The City of Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and it is located at Rwanda’s geographical heart. The City of Kigali has rapidly grown in a modern city in the last decade and it has not only become Rwanda’s most important business center but also the main port of entry.
The City of Kigali which started in 1907 is one of the safest and friendliest of African capitals. It is blessed with a moderate-high altitude climate that belies its tropical location and is conveniently located within three hours’ drive of the main tourist sites. The Rwandan capital provides both a comfortable and welcoming introduction to this land of a thousand hills and an ideal springboard from which to explore this magical country.
The City of Kigali is made up of three districts namely Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge. It is presently inhabited by approximately 1.2 million inhabitants. Kigali is 70% rural with a population that is relatively young- the youth make up about 60% and women make up slightly more the 50%.
In 2008 the City of Kigali won the Tun-Habitattat Scroll of Honor Award for its many innovations in building a model, modern city symbolized by zero tolerance for plastics, improved garbage collection, and a substantial reduction in crime.
The Habitat Scroll of Honor is the most prestigious award given by the United Nations in recognition of work carried out in the field of human settlement development. The aim of the award is to honor individuals and institutions that have been instrumental in improving the living conditions in urban centers around the world.
Kigali deserves more space in a tourist's itinerary than a one-night stopover bookending the ultimate adventure: trekking to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Over the last two decades, Rwanda's lush, hilly capital has developed into a vibrant cosmopolitan destination, teeming with art, culture, and cuisine. Plus, the attractive urban center is one of the cleanest and safest cities in all of Africa.
No matter how much time you have to spend in Kigali, you should plan to devote at least a couple of hours to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The haunting museum explains the events that fueled the 1994 Rwanda genocide Against the Tutsi and give some essential context for the subsequent decades of peace and development in the country.
Then, explore Kigali's charming neighborhoods and attractions. Sip bold, sustainable java at Question Coffee Cafe. Shop for locally made souvenirs at the Nyamirambo Women's Center. Lose yourself in contemporary artwork at the Rwanda Art Museum.
As you plan your trip to Rwanda, don't miss out on everything the country's largest city has to offer. Plan your sightseeing with our list of the top things to do in Kigali.
Discover top sightseer appeal in Kigali for foreigners and residents alike. From free days out to secret diners, this is your fundamental Kigali record.
This post is our guide for agenda in Kigali, accompanying tips on free agenda, suggested midnight period exercises, agenda accompanying kids, top interests, and additional points of interest, which you may be going to visit.
My favorite aspect commotion in most large metropolises search out walk and Kigali is no irregularity. It’s the best habit to occurrence the city’s civilization, regularly workings, and traits. If you are going to determine about a city’s past therefore a museum, dwelling, or a concentration of artifacts will be best. But if you be going to deceive today’s Kigali then on foot is the habit of commotion it. When it meets expectations walking by way of for investigation skilled are few wrong habits: the tourist routes will yield ultimate moving findings.
Rwanda is popular for any of the museums that live well Kigali is expected one of the ultimate touristic attractiveness city. The museums are on account of the mass murder occurrence of 1994, place any of Rwandans were canceled during the existing time. Some were churches and so forth dwellings houses that favor museums later. Some of the museums contain the Kigali carnage memorial ground, Rwanda art museum, Campaign against Genocide Museum, Kant House Museum, Nyamata, and Ntarama. These have become alive touristic attractiveness as many visitors equal knowledge and determine about the Rwandan massacre past and the current development.
This is an amazing place, where bodies of the victims of the 1994 genocide Against the tutsi were laid to rest, as a sign to a decent burial. It’s just a short distance away from the city. This place has rich history of the genocide, and will be so educational, worth a visit.
Located in Remera, this market has all sorts of fabrics you’re looking for, ranging from house hold, souvenirs to food staffs, including fruits. You will have a chance to interact with the locals as you go about the buying process. This place is wonderful to visit, been if you’re not interested to buy anything, but you will love the walk, and how the locals interact with the customers. Kimironko market is one of the major Tourist Attractions in Kigali.
Rwandans are, by nature, more reserved than Kenyans, or other Africans. Loud music isn’t tolerated after 8pm and bars tend to close early. Some may call it boring, but Kigali’s residents embrace the city’s quiet calm. Yet, the oldest part of Kigali defies this stereotype.
Nyamirambo is a vibrant neighborhood in the southwest part of Kigali. It’s been called, Kigali’s “coolest neighborhood” and the “heart of Kigali” also referred to as Old Kigali, as it is the major center where the entire city began from in way back. Nyamirambo is the life of Kigali city. People party night and day. Of course that comes with a lot of mischief. Grocery shops are open all night, boutiques show no signs of closing and people work in shifts, basically – Nyamirambo is usually awake 24 hours.
Numbers of museums do exist within Kigali City with strong history of the genocide. You can decide to visit one of the museums such as the Presidential Palace Museum, Campaign against Genocide museum, Richard Kant Museum, Kigali Genocide memorial, Belgium museum, Nyamata & Ntarama and much more.
Nyamirambo walking tour in Kigali is one of the best ways to understand the cultural life of the city and how local people really interact and do business. This walking tour will give you the how people of the people and their living. This is the most livelihood part of the Kigali City with the most number of people but a bit down town part of the city. The Nyamirambo became one of the most colorful and vibrant places within that historic area. Admire the mosque townhouses and walk the ramshackle cobbled streets, accompanied by a storytelling local.
This simple hike will leave you relaxed; however it is also a great way to explore Kigali. You will have a great view of the city from a distance. There beautiful plantation of pines, which reward you with a cool forest breathe, as you take a rest, having a lookout of the monkeys around, number of bird species do exist as well.
There are number of art galleries around the city selling a number of souvenirs’ around that are real African fabric Art galleries are great tourist attractions in Kigali. Some of the products are made in Rwanda while others are imported from the neighboring countries. These are all displayed to catch the eyes of the tourists who flood in the city for their different activities.
Milk bars are where Rwandans get their equivalent of a morning latte. Nyamirambo is home to more than fifty of the small shops filled with little more than a vat of fresh cow milk. Glasses of hot, steamed fresh milk are served straight up, with cocoa powder, honey or tea.
Recently, the government has promoted milk bars in a push to nourish more of the population, particularly those on a low income, encouraging a healthy start to the day. For many Rwandans, a fresh glass of milk and a banana is breakfast.
Rounding off the NWC tour is a cooking lesson at a local woman’s home. After exploring the daily fresh produce market, where you can see women grinding cassava root with giant pestle and mortars, you’ll be taught to cook some traditional Rwandan cuisine. Irish potatoes – named because the original crop came from Europe – sugar cane, and a stew of green beans, tomatoes, and onions, make up lunch at the end of the morning.
Lots of bars do exist within Kigali, you can decide to go for night life for disco, or go for a happening, where you can have a chance to attend to a live band show, to color out your day. There are a lot of things to do, see and visit on your stay in Kigali.
| Destination | Kigali City |
|---|---|
| Area | 730 km² |
| Location | Rwanda |
