RwandAir’s upcoming direct service between Kigali and Zanzibar, launching on November 30, is prompting East African tour operators to roll out new multi-destination packages linking Rwanda’s gorilla trekking experiences with the Indian Ocean island.
RwandAir CEO Yvonne Makolo said the new route reflects the company’s focus on adaptability and growth. She noted that Mombasa and Zanzibar remain top priorities because of their strong tourism appeal and rising passenger demand.
Ally Manie, Group Sales Director at Amarembo Gorilla Lodge, said: “Kenya and Tanzania are well known for Big Five safaris – now, adding Rwanda to the mix, ‘Big Six’ – as people realise they can do gorilla or chimp trekking here then connect easily to the beach. Tourists want to experience different cultures and destinations and this route makes that possible.”
Manie, whose lodge is located near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, said the new route opens fresh opportunities for collaboration between Rwandan and coastal tour operators. “This is great for Rwanda. It allows us to sell combined packages – gorillas and the coast – and gives tourists a new reason to extend their stay in the region,” she added.
Operators eye new growth
For Rwandan tour operators, the flight marks a chance to expand business horizons. Salama Umuhoza, Founder of Salama Tours and Travel, said she is already working on new itineraries that combine Rwanda’s mountain gorillas with Zanzibar’s beach resorts. “We plan to start offering packages at the coast. We’re always looking for what increases our sales and helps us move forward,” she explained. “People love gorillas in Rwanda because it’s just a two-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park and now they can continue straight to the beach for a stress-free journey.”
Jackson Uwizeye, MD of Opportune Safaris, echoed the same optimism. “We were wondering when the airline would add this route. Before tourists had to connect through other countries but now they can move directly from Kigali to Zanzibar. It’s a game changer.”
Intensifying competition
RwandAir’s return to Mombasa and the addition of Zanzibar to its route network come at a time when competition in the coastal tourism sector is intensifying. Kenya Airways (KQ) and its subsidiary Jambojet already have a strong presence in the region. KQ operates numerous flights between Nairobi and Zanzibar, with frequencies reaching up to 13 per week, while Jambojet has increased its Mombasa-Zanzibar flights to six per week.
The competitive landscape also includes Precision Air and Air Tanzania, which link Tanzania’s key tourism destinations with the rest of East Africa. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines continues to serve Zanzibar through its Addis Ababa hub – expanding connectivity between East Africa and the wider world.
“This is exactly what the Open Skies policy was meant to achieve: greater regional integration through air connectivity,” said Umohoza.
