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Kigali City | Rwanda & Tours
Kigali City Overview
Kigali is Rwanda’s capital and Gateway City for international arrivals. Its perfect location within the country’s geographic centre, makes it an ideal place to start or finish any Rwanda safari. Kigali city is highlighted by an endless, fascinating vista of rolling hills, a series of valleys, ridges and steep slopes.
Following Rwanda’s 1962 independence from Belgian rule, this primate city has been Rwanda’s economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became the capital. It’s clean, safe, and home to some great cultural and dining options. All international flights land here, and it’s where visitors often choose to overnight on arrival.
With a history of civil war and genocide that caused the loss of innocent lives and property, Kigali has transformed over the years into a model of urban development and a fascinating example of a future-focused African city.
Kigali grew slowly during the following decades after the genocide, with the service sector being the largest contributor to its gross domestic product but also a significant proportion of the population works in agriculture, including small-scale subsistence farming.
The priority for city authorities is attracting international visitors which led to the construction of the new and ultramodern Kigali Convention Centre. Many new hotels have also been built which usher in a wave of leisure tourism, international conferences, and exhibitions.
Generally, it is safe to walk through the city’s broad, tree-lined boulevards and immaculate squares. Visitors are typically left to their own devices until they require assistance, in which case they will be met with cordial hospitality.
The track around Nyarutarama Lake, or Lover’s Lake, which borders an 18-hole golf course, is remarkably peaceful and makes for an excellent urban nature walk. Visitors have the opportunity to see some of Rwanda’s incredible birds.
A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is the climax of a typical Rwanda safari, where the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994 is honoured through education and peace building. The three permanent exhibitions and memorial gardens contribute to a meaningful tribute to the deceased and serve as an effective educational tool for visitors.
Attractions in Kigali
1. Kigali Genocide Memorial
The 1994 Rwanda genocide against the Tutsi, an ethnic group, saw an estimated 1 million people killed in 100 days. As such, Rwandans are committed to fighting against the ideology of genocide and a repeat of the same. The memorials found throughout the country are moving testimonies in memory of the killings and the victims who perished in cold blood.
The terraced series of mass graves at Gisozi, inaugurated in 2004, is the final resting place for an estimated 250,000 victims of the genocide. An educational exhibition within the facility takes visitors through the historical events leading up to the ruthless mass killings and the global community’s faltering response.
This memorial also serves to educate about how the genocide took shape and examines the killings in the 20th century. A display of skulls, bones, and personal effects symbolizes the tragedy. The second section examines humanity’s capacity for brutality with examples of genocides from around the world.
The exhibition concludes with larger black-and-white photographs of 8-month-old to 17-year-old victims of child genocide. Each picture is accompanied by a placard listing the child’s favourite foods and activities and his or her final moments. Although there is no entrance fee, donations are encouraged. The audio guide costs $15.
2. Kigali Cultural Village
This traditional market space allows local artisans and food vendors to exhibit and trade their goods and also host cultural events, workshops, festivals, and music.
3. Rwanda Art Museum
Formerly the Presidential Palace Museum, this new museum on the eastern outskirts of the city displays contemporary artworks from Rwanda as well as abroad. It seeks to provide an insight into the originality of Rwandan creativity.
The residence of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana provides an intimate look at the individuals and settings that contributed to the 1994 genocide. The ‘secret’ rooms and an odd presidential nightclub featured in them are interesting to explore. The original furnishings and carpet are still intact in the sunroom, where the president’s wife and her notorious group, the Akuzu, masterminded the tragedy.
The flight debris from the presidential jet that went down on April 6, 1994, remains in situ in the garden wall, and this will remain a heritage site. The president’s assassination is said to have sparked the killing spree, yet the perpetrators were never caught. The entire tour lasts one hour and costs US$12.
4.Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum displays Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Seven galleries of the museum showcase historical, anthropological, artistic, and archaeological artifacts with accompanying visual aids, providing visitors with a thorough understanding of Rwandan culture.
5.Around Kigali
The main roads are generally good, but travel is much slower in contrast to European or American roads. Some drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can make driving a stressful experience, which is typical of an African city, and Kigali is no different.
Professionally run taxis are marked and metered, though they are generally the most expensive option. An airport transfer to town can run upward of $15. There are also unmarked private taxis available, but be ready to negotiate the fare in advance. You may choose to hire a car for about US$70 per day if you plan to stay in Kigali for some time.
Where to eat in Kigali
1. Kigali Serena Hotel
It is well-located near the business district and offers guests the chance to relax in style with its large swimming pool and dining facilities indoors and outdoors.
2. Heaven
It is a contemporary boutique hotel located on a peaceful residential road near the city centre. Guests can relax at the spa, saltwater pool, and fitness centre or dine at the popular restaurant. It features a wooden deck with a thatched roof and recessed lighting that affords breathtaking views of the hillside, and the art from the adjoining gallery bedecks the brick walls.
3. Poivre Noir
This cozy and peaceful setting in Kimihurura, one of Kigali’s neighbourhoods popular for its restaurants and nightlife, is a pleasant break from the city. Poivre Noir masterfully prepares some of Kigali’s best meals with a French and Belgian flair. It is renowned for its upscale cuisine and intimate setting.
4. Repub Lounge
This hilltop African fusion restaurant has been in business for more than a decade, a remarkable triumph in this city, and is Kigali’s finicky social scene’s final mainstay. Europeans, Americans, Asians, and Kigali’s elite flock to this brother-and-sister-run Repub Lounge for happy hour, late-night drinks, and a belt-loosening menu.
5. Kiseki
Although Kigali does not have many sushi options for dining, Kiseki is definitely the city’s ultimate satisfaction. Located in Kigali’s Kimihurura neighborhood, Kiseki makes inventive rolls, cuts perfectly sliced nigiri, and even supplies sushi burritos during the lunchtime rush.
6. Turambe Shoppe
The fresh salad and sandwich options at Turambe Shoppe are ideal for vegetarians or healthy food fans. Guests can pick from roasted garlic hummus, the delectable Asian chopped salad, or crunch on Turambe’s organic lettuce.
7. CasaKeza
This stylish tapas restaurant features thoughtful interior design, a lovely garden space, and excellent small bites. Guests can try out the eggplant fries drizzled in cane honey and house salad from their colourful and well-tended garden and stay for their various events, Spanish classes, and themed foodie nights.
8. Filini
Guests at Filini will find a well-decorated dining room and deck inside the Radisson Blu hotel, close to the Kigali Convention Centre. Besides, the restaurant prepares some of the city’s best Italian cuisine. Guests can try the pizzas, gnocchi, and fresh salads; everything at Filini is prepared with high-quality ingredients.
9. Monmartse
Monmartse prepares the city’s best Korean food, such as perfectly cooked bibimbap, soups, and banchan (small, mostly vegetable-focused side dishes). Take advantage of their large quantities, tables, and delectable Korean barbecue by going with a large group.
Ready for an adventure?
These safaris are meant to give you a clue as to how different destinations and experiences work together. You can plan an exciting trip by combining a Kigali city excursion with other places to fulfill your dream African adventure.
