How to Get to Uganda & Rwanda
The journey to East Africa is easier than ever before. Whether you are coming from the skyscrapers of New York, the historic streets of London, or the bustle of Dubai, multiple international carriers connect you to the heart of the adventure.
Your two main gateways are:
- Uganda: Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
- Rwanda: Kigali International Airport (KGL)
Here is a breakdown of the best airlines and routes to get you here, along with the best platforms to book your tickets.
Major International Airlines (By Region)
From Europe
Europe offers the most direct connections to East Africa.
- Ethiopian Airlines has an extensive network connecting Africa to Europe. It is a Star Alliance member and often uses Addis Ababa (ADD) as its central hub for these connections.
- RwandAir has a growing footprint in Europe. It is a convenient airline for travellers from the United Kingdom, France and Belgium.
- Brussels Airlines: It offers direct flights from Brussels (BRU) to both Entebbe and Kigali. This is often the most convenient option for travellers from the UK, Germany, and France connecting via Belgium.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: Offers daily flights from Amsterdam (AMS) to Entebbe and Kigali. Ideal for travellers connecting from North America or Northern Europe.
- Turkish Airlines: A fantastic option with competitive pricing. Flies from Istanbul (IST) to both Entebbe and Kigali.
From North America (USA & Canada)
There are no direct non-stop flights from North America to Uganda or Rwanda. You will need one stopover. The most popular routes are:
- Via Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines offers direct flights from New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Washington D.C. (IAD), and Chicago (ORD) to Addis Ababa, with short connections to both Entebbe and Kigali.
- Via Kenya: Kenya Airways (KQ) operates a non-stop direct flight from New York (JFK) to Nairobi (NBO). Then connect onwards to Uganda or Rwanda.
- Via Europe: Fly Delta, United, or American Airlines to Amsterdam or Brussels, then connect with KLM or Brussels Airlines.
- Via the Middle East: Fly Qatar Airways (via Doha) or Emirates (via Dubai). These offer world-class service and break up the long journey nicely.
From the Middle East & Asia
- Qatar Airways: Connects via Doha (DOH) to Entebbe and Kigali. Often voted the world’s best airline.
- Emirates: Connects via Dubai (DXB) to Entebbe.
- FlyDubai: A more budget-friendly option connecting via Dubai.
Connecting Between Uganda & Rwanda
If you are visiting both countries (e.g., Gorillas in Rwanda and Rafting in Uganda), the flight between them is short and scenic.
- RwandAir: The national carrier of Rwanda. It operates multiple daily flights between Entebbe and Kigali. The flight takes just 45 minutes.
- Uganda Airlines: The revived national carrier of Uganda also operates this route efficiently.
Where to Book Your Flights
Direct with Airlines (Recommended for Flexibility)
Booking directly is often safer if you need to change dates or handle cancellations.
- Ethiopian Airlines: ethiopianairlines.com
- Kenya Airways: kenya-airways.com
- RwandAir: rwandair.com
- Qatar: qatarairways.com
- Emirates: emirates.com
- Brussels Airlines: brusselsairlines.com
- KLM: klm.com
Option B: Flight Aggregators (Best for Price Comparison)
Use these sites to compare prices across different days and airlines.
- Booking.com: Great for flight deals
- Lastminute.com: Great for flight deals
- Expedia: Good for flight deals..
- Google Flights: The most powerful tool for visualizing price trends. Use the “Date Grid” feature to find the cheapest day to fly.
- Skyscanner: Great for finding budget options and mix-and-match airlines.
Beware of sites offering cheap tickets. Hidden charges may be applied and they may be lacking in support.
Quick Reference: Airlines & Hubs
| Airline | Main Hub | Flies to Uganda (EBB)? | Flies to Rwanda (KGL)? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa (ADD) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Direct access from Europe, America and parts of Asia |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi (NBO) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Direct access from Europe and parts of Asia |
| RwandAir | Kigali (KGL) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Direct access from Europe, and parts of Asia |
| Brussels Airlines | Brussels (BRU) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Direct access from Europe |
| KLM | Amsterdam (AMS) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | USA/Europe Connections |
| Qatar Airways | Doha (DOH) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Luxury / Asia Connections |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa (ADD) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | USA / Africa Connections |
| RwandAir | Kigali (KGL) | ✅ Yes | Hub | Regional hop EBB <-> KGL |
| Uganda Airlines | Entebbe (EBB) | Hub | ✅ Yes | Regional hop EBB <-> KGL |
| Emirates | Dubai (DXB) | ✅ Yes | ❌ (Codeshare only) | Comfort / Dubai Stopover |
Look for “Multi-City” or “Open-Jaw” Tickets.If you plan to visit both Uganda and Rwanda, instead of booking a roundtrip to Entebbe, book a ticket that flies into Entebbe and out of Kigali (or vice versa). This saves you from having to backtrack to your starting point, giving you more time to explore.