A private jet from Nairobi to Kigali takes about an hour and 25 minutes, and a King Air 350i turboprop just under two hours. It links two of East Africa’s busiest business and conference capitals, and it is also the first leg of many gorilla-trekking trips to Volcanoes National Park.
- Direct distance409 NM757 km great-circle
- Fastest in the air1h 24mEmbraer Phenom 300
- Estimates fromUS$ 7,800one-way, 4 passengers
- Aircraft that fit14types priced below
What a private jet from Nairobi to Kigali costs
Every aircraft below can fly NBO–KGL non-stop off the runways at both ends. Prices are computed live from aircraft performance, fuel burn, airport fees and the cost of positioning the aircraft to Nairobi — one-way, 4 passengers.
| Aircraft | Class | Seats | Flight time | Estimate, one-way | Exact price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Turboprop | 11 | 2h 50m | US$ 7,800 | |
| King Air 350i | Turboprop | 10 | 1h 49m | US$ 8,500 | |
| King Air C90GTx | Turboprop | 6 | 2h 03m | US$ 12,000 | |
| Pilatus PC-12 NG | Turboprop | 8 | 1h 59m | US$ 12,100 | |
| King Air 250 | Turboprop | 8 | 1h 54m | US$ 12,400 | |
| Beechcraft 1900D | Turboprop | 18 | 1h 58m | US$ 13,300 | |
| Citation Mustang | Light jet | 4 | 1h 39m | US$ 13,800 | |
| Citation CJ3+ | Light jet | 7 | 1h 28m | US$ 14,800 |
Airports on the Nairobi–Kigali route
| Airport | ICAO | IATA | Runway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jomo Kenyatta International AirportNairobi | HKJK |
NBO |
13,507 ft |
| Kigali International AirportKigali | HRYR |
KGL |
11,483 ft |
Compare every aircraft on this route →
*Computed estimate, not a quote. Figures move with aircraft availability, positioning and fuel. Single-engine piston aircraft are left out of route guides — the search tool still prices them if you want the absolute cheapest option. Estimates refresh twice daily.
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How long is the flight from Nairobi to Kigali?
The distance is about 410 nautical miles. Light and midsize jets such as the Phenom 300, Learjet 45 and Citation XLS+ take about an hour and 25 minutes. The King Air 350i and Pilatus PC-12 take just under two hours, and a single-engine Caravan nearly three.
Leaving Kenya, arriving in Rwanda
International flights leave from Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), where Kenyan exit formalities are completed, and passengers clear immigration and customs at Kigali International (KGL). Rwanda is one of the easier countries in Africa to enter: many African and Commonwealth passport holders need no visa, and most others can get one on arrival or online. Check the current rules for each passenger.
Two things that catch visitors out
Rwanda banned plastic bags years ago and customs takes it seriously, so pack without them.
And on the last Saturday of every month the country turns out for Umuganda, a morning of community work. Until late morning the roads are quiet, many businesses are shut and getting around can be restricted. If you land that morning, check that your car can meet you.
Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Most gorilla permits are for Volcanoes National Park near Musanze, roughly two and a half hours by road from Kigali. A helicopter transfer cuts that to well under an hour and can often be arranged alongside the charter. Akagera National Park, in the east, is a similar drive. Treks start early, so many visitors fly in the day before.
Jet or turboprop?
For up to eight passengers with normal bags, a King Air 350i is hard to beat on value. A light jet saves about 25 minutes and gives you a quieter cabin, which matters if you are flying in for a meeting the same morning. Large delegations can use a Beechcraft 1900D, which seats up to 18, or move up to a Challenger 605.
What moves the price
The aircraft type comes first, then where it is based. Aircraft at Jomo Kenyatta start where you do; those at Wilson position across town first, which adds a little. After that it comes down to whether the aircraft waits in Kigali or flies home empty. For a conference or a short trek, keeping it on the ground in Kigali is often the cheaper option, and the engine compares both.
Quotes are usually in US dollars. At about KSh 130 to the dollar in late October 2026, every US$1,000 is roughly KSh 130,000.
What to send for an accurate quote
Send the date and time, passenger names and nationalities, bags (and whether trekking gear is coming), your plans in Rwanda and your return date. Ask whether positioning, handling, parking, crew accommodation and any helicopter transfer are included.
Nairobi to Kigali private jet prices by group size and trip
The same route priced for different trips. Charter is sold by the aircraft, not the seat, so the cost per person falls as more people fly, and a return is often far cheaper than two one-ways.
| Passengers | Cheapest suitable aircraft | One-way | Per seat | Cheapest jet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX2h 50m in the air | US$7,800 | US$3,900 | US$13,800Citation Mustang |
| 4 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX2h 50m in the air | US$7,800 | US$1,950 | US$13,800Citation Mustang |
| 8 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX2h 50m in the air | US$7,800 | US$975 | US$15,900Embraer Phenom 300 |
| 12 | Beechcraft 1900D1h 58m in the air | US$13,300 | US$1,108 | — |
| Trip, 4 passengers | Cheapest suitable aircraft | Estimate | vs one-way |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | US$7,800 | — |
| Return, same day | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | US$10,800 | 1.4× |
| Return after 3 nights | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | US$14,300 | 1.8× |
How much is a private jet from Nairobi to Kigali for 8 passengers?
About US$7,800 one-way for the whole aircraft in a Cessna Grand Caravan EX (2h 50m in the air), or roughly US$975 per seat. For two passengers the cheapest option is US$7,800. These are live estimates including positioning, airport and navigation fees.
How much does a return private jet from Nairobi to Kigali cost?
For four passengers, a same-day return costs about US$10,800 in a Cessna Grand Caravan EX, 1.4 times the one-way estimate of US$7,800. Flying back after three nights costs about US$14,300; the engine compares keeping the aircraft and crew with you against two separate rotations and uses the cheaper. A one-way price already pays for the aircraft to fly home empty, which is why a return costs far less than two one-ways.
Estimates as of 30 October 2026: whole aircraft in US dollars, including positioning, airport and navigation fees; returns include crew overnight and standby costs or two rotations, whichever is cheaper. The operator confirms the final price. Compare every route in the Africa Private Jet Price Index.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private jet from Nairobi to Kigali?
How long is the private flight from Nairobi to Kigali?
Do I need a visa for Rwanda?
How do I get from Kigali to the gorillas?
Can I fly back to Nairobi the same day?
Flight times are planning figures, not a timetable. Prices in the tables are live estimates for the whole aircraft and refresh twice a day; the licensed operator confirms the final price, aircraft and terms.