Just trying to think through some frequent flier plans and thought perhaps we could use some to possibly get to Rwanda for a trip next week. For those who have been, can you tell me how you got there from the US or Europe? Major carriers??? thanks.

I used miles to get me as far as Nairobi, and then bought ticket Uganda/Rwanda. But, that was before Kenya Airways joined SkyTeam, so I would now try to use my Delta miles into Kigali.

The other two carriers to Kigali are Brussels Airlines and Ethiopian airlines -- but I don't know who they link up with.

There are plenty of options, though, into NBO.

Ethiopian is Star Alliance - they have a codeshare with LH.
I don't know whether Emirates is still going to Entebbe.
KLM does. I would also assume BA does.

BTW - NEXT WEEK?
Before you think of flying and gorilla trekking is a must I would definetely check availability of the permits.
That can be done with www.wildplacesafrica.com or http://www.governorscamp.com or http://www.wildfrontiers.com/ and http://www.volcanoessafaris.com/
http://www.abercrombiekent.com/searc...ondary_content.

Despite (I got 4 permits - for 2 days/2 pax for travel of 4 weeks later) the credit crunch you might be lucky to get what you want. But 1 week is quite ambitious!



Good look.

SV

thanks thit_cho and SV. i meant next August (2010!!!), but clearly my mind thinks I should go on vacation to see the gorillas next week

Aha - August 2010 sound good - still in the "dry" period!
You might calculate that both - rwanda and uganda - are most probably going to raise the permits to 1000US$ each! So doing it in 2009 won't be a bad idea at all ;-)

A friend took the KLM connection from Germany via AMS to Entebbe. KLM does code share with Northwest (or similar American airline) so whether you write from Europe or US it should be easy!

IF you decide on Uganda you might think of visiting Ngamba Island as well (Chimps there which were confictated from private households or from the bushmeat traffic). There you can do a forest walk with them if you stay in their tented camp for a night. Permit is 400US$/pppn and one has to get a ,ot of vaccinations and a X-ray. It's worth the effort.
Also a combo of Rwanda and Unganda is rewarding............

so many options...........

Have fun planning!

SV

American Airlines is partners with Brussels Air. Next week we are flying from SFO to Kigali, Rwanda via Brussels and then home from Nairobi on British Air via London then AA through JFK. All for only 75,000 miles apiece. Not bad.