Places to visit on a Kigali city tour
Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city and main commercial center with most of the important offices in the country. Kigali is also one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa. The city is geographically located in the center of the country with a coverage of approximately 730 square kilometers characterised by rolling hills and valleys thus the appellation “The Land of a Thousand Hills”. Kigali is a captivating city with one of the best transport systems in Africa.
A tour around the city center will lead to impressive 5-star hotels, high-end restaurants, bars, bakeries, artisan shops, and nightclubs. Because of the modern structures, clean streets, safety, and good governance, Kigali has always been chosen to host many important international conferences.
Rwanda is a country that was torn apart by the 1994 genocide but is currently with a new government under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, many investors and tourists flock to the country due to the prevailing peace, security, and excellent organization.
The Kigali city tour leads you to different interesting places including genocide memorial grounds, hotels, bars, art galleries, museums, and many others as detailed below.
Kigali Genocide Memorial site:
It is a genocide memorial site in Kigali city is where over 250,000 people are said to have been buried after the 1994 genocide of the Hutu against the Tutsi. The site was established in 1999, four years after the brutal experience. the memorial was officially opened to visitors in 2004 and is currently managed by the Aegis Trust and Kigali City Council.
When you visit this memorial site you will see, feel, and wonder about the horrifying situation in which innocent individuals were mercilessly slaughtered leaving the country in shocking and traumatized situations. Kigali Genocide Memorial is divided into 3 sections. The first section displays the documents explaining the history of Rwanda, a detailed plan of the genocide, and how it started. It has photos of many individuals who were killed in the genocide and some of the tools that were being used to kill the people.
The second session is dedicated to the hundreds of children who lost their lives during the genocide. This session has records of children, their photos, names, their favourite food, toys, their last words, and how they were killed. The third session displays detailed information about genocides from all around the world.
At the back of the exhibition hall are mass graves where the bodies and remains of the genocide victims are. The bodies buried in this place were collected from the road streets and river banks . they were buried respectfully, and the surviving relatives always come to pay tribute and commemorate the lives of their relatives and loved ones.
The memorial site has a large amphitheatre where visitors sit and listen to testimonials from survivors and learn how to welcome peace and reconciliation for progress and development.
There are also other genocide memorial sites in the country including the Nyamata memorial site, Murambi memorial site, Ntarama memorial site, Bisesero memorial site, Nyanza memorial site, Nyarubuye memorial site, and many others in different districts in the country.
Rwanda Art Museum
This is a must-see destination for everyone on the Kigali city tour. The museum is located a few kilometers from the city center and was opened in 2006 for the presentation of the best artwork that reflects Rwandan culture and tradition. The museum is housed in a monumental colonial building and is one of the most attractive museums in Africa. At the museum, expect to find a collection of art reflecting Rwanda’s history as far back as the 1800s.
When you spare some time and visit the museum, you will learn that it is one of the county’s greatest treasures. You are likely to spend one and a half hours collecting information, learning the history of the museum and observing the displayed materials. It is always recommended to have a guided tour inside the museum for you to have detailed information about the place.
The museum hosts all groups of people regardless of age. Students are offered simple lessons introducing them to Rwandan culture and adults interested in learning are given the basics of painting and drawing. This provides a great opportunity for innovativeness and creativity. It is also a place where you can meet and make new friends with other guests. Apart from art exhibitions, the museum also offers live music performances and film screenings.
Besides the educational section, the museum has a restaurant where delicious meals are prepared and served by hospitable staff. There is a cafe where you can buy some snacks and fresh fruit juice.
The entrance fee to the museum is 6000RWF for non-residents and 5000RWF for residents.
Apart from the Rwanda Art Museum, there are other museums in the country such as, Kandt House Museum in Kigali, Campaign against Genocide Museum in Kigali, Kings Palace Museum in Nyanza, Museum of Environment in Kibuye, Kwigira Museum Nyanza, Museum Ingabo in Kigali, Ethnographic Museum in Butare and all the Genocide Memorial sites have museums. Visit any of the above museums for the best art exhibitions and history of Rwanda.
Kimironko market
This is one of the most interesting places that you should never miss on a Rwanda safari. Kimironko Market is one of the busiest markets in Kigali where many locals come to purchase different goods including food,fruits, vegetables, clothes shoes, and other human needs. Vendors in this market always sell goods from within Rwanda and neighbouring countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The market has 4 different entry points so you should be careful as you move because you may lose your way as it is very wide.
At the back of the market is the Kimironko bus station, the official entrance to the market, where household goods and plastic buckets of various shapes and sizes are sold. The colourful kitenge fabric is sold through the market’s right entrance, while the butchers and fishermen sell meat and lake fish through the market’s left entrance. An additional entrance leads directly to the market’s seamstresses and second-hand clothes. The busiest time of the day is the early afternoon when most people display their goods for sale. Mondays and Saturdays are always the busiest days while Sundays are somehow dull as many sellers take an off day.
in this busy market find well-arranged stalls of fruits and vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, mangoes, oranges, passion fruit, and melons among others. When you take a visit to the market, don’t be worried, be free to bargain, goods are negotiable.
Mount Kigali
Mount Kigali is an amazing attraction that one should not miss on a Kigali city tour. It’s one of the most eye-catching landmarks in the country. Kigali city lies between Mount Kigali and Mount Jali. The top of the mountain gives you the best views of the city and it’s from this mountain that the city got its name. Hiking Mount Kigali is not so strenuous that it can be done by an infant of 12 years. It’s only a day’s hike.
Hiking this mountain begins in Nyamirambo district and proceeds through other communities. The route from Nyamirambo women’s center takes you to Kigali Stadium. places near the stadium are a bit busy with different businesses and restaurants where you can rest before you continue with the hike.
The mountain has other interesting activities to offer besides hiking, at the top is the Fazenda Sengha horse riding school where tourists can learn to ride or feed the horses if they have enough time.
For those who do not wish to summit the mountain on foot, biking adventures are also available. Biking is also done through defined routes for tourists to have the best adventure.
When you decide to just walk uphill there are many chances to interact with the locals, enjoy their company, and stories, and share meals and conversations in their local hubs.
At the summit, enjoy the comprehensible views of Kigali city and the surrounding areas. It’s amazing. As you descend, you can see the nearby towns of Gisozi, Gisenyi, and Nyabugogo.
Hiking Mount Kigali takes 4-6 hours to ascend and descend without involving in other activities.
Hotel Des Mille Collines
This is a precious 4-star hotel located in the central business district offering breathtaking views of Kigali City. The name “Hotel des Mille Collines” refers to the “hotel of a thousand hills”. It was established in 1973 and acted as a secret place for almost 2000 people during the 1994 genocide. It is located 6 kilometers from the airport.
This well-appointed hotel has spacious gardens, 112 rooms and suites across five categories, a lounge, two restaurants, a bar, conference facilities and a swimming pool.
At the entry-level is a classic room with twin beds, bedside cupboards and lighting, a front desk space, a large flat-screen television and a separate sitting area. Other impressive facilities include air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The incorporated washrooms contain a flush toilet, a wash basin, and a bathtub. Some rooms in this category have a private balcony that offers amazing views over Kigali. Other room options comprise Classic Room Garden View and Classic Room Panorama View. Step up a level and there’s the Junior Suite, with a lounge, a tea-and-coffee station, a mini-bar and a private balcony. Finally, the Superior Suite has an additional dining area. All options are clean and comfortable, with charming wood furnishings and modern decor.
It is a home away from home with the best life experiences like Friday and Saturday evening live jazz, romantic meals, snacks, and all drinks in the most wonderful atmosphere.
Amahoro Stadium
This is one of the best sports grounds in Rwanda. It is a multi-purpose stadium located in Remera Sports hub, Gisibo district of Kigali, Rwanda. Amahoro Stadium was constructed between 1984 and 1989 as a symbol of patriotism. In 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War, the stadium acted as the headquarters of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda and acted as a good hide out for many Tutsis during the Genocide.
The stadium underwent renovation for two years and was opened and was officially opened on 4th July 2024. The venue has been upgraded from occupancy of 25.000 to 45,508 people and has the capacity to host international football matches, concerts and public events. The stadium has football and rugby pitches with international dimensions, an athletics track, and a large packing space.
The new setup of the stadium employs a large percentage of the local population as many people have set up many businesses such as shops, bars, and restaurants. The stadium is a prime area that is worth a visit.
Convention center
The Convention Centre is a multi-functional facility that hosts major exhibitions, conferences, summits, sports, and social occasions.
Located five kilometers from Kigali International Airport and the same distance from downtown Kigali, the convention center is the host of the Radisson Blu Hotel which is built on 136,000 square meters with a high-end hotel with 292 rooms. The rooms are thoroughly modern, spacious, and designed to provide superior levels of comfort. The hotel offers Junior and diplomatic suites, standard and business classrooms, and a perfect royal suite.
The Convention Center was opened in 2016, and its exterior appearance is a true manifestation of a Rwandan homestead: the domed shaped Auditorium represents a hut in the King’s palace and accommodates over 2600 guests. The architectural front view of the hotel has a reflection of a colourfully woven basket. The facility has perfectly installed, high-speed internet, and world-class audio-visual equipment in all the meeting rooms. The Convention Center is seated on a 32,200 m2 floor and hosts more than 5000 delegates at a time and contains facilities for leisure, business, and events. More at the facility is a clinic, ATM, and business center.
From the time it was opened on 8th July 2016, it has provided wonderful hostages to both international and regional conferences and exhibitions like Transform Africa Summit, and Next Ein Stein Forum among others. In 2017 it was voted Africa’s leading Conference Centre.
On your Kigali city tour don’t hesitate to visit the Convention Centre and Radisson Blu Hotel to enjoy an ideal environment that was set up according to the latest sustainable considerations that provide extra comfort.
Nyamirambo Women’s Center
It is a women-founded organization that was started in 2007 in Nyamirambo, Kigali. The organization is a collective initiative that was started to fight gender-based violence, inequality, and prejudice. The group was started by 18 Rwandan women with 3 major goals, including, Strengthening Nyamirambo Women’s Center Institution and collaboration, Promoting and empowering women through capacity development and employment, and Promoting women and community-based tourism.
When you visit the women’s center, you will learn that the center provides free workshops and special training to women like learning different languages, computer skills, handcrafts, and sewing through the “Umutima” product line as a way of creating a responsible and developed community.
Nyamirambo Women’s Center provides other activities that are done outside their premises such as walking tours where visitors get a chance to walk with a woman guide from the group to the neighboring community and get to interact with the local natives. At times visitors participate in the cooking classes with the local women and at the end of it all, eat the delicious meal together with the group members. A visit to this women’s center is a true immersion into Rwandan culture.
Caplaki Craft Village:
This is a craft center that was formed as an association of over ten-stall owners who had a similar business in one area. The shopping village is combined, though each shop is independent. In this place, you will find all sorts of Rwandese handicrafts and others from neighbouring countries like Uganda, Congo, and Kenya. some of them include baskets, Jewellery, bags, home decorations, and painted carvings among others all decorated in different attractive colours.
When you visit the shopping village, you will embrace true Rwandan culture through art. It is one of the best places to buy souvenirs as a remembrance for your Rwanda safari or gifts for relatives and friends.
Other craft centers that can be visited on the Kigali city tour include Niyo Arts Gallery, Kigali Craft Studio, Kraft Art Center, Inema Arts Center, Agaseke Craft Center, and market places among others.
Coffee Tours in Rwanda
Having a coffee tour r in Rwanda is one of the best experiences that brings you closer to the locals and provides more education and adventure. Rwanda is one of the leading coffee producers in Africa. The high quality of the coffee produced in Rwanda has led to an increased number of tourists who love to explore and have a taste of Rwandan coffee. Coffee tours can be carried out as full-day activities or half day or even just to make a stopover at an eatery and request for a cup of coffee. Tourists interested in deeper insight into coffee must visit one of the many coffee plantations or distributors to have a core knowledge of how coffee is processed. Most of the coffee plantations are found in the places around Lake Kivu say Gisenyi, Kayove, Cyebumba, Rugamba, Nkora, Nshangi, Karongi, and parts of Nyamirundi Island. For the best experience, organize your Rwanda coffee tour through a tour operator like Active Africa Vacations.
A Kigali city tour can be combined with a visit to the Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, Akagera National Park to see the big five animals in the wilderness, and Nyungwe National Park, home to chimpanzees and other wild creatures not forgetting relaxation along the shores of Lake Kivu.
The rapidly changing appearance of Kigali city in Rwanda is due to the numerous visitors and investors who are attracted to what has been showered as one of the friendliest and safest cities in Africa. So, don’t miss a full cultural, historical and modern exploration of “the Land of a Thousand Hills”