Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Kenya Airways - NBO KGL NBO

We are going on a gorilla trek in Rwanda in the late Spring... flying Kenya Airways to Kigali from Nairobi...

anyone have any experience with KQ on this route? We are probably going to have to check a bag and wonder how easy that is and if there are any worries about theft, etc on either end.

appreciate the info!

I flew this route R/T in August of 2010 and it was very smooth. I believe they allow you to check up to 30kg of baggage. Because they fly RJs on this route, you won't be able to carry on much anyway. If your NBO to KGL is nonstop, it's a very easy/pleasant flight. To more directly answer your question, I had no problems checking baggage on this flight. Enjoy your gorilla trek! I'll actually be there in early April.

i flew this route last December and it was the worst travel experience of my life. Short story: We ended up in Burundi, got to Kigali 18 hours late and they lost our bags.

The purser was nice though and the E170 is a decent aircraft. Just prepare for bags to be lost (carry on your boots, pants and gaiters) or you could be SOL.

BTW The gorilla trekking is awesome, just be prepared, you're literally going through the forest/jungle while a guy with a machete makes a path in front of you, no trails once you reach Volcanoes National Park here. Also try your best to get your guide to get you Francoise, he's the best guide.

appreciate the info

i flew this route last December and it was the worst travel experience of my life. Short story: We ended up in Burundi, got to Kigali 18 hours late and they lost our bags.

The purser was nice though and the E170 is a decent aircraft. Just prepare for bags to be lost (carry on your boots, pants and gaiters) or you could be SOL.

BTW The gorilla trekking is awesome, just be prepared, you're literally going through the forest/jungle while a guy with a machete makes a path in front of you, no trails once you reach Volcanoes National Park here. Also try your best to get your guide to get you Francoise, he's the best guide.
SkyvanMan, We plan to fly this route in the spring. Can you give us more background about your problem. Was there a mechanical or weather problem? Did you have problems on the return flight too? Thanks for the information.

SkyvanMan, We plan to fly this route in the spring. Can you give us more background about your problem. Was there a mechanical or weather problem? Did you have problems on the return flight too? Thanks for the information.

I was on this route in January too - and we weren't 16 hours late...we were an hour EARLY...because we LEFT 40 minutes early! I don't know if everyone had checked in or what, but when they say get to the airport a couple hours ahead of time, I'd suggest doing it...

SkyvanMan, We plan to fly this route in the spring. Can you give us more background about your problem. Was there a mechanical or weather problem? Did you have problems on the return flight too? Thanks for the information.


MX that eventually was weather, then they said it was pilot training and then the next day it was just customer service (our bags were about 30 hours before us). I didn't fly back with them. Change everything and flew RwandAir (awesome service) KGL-DAR-JRO and then JRO-DAR-AMS back.

Since I live in KGL, I fly this route regularly (In fact, I am flying this Friday as well). I fly either Rwandair or KQ for this route. Depending on the flights, you may need to go through Burundi. If it is a direct flight, it is quite nice short hop.

As for the stolen bag, just make sure you take standard precaution of not putting valuable inside your bag but if the flight is not coming from US, you should be able to lock the bag so I think the risk is not that high (I have not heard any complaints form my colleagues or friends who fly this route).

I personally never had problem but KQ seems to cancel flights more often then Rwandair. So you may want to be careful about that and confirm your flight.

As for the gorilla Trek, late April - May is rain season (although this year is quite funny) so good rain gear and strong over pant to protect your leg are must. Just make sure you bring some sweater with you as Ruhengeri could be very cold in the evening.

I'm another who has done this route (June 2010). We sat in Bujumbura for about 45 minutes longer than scheduled--it was HOT but at least it's an interesting-looking airport. Flight back to NBO was nonstop, quick and easy.

For what it's worth, I booked several months in advance, and my NBO-KGL leg went from nonstop to 1-stop (Burundi) and back again several times.

Had no problems with my luggage, but of course I kept my valuables and essential trekking gear with me as carry-on.

I hope you love Rwanda--I know I did! It's a beautiful country, and seeing the gorillas is pure bliss. Enjoy.

Since I live in KGL, I fly this route regularly (In fact, I am flying this Friday as well). I fly either Rwandair or KQ for this route. Depending on the flights, you may need to go through Burundi. If it is a direct flight, it is quite nice short hop.

As for the stolen bag, just make sure you take standard precaution of not putting valuable inside your bag but if the flight is not coming from US, you should be able to lock the bag so I think the risk is not that high (I have not heard any complaints form my colleagues or friends who fly this route).

I personally never had problem but KQ seems to cancel flights more often then Rwandair. So you may want to be careful about that and confirm your flight.

As for the gorilla Trek, late April - May is rain season (although this year is quite funny) so good rain gear and strong over pant to protect your leg are must. Just make sure you bring some sweater with you as Ruhengeri could be very cold in the evening.

Wow! I will be in KGL for a quick overnight in two weeks...trying to book a hotel near the airport? Suggestions? Right now, I am leaving towards the Serena simply because it seems to be the nicest one until the Marriott opens.

Wow! I will be in KGL for a quick overnight in two weeks...trying to book a hotel near the airport? Suggestions? Right now, I am leaving towards the Serena simply because it seems to be the nicest one until the Marriott opens.

The Serena Hotel in Kigali is quite nice, even though it is not directly at the airport. I recall a drive of about 15-20 minutes. I also took the KQ flight from NBO (including the stop in Bujumbura). I remember a massive (multi-hour) delay, but had no problems with the luggage.

The Serena Hotel in Kigali is quite nice, even though it is not directly at the airport. I recall a drive of about 15-20 minutes. I also took the KQ flight from NBO (including the stop in Bujumbura). I remember a massive (multi-hour) delay, but had no problems with the luggage.

Just ask for a room that is semi-easily accessible. We had a room that required riding two separate elevators to access.

Serena is quite far from the airport (at least 30 min). Depending what time you get to Kigali, you may want to snap a bed asap after you land at the airport. You could try quite a number of choices around Remera, Kacyiru, and/or Nyarutarama areas which are much closer to the airport.

If you would not mind paying for the Serena, you could try some boutique hotels. I heard that Select hotel (behind parliament) is quite nice, although I have never slept there. Also there is a new Gorilla hotel in Nyarutarama which seems quite nice. When my organization sends people, they usually put them at Chez Lando in Remera. Certainly much cheaper option but clean and comfotable nontheless.

Enjoy Rwanda. It is the safest and cleanest capital city in Africa.

Serena is quite far from the airport (at least 30 min). Depending what time you get to Kigali, you may want to snap a bed asap after you land at the airport. You could try quite a number of choices around Remera, Kacyiru, and/or Nyarutarama areas which are much closer to the airport.

If you would not mind paying for the Serena, you could try some boutique hotels. I heard that Select hotel (behind parliament) is quite nice, although I have never slept there. Also there is a new Gorilla hotel in Nyarutarama which seems quite nice. When my organization sends people, they usually put them at Chez Lando in Remera. Certainly much cheaper option but clean and comfotable nontheless.

Enjoy Rwanda. It is the safest and cleanest capital city in Africa.

Thanks! If you know of anyone specifically at a hotel close to the airport (or have a contact email), that would be great! Serena is too expensive and being on a 12-hour layover means I don't want to go too far from the airport.

Thanks! If you know of anyone specifically at a hotel close to the airport (or have a contact email), that would be great! Serena is too expensive and being on a 12-hour layover means I don't want to go too far from the airport.

I am so sorry I was busy and did not check this thread for a week. Hope it is not too late.

Probably closest acceptable hotel to the airport would be la Palisse Hotel
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293829-d1898115-Reviews-La_Palisse-Kigali_Kigali_Province.html

I have not slept there but used the facility for seminar several times and seems comfortable.

Another option I would recommend is Chez Lando Hotel in Remera,
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293829-d566222-Reviews-Hotel_Chez_Lando-Kigali_Kigali_Province.html

It should be about $100 a night to stay over there.

Also try your best to get your guide to get you Francoise, he's the best guide.

Respect please. Francois.