North Kivu and Kigali
Butembo, with about 286,000 inhabitants, is the largest city of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the province's cities include Butembo, Beni and Goma.
Private villas · Kigali
North Kivu to Kigali: exclusive estates
From North Kivu, most travellers connect through Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Cairo; your concierge plans the connection. Free 90-day visa on arrival.
4 private villassleeps 4-8from $200/nightairport pickup at any hour
No deposit, pay on arrival · Airport pickup at any hour · The concierge replies on WhatsApp
At a glance
Getting to Kigali from North Kivu
For North Kivu, the reference point is Butembo, its largest city.
Butembo and Kigali are about 248 km apart in a straight line. Clocks in Butembo and Kigali show the same time.
Goma International Airport (GOM) is the international airport of North Kivu.
From Butembo, most travellers connect through Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) or Cairo (EgyptAir); your concierge plans the connection.
Entry for citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
What counts is the passport: citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo travelling from North Kivu follow the rule that applies to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Citizens of this country receive a 90-day visa free of charge on arrival. As a member of the East African Community, the African Union and La Francophonie, the Democratic Republic of the Congo benefits from Rwanda's rules for those groups. The official source is Rwanda's Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration; apply online on Irembo if you need a visa before travelling.
Money and payment
You will be travelling from the Congolese franc (CDF) to a stay quoted in US dollars; payment is accepted in USD, RWF, mobile money or crypto. Payment details come only from the concierge, after your dates are confirmed.
Cash is also accepted on arrival at the villa, in US dollars or Rwandan francs, with a written receipt from the concierge.
Arrival
Whatever time you land, a private pickup can be waiting; The Black Key Arrival includes it at Amahoro and Urugwiro for three nights or more.
- North Kivu is a province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Butembo, Beni and Goma are cities of North Kivu.
- Butembo, the largest city of North Kivu, has about 286,000 inhabitants (GeoNames).
- Butembo is about 248 km from Kigali as the crow flies.
- Butembo keeps the same time as Kigali.
- From Butembo, most travellers connect through Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) or Cairo (EgyptAir); your concierge plans the connection.
- The international airport of North Kivu is Goma International Airport (GOM).
- Citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo get a free 90-day visa on arrival.
- The currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the Congolese franc (CDF).
The villas
From Ikaze's two suites for four guests to Amahoro's and Urugwiro's four bedrooms for eight, each villa is booked to one group. Every house is gated, private and looked after daily. Looking for a luxury villa in Kigali? Each of our villas is that, and more: private, gated and serviced daily.
“All in all the staff was extremely accommodating to our needs and has daily house cleaning.”
“It felt like a perfect blend of elegance, comfort, and privacy.”
From first message to arrival
Tell us your plans
Your dates and your group, on a villa page or in one WhatsApp message.
Nkeng confirms
Availability and a quote for your dates, usually within a few hours.
Confirm and travel
Terms in writing. No deposit, and payment can be made on arrival.
Questions (FAQ)
What is the easiest way to reach Kigali from North Kivu?
We do not list a direct flight. From Butembo, most travellers connect through Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) or Cairo (EgyptAir); your concierge plans the connection.
Is a visa required from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
On arrival, at no cost, for up to 90 days.
Can we pay for the villa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Yes. Stays are quoted in US dollars and can be paid in USD, in Rwandan francs, by MTN MoMo or Airtel Money, or in crypto; the concierge sends the details once your dates are confirmed.
How long is the drive from Kigali International Airport?
By private car: Amahoro, Urugwiro and Irebero are about 20 minutes away, Ikaze about 15 by car. The concierge arranges the pickup at any hour.
Is there room for a bigger family?
Each villa sleeps up to eight, depending on the villa, and three of the four villas have a bedroom without stairs. Larger families take several villas.
Villas and features for travellers from North Kivu
Keep exploring
Airport pickup at any hourThe Black Key ArrivalWhere to stay in Kigali →Gorilla trekking from Kigali →
Popular with travellers from Democratic Republic of the Congo
Services your concierge can arrange
Where the facts come from
Tell Nkeng your dates
One message is enough: your dates, your group and what matters most. We reply with availability and a quote, usually within a few hours.