Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines in Goma
Planning a trip to visit Virunga but you would rather fly into Goma instead of the most used option of flying into Rwanda at the Kigali International airport? Ethiopian Airlines is here for you. Ethiopian Airlines is an international air courier operating flight all over the world the Democratic Republic of Congo inclusive. It flies to about 125 destinations all over the world. The airline offers both Economy and Business class options which means you get to choose according to the experience you are looking for. Ethiopian Airlines has been a member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) since 1959 and a Star Alliance member since December 2011.
Ethiopian Airlines lets her clients book their flights in advance online for more than one destination at an affordable rate. The airline also has an option for those guests who have used the airline before where you get to pay much less the more you use the airline so if you have your Ethiopian flight pass, you could opt to use your points to fly to Goma.
Ethiopian airline operates daily flights to Goma international airport which is 14 kilometers away from Virunga national park. The Goma international airport only accommodates 2 airlines that is Ethiopian Airlines and the Congo airways. The daily flights of Ethiopian airlines into Goma connect from Addis Ababa and also fly back to Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa Bole international airport is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines and all the flights the airline operates throughout the African continent. This airline is also the national airline of Ethiopia. They also have direct flights from Ethiopia to other continents like South America, North America, Asia, and Europe. The Addis Ababa airport hosts up to 450 flights flying in and departing out per day. The airline has other smaller hubs in Africa that is in Malawi and Togo.
Book your Ethiopian airline flight from Addis Ababa to Goma on a daily, however, please note to be allowed on this flight, you will have to have a few checks as a security protocol. If your reason of visit is to go to Virunga national park or any tourism reason in Goma, you will have to have a valid 14-day tourist visa that was issued to you by Virunga national park so as to be allowed aboard the aircraft to Goma. The tourist visa agreement was made between the Direction Generale de Migration (DGM) the Congolese immigration service and the Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la nature (ICCN) to assist those visiting the national parks and a subsidized rate of 105 USD per visa which is much cheaper than the extended full Congo visa that is 220 USD. This tourist visa is only issued to you after you buy a package to the park either from Virunga or a trusted tour operator. Please note, you can not get this visa on the day of travel and you will have to apply for it at least two weeks in advance. This process can be also handled by a trusted tour operator like Explore Rwanda tours. This tourist visa fee is non-refundable and the visas are electronic as they are sent on email once they have been approved.
Another thing to check is a valid yellow fever vaccine card with your name, date of birth and sex as you will be asked to present this card before you are allowed on the aircraft. Virunga National Park only acts as a mediator in helping one acquire a visa but the authority still entirely lies in the hands of the DGM that is based in Kinshasha. Ensure to have your copy printed out before you get to the airport to board the plane otherwise, you will be denied access and once you miss your flight and are late for your package, you will lose out on your package and there is 100% charge.
We, Explore Rwanda tours, look forward to hearing from you for any assistance for your visit to Virunga national park.
