Umutara and the Ugandan border. Some of the most attractive unsurfaced routes include the road between Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu running parallel to Lake Kivu, and the approach roads to Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park and the scenic lakes Burera and Ruhondo.
• Amahoro Tours is able to do rental arrangements of your private vehicle usually with a local driver from our local partners. Rates vary according to where you want to go and whether fuel is included. A typical price for an all-inclusive day is about US$150 for a Toyota pick-up

Public transport:
• Minibus taxis are the main means of public transport in Rwanda. Usually they leave throughout the day from every major town’s minibus stations when they are full. In Kigali, the current fare for every trip is FRw 100.
• Private minibuses link the major towns at fixed timetables. Typical durations are, for example, 1½ hours from Kigali to Ruhengeri, a little bit more than an hour from Ruhengeri to Gisenyi and about two hours from Kigali to Kibuye. The prices are reasonable – the trip from Kigali to Ruhengeri, for example, costs FRw 1,500.
• Normal taxis (usually white with a yellow or orange stripe round the side) are available in larger towns. It is advisable to negotiate the price in advance and to bargain if it appears to be exaggerated.
• Two-wheeled taxis include motorbikes and bicycles. Offering an additional feeling of adventure, they are convenient for shorter distances. Similar to the taxis, it is important to agree on a price beforehand. Please note that the safety is rather limited (helmets are unavailable) and that many travel insurances might not cover for accidents.
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Hotels
For our tours, we can offer you a range of different types of accommodation. You can choose between upmarket international standard hotels (five or four stars), different types of budget accommodation, and campsites (you should bring your own camping equipment). Our recommendations concerning the accommodation for a certain type of visit can be found in the section on exemplary itineraries.

Please find a list below featuring those hotels that we currently use (campsites are generally available – please discuss this issue with your travel planner):

Kigali:
Intercontinental Kigali (*****)
• Address: PO Box 7469 Kigali
• Contact: tel 597100, adminich@rwanda1.com  
• Location: 10 Km from the airport, 10 minute walking distance from the heart of the city
• Rooms: 1 presidential suite, 6 luxury suites, 60 deluxe rooms, 19 superior rooms and a ground-floor room for disabled guests; all rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite-bathroom, minibar, bathrobes, hair dryer, direct-dial phone, fax modem point, 12-channel satellite TV with radio and facilities for making tea and coffee
• Facilities: restaurants, cafe, lounge barfitness centre, swimming pool, boutique, 24-hour business centre, 2 large and 3 smaller conference centres and banqueting rooms (up to 550 delegates), free air-conditioned shuttle service to/from the airport
• Credit cards are accepted

Hotel Novotel Kigali Umubano (****)
• Address: Boulevard de l’Umuganda, BP874, Kigali
• Contact: tel 85813-16, fax 82957, umubano@rwanda1.com or umubano1@rwanda1.com
• Location: 5 minutes to the city centre and to the international airport in Kacyiru, close to the ministries and the presidency
• Rooms: 98 modern and spacious rooms including 14 suites with bathroom, direct dial and satellite TV
• Facilities: 2 conference rooms, business centre with Internet access, shops, bank, hairdresser, bar, restaurant with terrace, pool, tennis courts, volleyball court, mini-golf, special footing circuit, 2 hectares tropical garden
• Credit cards are accepted

Hotel Chez Lando (**)
• Address: BP1519, Kigali
• Contact: tel 84328, fax 84380
• Location: between the airport and the city centre in Remera
• Rooms: 32 rooms in attractive villas set in a quiet garden, mid-range, private bath, terrace or balcony, international telephone service, satellite TV
• Facilities: bar, restaurant, nightclub

Ruhengeri / Kinigi:
Gorillas’ Nest
• Contact: tel 546954, 08305708
• Description: new mid-range lodge
• Rooms: 18 rooms, comfortable and probably the best available in this part of Rwanda

Assoferwa Guesthouse Kinigi
• Location: only 200m from the park headquarters, beautiful scenery at the foot of Mt. Sabyinyo
• Rooms: 20 simple and basic but clean rooms

Muhabura Hotel
• Location: Avenue du 5 juillet (near the ORTPN office), BP118, Ruhengeri
• Contact: tel 71511
• Rooms and facilities: 15 large, clean and airy rooms with bathrooms, bar, restaurant

Centre d’Accueil d’Eglise Episcopale
• Location: corner of Rue du Pyrθthre and Avenue du 5 juillet
• Rooms and facilities: clean chalets, restaurant (advance ordering requested), campsite

Gisenyi:
“Kivu-Sun" Hotel  (****)
• Address: PO Box 7469 Kigali
• Contact: tel 541101, fax 541102, kivusun@southernsun.com  
• Location: at the southern edge of the town, directly at Lake Kivu, with breathtaking views
• Rooms: 66 air-conditioned bedrooms (including 6 luxury suites, 23 family rooms and accommodation for disabled guests) with ensuite-bathroom, mini-bar and safe, hairdryer, direct-dial phone, fax modem point, satellite TV and facilities to make tea and coffee
• Facilities: restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, 3 conference rooms, water sports, boat trips

Palm Beach Hotel
• Address: Avenue de la Coopιration; BP347, Gisenyi
• Contact: tel 08323111
• Rooms and facilities: basic but charming hotel, 25 rooms, in an art deco building facing the beach, palm-shaded lakeshore drive, telephone, restaurant

Oasis Guesthouse
• Location: about 500m out of town along the Ruhengeri road
• Rooms and facilities: very pleasant little hotel with 15 rooms, sometimes with sofa, television and hot bath, good restaurant, excellent outdoors bar in relaxed setting, regular entertainment
• Special offer: the owners also offer a spatious villa with 4 rooms, a beautiful garden and stunning views of Lake Kivu

Kibuye:
Guesthouse Kibuye
• Description: very popular resort on the shores of Lake Kivu
• Contact: tel 68544, Guesthouse@rwanda1.com
• Rooms and facilities: 18 simply furnished cottages, comfortable and clean accommodation, private bathrooms, private beach with facilities, tennis, ping-pong
• Options: water sports and boat rides to nearby islands and attractions

Guesthouse Centre Bιthanie
• Contact: tel 68235
• Description: less well-known but with almost the same comfort than Guesthouse Kibuye and cheaper
• Rooms and Facilities: simple but comfortable rooms, bar, restaurant
• Options: boat rides to nearby islands and attractions

Cyangugu / Nyungwe National Park:
Hotel des Chutes
• Location: at Lake Kivu with great view across the lake
• Rooms and facilities: clean rooms with attached bathroom, balconies, satellite TV, restaurant

ORTPN Resthouse
• Location: on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, 2Km outside the park, close to the Gisakura Tea Estate
• Rooms: large self-contained chalets with shared bathrooms

Butare:
Hotel Credo
• Contact: credohotel@yahoo.fr

Hotel Ibis
• Address: BP103, Butare
• Contact: tel 530335/532160, fax 530005, campianibis@hotmail.com

Hotel Faucon
• Address: BP366, Butare
• Contact: tel 532061, fax 532061

South-East Rwanda / Akagera National Park:
Akagera Game Lodge
• Address: PO Box 2288, Kigali
• Contact: tel 567805, agl@rwanda1.com  
• Location: in Akagera National Park, with stunning views of Lake Ihema
• Rooms: 58 2-bed studios with own patio/balcony, satellite TV and ensuite bathroom
• Facilities: restaurant, bar, swimming pool, tennis courts, conference facilities

Dereva Hotel
• Location: about 50Km from Akagera National Park in Rwamagana, alongside the main road
• Rooms and facilities: 12 basic rooms, restaurants

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Amahoro Tours
PO Box 87, Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Tel. +250-08655223 ;
info@amahoro-tours.com

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