Okay, adventure logistics time: RwandAir actually moves dogs, and for a 22kg trail dog like Nala that's the headline that matters. Big dogs don't fold into a cabin bag, so an airline with a real hold option is what opens up a whole continent of trailheads. Nala has opinions about layovers, but she has zero objection to finally being on the manifest.

RwandAir's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.

How RwandAir handles your pet

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the hold / cargo Accepted

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-10-05
Hold: Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-10-05
Hold: Crate must have/bea carrierverified 2026-10-05
Cargo: Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-10-05
Cargo: Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-10-05
Cargo: Crate must have/beIATA-compliant, a carrierverified 2026-10-05

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yesverified 2026-10-05

Service & assistance animals

Fee waived Yesverified 2026-10-05
Recognized Yesverified 2026-10-05
So RwandAir earns a spot on the shortlist for anyone hauling a bigger dog into the region. Sam and I always time the crate acclimation and the customs window down to the minute; that prep is what makes hold travel calm instead of chaotic. Want it mapped out? Pawgo builds the plan around your route so you can think about the hike, not the paperwork.
Get YOUR personalized plan for RwandAir →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.