Gatwick recently welcomed the touchdown of the first direct flight between Rwanda and the UK.

The route is served by a new Airbus A330-200 and flights depart Gatwick on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with a flight time of 8 hours 40 minutes.

Passengers travelling on the new service in business class will be able to take advantage of fully-flat beds and overnight flights.

Yvonne Makolo, deputy CEO of RwandAir, said: “We are very proud to launch this important direct flight between the UK and Rwanda. British travellers are among the top five nationalities to visit Rwanda and this service will allow even easier access to the many natural wonders and unique experiences available throughout our beautiful country. This new route will also improve already strong trade links between the UK and Rwanda creating new long-lasting business opportunities.”

Stephen King, head of airline relations, Gatwick Airport, said: “I am delighted to welcome RwandAir to Gatwick and look forward to what I am sure will be a very popular service. Rwanda is rapidly becoming a top leisure destination for those looking to experience the adventure of a lifetime in the Heart of Africa, while business passengers can use the new service to forge stronger links between our two countries.

“This exciting new route demonstrates just how far Gatwick’s long haul network has grown in recent years. We now offer well over 50 long haul routes across the globe – a claim few other international airports can make.”

Rwanda welcomed 1.3 million visitors in 2016 attracted by the scenery, opportunities to visit mountain gorillas and big game safari. The recent arrival of black rhino in the country means that the country is now offering one of the most comprehensive safari experiences anywhere on the African continent.

Thanks to the new route, nature lovers can access Rwanda’s ecosystems in its three national parks more easily than ever before. Volcanoes National Park, along the Congolese border, is famed for its mountain gorillas but also home to the endangered golden monkey. In the east of the country, the Akagera National Park is home to all of Africa’s most famed game animals with the new black rhino arrivals in addition to elephant, African buffalo, leopard and lion.

Back in the city, the newly-opened Kigali Convention Centre is driving the transformation of the capital into a hub for meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions.

RwandAir flights from London Gatwick to Kigali start at £368 in Economy and £1,420 in Business including all taxes and surcharges.