Kigali City
Kigali City the capital of Rwanda is the quietest, safest and cleanest city with a well-maintained infrastructure system. It is Africa’s most beautiful city, with trees lined up on all roads and streets, beautifully designed roads and well-organised buildings, making it a great scene to any visitor. Kigali City is made up of 3 districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge. Kigali city won the UN habitat scroll of honour award in 2008 because of its innovative buildings, modern city with plastics, substantial reduction in crime and improved garbage collection. Kigali, being in the heart of Rwanda, provides visitors with several attractions and a number of activities they can engage in.
Kigali genocide memorial, this is a memory centre that was built in honour of the victims who were slaughtered during the genocide in 1994. The memorial centre is a resting place of about 250,000 of the million-plus Tutsis who were killed. It acts as a mourning site and a centre of learning where the guides explain how the genocide happened, has photos of the victims, room dedicated to the children, images of children that were slaughtered, audio recordings, video footages among others where visitors learn about the tragedy, history of Rwanda and also gives them a reminder of the victims that died.
Presidential palace museum/ State House, this is an interesting place that used to house the former presidents of Rwanda namely Juvenal Habyarimana and Pasteur Bizimungu until the plane that was carrying president Juvenal and Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira who were both Hutu was shot down in 1994 with surface to air missiles as it prepared to land at the palace grounds. While at the State House Museum you will be able to visit the flights’ debris that is believed to because of the genocide. The museum also acts as a learning centre of Rwandan history.
Kandt museum of natural history, this is the best museum in Kigali which was built to document the beauty of Rwanda, animals, birds, volcanoes, mineral riches among others. the monument is comprised of 3 main parts, for example, the first part presents the Rwandan life of social, economic and political lifestyle before the colonial period, the second part exposes the experiences of Rwandan people during the colonial period in that the Germans ruled Rwanda until 1916 when the Belgians took over after world war 1 . In this sector, Richard Kandt’s deeds and life is shared during his stay in Rwanda and the third part shows the history of Kigali before, during and after the colonial period when Kigali was made the capital city in 1962. The museum provides you with information and knowledge about Rwanda’s history and culture.
Inema arts centre, this is located in Kigali city and was opened in 2012 by two brothers’ innocent Nkurunziza and Emmanuel Mkuranga. It’s an interesting art centre to visit in that it presents African sculptures and paintings, organises yoga classes for the visitors, concerts, art exhibitions and workshops, training classes, traditional dance performances. Visitors who visit the place can as well purchase artworks from the galley, leatherwork, jewellery among others hence making their tour rewarding.
Nyamirambo tour, Nyamirambo tour is done in Kigali city and takes you to where the Muslims in Kigali live and worship, the Nyamirambo women’s centre which is found in Kigali suburb and was opened in 2007 by the local Rwandan women who were the victims of gender violence. The women’s centre helps to fight gender-based violence, organises computer literacy classes, English language trainings, provides modern sewing machines to women for tailoring where they will make Rwanda clothes. The women’s centre created walking tours to the neighbouring villages where the visitors visit the local markets, local homesteads, hair saloons among others hence gaining great experience about the Rwanda culture.
Visit to the Local markets, Kigali city has several markets where visitors on a tour in Kigali can explore the local markets such as Nyamirambo market, Kimiromko market which is the largest and most popular local market in the city. During the local market visit, you will be able to learn more about the culture of Rwanda, their food staffs, fruits, vegetables, electronics, clothes, fabrics, baskets, souvenirs, craft shops among others hence giving you an opportunity to interact with the local people in Rwanda and learning about their lifestyles, culture and offers great shopping experience.
Kigali public library, the public library in Kigali is designed in a unique and beautiful design and it acts as a collection of electronic and physical books and holds workshops. Visitors in the library are given free asses to the computers, Internet, watch documentaries on the projector among others and in case they want to buy a book, it can be purchased from the Ikirezi bookshop.
Kigali convention centre, this is located in the heart of Kigali, adjacent to Radisson blue hotel. The convention centre has a beautiful and unique architecture of a beehive with beautiful lights that look amazing during the night hence believed to have been inspired by the Kings’ palace in Nyanza. The convention centre was built purposely for conventions, multi-day meetings, events among others. The convention centre consists of a cafe where visitors go to enjoy Rwandan coffee, restaurant, space for functions among others.
Gaddafi mosque, this is located in Nyamirambo and was name after President Gaddafi in recognition of the road that passes close to the mosque. Gaddafi mosque is an Islamic cultural centre with a beautiful and eye-catching structure and consists of a school and clinic infrastructures for Nyamirambo people.
Climbing Mount Kigali, Mount Kigali is the highest hill in Kigali city standing on 6000 feet and is the best destination for adventurous visitors. Hiking on this hill starts from Nyamirambo near Sun City Hotel. Mount Kigali consists of gentle slopes hence favouring the lazy climbers and on top, it offers beautiful views of Kigali city, great photos, offers horse riding from Fazenda Sangha horse ranch platform where you ride through the countryside and around Mount Kigali hence rewarding your tour with great experiences while in Kigali city.
Hotel des Mille Collines, this is a beautiful lodge in Kigali city which became famous because it was used as a basis of the Hollywood film called Hotel Rwanda in 2004 which followed the story of the Hutu manager Paul Rusesabagina who gave shelter to hundreds of Tutsi. The hotel also became famous because it is where more than 1000 refuges stayed during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The hotel had a secret room where the refuges were staying as it was providing meals such as beans, rice and water. There was a doctor and a nurse for treating and helping the women to deliver plus the priest who conducted marriage ceremonies and masses in the conference room. The hotel attracts many visitors who come to tour Kigali city due to its fascinating history as they visit the swimming pool, restaurant, fitness centre among others because the hotel doesn’t have any visible attraction to display for the role played during the genocide hence it doesn’t allow tours.
Accommodation in Kigali city
Kigali city is blessed with a number of beautiful luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation facilities and restaurants such as Radisson Blu hotel and conservation centre, Kigali Marriot hotel, the retreat, Kigali serena hotel, park inn by Radisson Kigali, Ubumwe grande hotel, grand legacy hotel, Hotel des mille collines, Lemigo hotel, 200 hotel downtown Kigali, Elevate suites, Haven restaurant and boutique hotel, Hotel Chez Lando, five to five hotel, urban by City blue Kigali, legend boutique hotel, good news guest house, Yambi guesthouse among others which prepare both local and international dishes, privacy, comfortable shelter, cool and pleasant environment for visitors to chill out and relax during their tour in Rwanda.
Best time to visit Kigali city
Kigali city can be visited throughout the year with the best time being the dry season during the months of June to mid-September when there is less rain fall received than during the rainy season in the months of March to May.
From its beautiful scenery, beautiful and friendly people, to the tranquil weather, rich culture and history. Kigali city has overcome the shadow of the genocide, to become a major tourism destination, which is still growing its tourism potential, by putting in place world class hotels, attractions like Mount Kigali, historical monuments among other necessities and ensuring that the tourists get value for money and unforgettable moments during their tour in Kigali city, Rwanda.
