TRAVEL FACTS
GETTING THERE
The most direct route to Rwanda is to fly to Dubai with Qantas or Emirates and connect on a RwandAir flight to Kigali. Or you can fly via Dubai and Kenya or via South Africa. •
Qantas: qantas.com.au •
Emirates: emirates.com •
RwandAir: rwandair.com •
South African Airways: flySAA.com
GETTING AROUND
You may find the best way to get around Rwanda is to hire a car and driver. Not only will it enable you to make the most of your time in Kigali and around Volcanoes National Park it’s the only way to get around outside the city other than by local bus.
WHEN TO GO
Rwanda is virtually on the Equator so the main variation is that there’s the principal wet season in March and a secondary one in November. We went in early November and although we had fine weather on our gorilla mornings, there was rain each afternoon. An advantage of this low season is that the gorilla families tend to be found eating new bamboo closer to the edge of the park so there’s less hiking.
WHERE TO STAY & EAT
The best accommodation near the gorillas is Bisate Lodge, which combines glorious local design with exceptional service. There’s a range of hotel options at all levels in Kigali. We chose the Hôtel des Mille Collines because it was the basis for Hotel Rwanda. It’s probably about 3.5 star but has a great breakfast buffet. The nearby Heaven Restaurant offers superb healthy food with wonderful views from the outdoor patio – and it’s set to open a boutique hotel next door. FURTHER INFORMATION
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Remarkable Rwanda: rwandatourism.com
• Wilderness Safaris:
wilderness-safaris.com/camps/bisate-lodge •
Kigali Genocide Memorial: kgm.rw
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Heaven Restaurant: heavenrwanda.com
• Volcanoes National Park:
volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com
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Abercrombie & Kent:
abercrombiekent.com.au