A service to the Rwandan capital Kigali will start on May 26. RwandAir, the country’s flag carrier, will operate it three times a week.

Rwanda sits to the south of Uganda and its mountainous landscape is home to gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates. Since the ending of a genocidal regime in the 1990s, the country has made major leaps in economic and social progress and the new flight will be of interest to specialist Africa tour operators.

The government-backed airline will use a brand new Airbus A330 on the Gatwick route, offering business and premium economy seating as well as the main cabin.

"We are delighted to enable new and seamless connections between London and the whole of our network offering our esteemed customers a differentiated product in terms of comfort, good customer services and affordability", said John Mirenge, RwandAir chief executive.

London will be RwandAir’s 22nd destination. RwandAir has already announced flights to Mumbai and Harare to commence in the first week of April. The airline, which is an IATA member, has a fleet of 11 aircraft and also plans flights to New York and China.