The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, RwandAir, has announced the suspension of flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa. According to the airline, the suspension becomes effective on 27 October 2024. Passengers holding tickets after this date are advised to contact RwandAir or their preferred travel agents for rebooking options.
Showing posts with label rwanda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rwanda. Show all posts
17 September 2024
13 May 2024
Malawi: Malawi Airlines is planning to introduce new routes to three African countries!
According to news reports from Malawi, the flag carrier of the country, Malawi Airlines, is planning to launch new routes to three African countries. The marketing mangager of the airline, Only Taulo, told local reporters recently that Malawi Airlines will introduce new services to Rwanda, Mozambique and Uganda. Flights to Kigali in Rwanda as well as Nampula and Pemba in Mozambique will "soon" be introduced, while the launch of flights to Uganda is expected to take place towards the end of 2024. We'll keep you posted!
26 July 2023
Malawi: Malawi Airlines set to launch flights to three new regional destinations!
The flag carrier airline of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, is planning to launch flights to three new regional destinations. According to postings on facebook, the airline is planing to introduce flights from Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe to two destinations in Mozambique, namely Nampula Airport (APL) in Nampula and Pemba Airport (POL) in Pemba, as well as flights from Lilongwe to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. Malawi Airlines has so far not provided any information on the launch date for its flights to the Mozambican destinations besides "route commencing soon". However, flights to Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali are set to commence from mid-August 2023. We'll keep you posted!
20 April 2023
Rwanda: Rwandair has launched flights between Kigali <> Paris!
The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, Rwandair, has introduced direct flights to Paris in France on 17 April 2023. The new flights to the French capital operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights depart Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali at 00:30, arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris at 09:00 the same morning. The returning flights leave Paris at 21:30 arriving in Kigali at 06:00 the following morning. Paris is the 25th destination on Rwandair's route map.
13 July 2022
Five destinations in Southern & East Africa made it to list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places 2022"!
The Time Magazine, an American weekly news magazine and news website, has released its fourth annual list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places". To compile this list, the magazine solicited nominations of places from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. Five destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa have been selected by the Time Magazine to be featured on the list of the "World's Greatest Places 2022". These are Franschhoek in South Africa, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, Nairobi in Kenya and Kigali in Rwanda. Congratulations!
29 November 2021
Rwanda: Akagera National Park welcomes 30 white rhinos in largest-ever single translocation!
In the largest single rhino translocation ever undertaken, 30 white rhinos have been introduced to Akagera National Park in Rwanda in November 2021. The rhinos were sourced from the andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The translocation was carried out through a collaboration between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), African Parks and andBeyond, with funding provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. The rhinos will be monitored daily in Akagera National Park by a dedicated team and a specialist veterinarian who will be overseeing their acclimation. Each rhino has also been fitted with a transmitter to enable constant monitoring by dedicated tracking teams; a canine anti-poaching unit and helicopter surveillance are also in place to provide further support for their long-term protection.
The translocation of the 30 rhino to Akagera National Park aims to extend the white rhino range and create a secure new breeding stronghold in Rwanda, supporting population growth to ensure the long-term survival of the species in the wild as high-levels of poaching continue to exert unsustainable pressure on current populations. In the recent years, lions (2015) as well as black rhino (2017 and 2019) have already been successfully reintroduced to Akagera National Park.
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| White rhinos introduced to Akagera in Rwanda © Gael Vande Weghe & African Parks |
Akagera National Park is a protected area in eastern Rwanda covering 1,122 km² along the international border with Tanzania. The National Park is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda.
08 October 2021
Covid-19: The UK removes 14 countries in Southern & East Africa from the Covid-19 travel "red list"!
The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has announced that the Covid-19 travel "red list" will reduce to 7 countries (Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela) and proof of vaccination will be recognised from 37 new countries and territories (including three countries from Southern and East Africa) from 11 October 2021.
The following countries in Southern and East Africa will be removed from the list from 04:00 on 11 October 2021:
- Angola
- Botswana
- DR Congo
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under 18s returning from countries and territories not on the red list, can do so with just a day 2 test. eOther passengers who are not fully vaccinated with an authorised vaccine returning from a non-red destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day 2 and day 8 test and complete 10 days self-isolation (with the option of Test to Release on day 5).
The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) also announced, from 04:00 on 11 October 2021, eligible travellers vaccinated in over 37 new countries and territories will also be treated the same as returning fully vaccinated UK residents, so long as they have not visited a red list country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England. The following countries in Southern and East Africa are among these countries:
Passengers who are not an eligible traveller with an authorised vaccine arriving from a rest of world destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day 2 and day 8 test and complete 10 days self-isolation (with the option of Test to Release on day 5).
05 October 2021
Rwanda: RwandAir and Qatar Airways have signed a comprehensive codeshare agreement!
The flag carrier of Rwanda, RwandAir, and the flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, have signed a comprehensive codeshare agreement. The new agreement enables passengers to buy connecting flights on both airlines to more than 65 destinations across Africa, the U.S., Europe and Asia using one reservation, with seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage-check that encompasses the entire journey. As part of the deal, RwandAir will also launch new non-stop flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha in December 2021.
RwandAir and Qatar Airways recently announced a loyalty partnership, giving RwandAir Dream Miles and Qatar Airways Privilege Club loyalty members access to each other’s destinations. This gives customers the opportunity to accrue and redeem miles across their reciprocal route networks and access the airlines’ airport lounges at both airline’s hub homes in Doha and Kigali.
02 August 2021
RwandAir & Qatar Airways sign interline agreement!
The flag carrier of Rwanda, RwandAir, and the flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, have launched a strategic partnerhip. As part of the new partnership, an extensive interline agreement will give customers access to the networks of both airlines. Customers can pick and choose from over 160 destinations in the combined networks of RwandAir and Qatar Airways.
The two airlines last month already announced that they have joined forces to offer RwandAir Dream Miles and Qatar Airways Privilege Club loyalty members access to each other’s destinations with the opportunity to ‘earn and burn’ points across their reciprocal route networks.
An Interline agreement between airlines allows passengers to change from one flight on one airline to another flight on another airline without having to gather their bags or check-in again.
22 July 2021
Six destinations in Southern & East Africa made it to list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places 2021"!
The famous Time Magazine, an American weekly news magazine and news website, has released its third annual list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places". To compile this list, the magazine solicited nominations of places - including countries, regions, cities and towns - from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. Six destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa have been selected by Time Magazine to be featured on the list of the "World's Greatest Places 2021". These are the Bazaruto Archipelago and the Chimanimani National Park in Mozambique, Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Botswana's Okavango Delta as well as Lake Kivu in Rwanda. Congratulations!
04 May 2021
Rwandair resumes flights to South Africa, Zambia & Zimbabwe! [update]
update (06 May 2021): Rwandair operates one weekly direct flight between Kigali and Johannesburg and the other two weekly flights via Lusaka. Flights between Kigali and Cape Town will all be operated via Harare.
Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, has announced the resumption of flights to South Africa. The airline suspended flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg on 08 February 2021 due to to the global concerns on covid variants throughout southern Africa. Rwandair will resume flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 07 May 2021 with three weekly frequencies on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. According to Rwandair's facebook page, flights between Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town are set to resume on 14 May 2021. Flights to Lusaka in Zambia (07 May 2021) and Harare in Zimbabwe (14 May 2021) will also be re-introduced.
08 February 2021
Rwandair has temporarily suspended flights to South Africa, Zambia & Zimbabwe!
Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, has announced the temporary suspension of flights to South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe from 08 February 2021. This is due to the global concerns on covid variants throughout southern Africa. The airline will resume operations to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lusaka and Harare as soon there is more clarity on the situation. Affected customers can rebook and fly at a later date at no additional cost - or request a refund. We'll keep you posted!
05 February 2021
Rwanda has updated the current Covid-19 prevention measures!
The Government of Rwanda has reviewed the current Covid-19 prevention measures and announced an update. The existing measures will get extended countrywide - including the current lockdown of Kigali - from 03 February 2021 through 07 February 2021.
From 08 February 2021 until 22 February 2021, the following measures will be in effect in the city of Kigali:
- Movements will be prohibited between 19:00 and 04:00.
- Public offices will be closed.
- Private businesses will resume with essential staff at not more than 30% capacity. Business resuming operations must close by 17:00.
- All schools (public and private), including universities, will remain closed.
- Movement between Kigali and other provinces and districts in Rwanda will not be permitted, except for essential services or tourism.
- Tourism activity will continue in strict adherence with Covid-19 guidelines. Tourists must possess negative Covid-19 test results. Travellers, including drivers, traveling to tourism entities within Kigali and other provinces and districts in Rwanda are required to complete and submit movement requests through the Tourism Movement Facilitation Form. Travellers are also required to send copies of negative COVID-19 test results to visitrwanda@rbd.rw at least 24 hours prior to the trip. More information is found here.
- Public transport will resume within Kigali and should not exceed 50% capacity. Motorcycle taxis will be permitted to carry passengers.
- Physical meetings, events, and gatherings will not be permitted.
- Gyms and recreational centers will remain closed. All swimming pools will be closed except for those at hotels hosting tested guests. Only individual sports will be permitted from 05:00 to 09:00.
- Restaurants and cafés will only provide take-away service. All bars will remain closed.
- Places of worship will remain closed.
From 08 February 2021 until 22 February 2021, the following measures will be in effect in all other areas of Rwanda (outside of Kigali):
- Movements will be prohibited between 19:00 and 04:00.
- Movement between districts will be prohibited.
- Schools will continue operating with appropriate COVID-19 prevention measures.
- Places of worship will remain closed.
- All social gatherings will be prohibited.
- Public transportation, including motorcycle taxis, will continue operating.
- All bars will remain closed.
- Public gyms and swimming pools will be restricted from the public with the exception of tested guests staying at hotels.
Updated procedures for arrival to Rwanda from 08 February 2021:
19 January 2021
Covid-19: Rwanda imposes tough lockdown measures on Kigali!
The Government of Rwanda yesterday (18 January 2021) imposed tough lockdown measures on its capital Kigali and strict restrictions on the rest of the country after a surge in cases of Covid-19. The follwing measures took effect yesterday and will be reviewed after 15 days upon a health assessment:
Kigali:
- Unnecessary movements including visits outside home are prohibited except for essential services including medical/healthcare, food shopping, banking etc. and for the personnel performung such services. All movements will require an approved permit from Rwanda National Police.
- Travel between Kigali and other provinces and districts of the country is not permitted except for essential services and tourism (tourists must be in possession of a negative Covid-19 test).
- Public transport is prohibited. However, transportation of food and essential goods will continue to function. Motos and bicycles are not permitted to carry passengers, but may offer delivery services.
- All employees (public and private) shall work from home, except for those providing essential services.
- Businesses are closed, except distribution and delivery services as well as those selling food, medicine (pharmacies), hygiene and cleaning products, fuel and other essental items. Those businesses are only allowed to operate at 30% capacity. Businesses permitted to operate must close by 18:00.
- Restaurant and cafès are only allowed to provide take-away service.
- All schools (public and private) including universities are closed. However, remote learning is encouraged.
- Places of worship are closed.
- Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali remains open. Arriving passengers must present a negative PCR test taken within 120hrs prior to their first departure. Departing passengers must present a negative PCR test before departure.
- Designated hotels for arriving passengers remain open under strict Covid-19 prevention measures.
- Tourism activity continues in strict adherence with Covid-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators and transport services facilitating guests. Tourists and service providers shall inform the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) of itineraries.
- Hotels are only allowed to host essential conferences upon written approval from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
- Farming continues for the ongoing agricultural season while observing Covid-19 control measures.
- Funeral gatherings shall not exceed 15 persons.
- Movements are prohibited from 18:00 to 04:00.
- Places of worship are closed
- Schools will continue while respecting Covid-19 control measures
- All bars remain closed
- All social gatherings and events including religious wedding ceremonies, receptions, meetings and confereneces are prohibited.
- Public gyms and swimming pools shall be restricted from the public with the exception of tested guests staying at hotels.
- Attendance at a wake/vigil (Ikiriyo) should not exceed 10 people at any one time.
- Funeral gatherings should not exceed 15 persons
- Gaming activites remain prohibited.
11 January 2021
Covid-19: Rwanda has introduced new measures to facilitate the movement of tourists and operators to tourism entities between Kigali and other provinces!
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in Rwanda's economy, has announced that the following measures to facilitate the movement of tourists and operators to tourism entities between Kigali and other provinces have been put into place.
- Travellers, including drivers, are required to fill and submit movement requests at https://www.visitrwanda.com/domestic-tourists-facilitation-form/ together with copies of negative COVID-19 test results to domestictourism@rdb.rw at least 24 hours prior to the trip
- The only accepted tests for tourist visiting Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park is the SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) taken within 72 hours
- A negative Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) taken within 72 hours will be accepted for Akagera National Park
- All other tourism destinations including hotel stays will accept either a Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) or SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) taken within 120 hours.
21 December 2020
Rwanda introduces new tourism-related Covid-19 prevention measures!
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in Rwanda's economy, has announced that the Government of Rwanda has introduced new tourism-related Covid-19 prevention measures.
- All guests staying at various hotels in Rwanda are required to present a negative SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or Antigen Rapid Covid-19 test.
- International tourists entering Rwanda are required to take another Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival which is valid for 120 hours. They are required to take a rapid test after this period elapses.
- Tourists visiting Rwanda's National Parks are required to present a negative SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test with the exception of Akagera National Park where a negative Antigen Rapid Test result for Covid-19 is accepted.
- The cost of the Rapid Antigen Test for Covid-19 is Rwf 10,000 and results are available within 15 minutes after a test is taken. The cost of the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is Rwf 50,000.
- All hotel properties in Rwanda are required to check for tests results before checking in guests.
17 November 2020
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2021": A lodge in Namibia named winner in the "Sustainable Accommodation" category! [update]
update (08 December 2020): Lonely Planet has released a video about the Grootberg Lodge in Namibia's Damaraland, which the guide book publisher describes as "a one-of-a-kind tourist resort in Namibia driven by sustainability and empowering the local community." Enjoy!
Travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet has released its long-awaited Best in Travel list for 2021. Due to the corona pandemic and its massiv impact on travel and tourism, this year's list has been radically reimagined. While Lonely Planet normally issues lists including the best countries, cities and regions, the Best in Travel 2021 is split into three new categories, namely "Sustainability", "Community" and "Diversity".
- The Grootberg Lodge in Namibia's Damaraland has been named winner in the "Sustainable Accommodation" category. The lodge is 100% owned by the the #Khoadi/Hoas conservancy in which the lodge is located. Built from natural materials and powered by the sun, the luxurious accommodation blends effortlessly into the surrounding Klip River Valley.
- Rwanda's mountain gorilla conservation program, which uses sustainable tourism as a vehicle to implement long-term conservational change, has been named winner in the "Sustainable Wildlife Program" category.
05 November 2020
Rwandair to resume flights between Kigali <> Cape Town!
The flag carrier of Rwanda, Rwandair, is set to resume flights to Cape Town. Effective 02 December 2020, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town via Robert Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Flights will depart Kigali at 07:20 and arrive in Cape Town at 14:20 via Harare (10:00 > 11:00), while the return flights will depart Cape Town at 15:20 and arrive in Kigali at 22:20 via Harare (18:40 > 19:40). A Bombardier CRJ-900 NextGen will be used on the route, with seven seats in business class and 68 in economy.
30 October 2020
Rwanda: The Gishwati-Mukura Landscape has been named an UNESCO biosphere reserve!
The Gishwati-Mukura landscape in Rwanda’s Western Province has been named among the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during a session of the International Co-coordinating Council of the Man and Biosphere Programme held on 28 October 2020. The Gishwati-Mukura landscape joins the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve in north-west Rwanda, which was inducted into the network in 1983. Speaking on the UNESCO designation, Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said:
"As Rwanda's newest national park, the Gishwati-Mukura landscape is incredibly beautiful and rich in unique and valuable biodiversity. Rwanda has been working to protect and restore the area by investing in nature based solutions and forest landscape restoration. I commend the efforts of all partners whose tireless work has led to the biosphere reserve status we celebrate today. Conservation not only preserves our natural heritage for future generations, but also plays an important role in fostering ecotourism as a pillar of economic development."The Gishwati-Mukura National Park was gazetted as Rwanda's fourth national park in 2016. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in Rwanda's economy, took over its management in 2019. The park is made up of two separate forests – the larger Mukura and smaller Gishwati – which are located within the landscape. The forests sit on the ridge which divides the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, along the biodiverse Albertine Rift.
08 October 2020
Rwanda: African Parks takes over the management of Nyungwe National Park!
African Parks, a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on conservation, and the Government of Rwanda have signed an 20-year agreement for Nyungwe National Park, through which African Parks is taking over the management of the National Park. The NGO will work together with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in Rwanda's economy, to secure the sustainability of Nyungwe National Park by improving law enforcement, investing in and stimulating local enterprise, and by optimising the National Parks's potential for conservation-based tourism.
Nyungwe National Park, which is located the south-west of Rwanda, is the largest expanse of forest in the country. The National Park is home to a quarter of Africa’s primates – 13 species including chimpanzees and the extremely rare Hamlyn’s and L’Hoest’s monkeys - as well as to more than 1,000 plant species, 75 known mammal species, 322 bird species and at least 120 butterfly species.
Nyungwe National Park represents the second such partnership between RDB and African Parks in Rwanda, following a management agreement for Akagera National Park that began 2010. It is the 19th Park in Africa to join the African Parks portfolio.
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