Kigali to Kitwe flights
Kitwe lies 1,224 km (760 mi) south of Kigali, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 2 h 19 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Kigali | Kitwe | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Rwanda | Zambia |
| Population | 1.1 million | 665,961 |
| Elevation | 1,542 m (5,059 ft) | 1,224 m (4,016 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Kigali) | UTC+2 (Africa/Lusaka) |
| Nearest large airport | KGL, 9 km out | NLA, 37 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Kitwe
Crossing from Rwanda into Zambia: money changes from the Franc to the Kwacha (ZMW); traffic switches to the left; sockets are AC power s and sockets: British and related types, BS 1363, Euro; the dialling code becomes +260; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648868.
Airports at each end
Leaving Kigali
Kigali is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Kigali International Airport (KGL), 9 km (6 mi) from the centre, whose 11,483-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Goma International Airport (GOM, 97 km).
Arriving in Kitwe
Kitwe is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA), 37 km (23 mi) from the centre, whose 11,483-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport | NLA | 37 km (23 mi) | 11,483 ft | 4,308 ft |
Book a flight to Kitwe
Our airline partner is activating live fares for this site; the search below opens the moment that is done. Hotels can be booked now.
Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Kitwe
Our booking partner lists 32 places to stay in Kitwe. Of the 24 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (19). Guests have left 808 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Kitwe
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Kitwe from Kigali?
1,224 km (760 mi) in a straight line, south of Kigali.
How long does it take to get from Kigali to Kitwe by air?
About 2 h 19 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Kigali and Kitwe?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Kigali to Kitwe flights?
Typically Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA).
What currency do I need in Kitwe?
The Kwacha (ZMW).
Where can I stay in Kitwe?
Our booking partner lists 32 places to stay in Kitwe, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.