Kigali city is a geographical center that is famously and popularly known as the capital city of Rwanda. It is the largest city and town in Rwanda compared to other cities. Due to the geographical set up of the Kigali city where it is a home to numerous ridges, valleys and a lot of rolling hills, Kigali earns an incredible and exciting name to Rwanda as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”.

Kigali city is situated on an area of about 730 square kilometers and it is occupied by about 859332 populations of people with the well-known civilization culture that makes Kigali one of the cleanest cities compared to other cities in Africa. Rwanda has a unique culture of general cleaning on every last Saturday of the month, where all roads and streets in Kigali are closed and everyone has to participate in the communal cleaning. This is known as national wide community service day in Rwanda which was implemented by the government of Rwanda locally called the “Umuganda”

Kigali city is the main economic and cultural center of Rwanda due its geographical strategic locations, thus it can act as a hub to other destinations in Rwanda. The city has a lot to offer to all travelers that visit Rwanda such as the Rwanda genocide memories, the culture, shopping centers museums, Kigali city walks, craft villages and the wonderful exciting beauty sceneries of the Kigali city among others.

What to offer in Kigali city of Rwanda?

Kigali city in Rwanda is one of the extremely fascinating cities that every traveler would like to visit due to its great cleanliness of the city, the fresh air atmospheres, hospitable people, and amazing views of the surround places among others. Prior to the above, activities to engage in include the following;

The historic genocide memorial site, this is one of the historical sites which are situated in Kigali city that is visited by a number of travelers who come to Rwanda. The memorial site was reconstructed to commemorate the 1994 Rwanda genocide where about 800,000 people were killed in this genocide. The Rwanda historical genocide memorial site acts as tourist attraction as well as learning center/open museum to both the international and local travelers.

Nyanza genocide memorial, the historical site has four massive graves that were constructed to commemorate the killing of the Tutsi people who used to stay at Ecole Technique Officielle grounds. This is where the Belgium soldiers who were protecting the wife to the president were killed.

Kimoromko market, this is shopping spot a traditional market Center that has craft items which were made by the local people.  These items were bought by a many travelers who come to Kigali as souvenirs from their safari as they go back home.

Richard Kandt’s house, this is one of the museums whose name originated from the first colonial Germany governor in Rwanda. The museum presents the life of Rwandese socially, politically and economically, it also portrays the Rwandese people during the Germany regime. The museum shows the Richard Kandt’s achievements as well as the history of Kigali until to it became the capital city of Rwanda.

Besides the above mentioned, there are other attraction in Kigali such as the Nyamirambo town, the institute of science and technology, the hero’s cemetery among others.

Accommodation in Kigali city

Kigali city has a lot of accommodation facilities where travelers can stay in to enjoy their safari in Kigali. They range from budget accommodation options, id range options as well as luxury options. Such as Des Mille Collins hotel, Kigali Marriott hotel, Golf Hills Residence, Step Town Motel, City Blue hotel, Retreat hotel among others.

Kigali City – Rwanda’s Capital

KIGALI HUB

The city of Kigali became the capital city in 1907 and officially accepted as the country capital city on the 1^st July 1962.

Built at the feet of Mt Kigali, Kigali has 720km2 and the largest city in Rwanda with over 1,500,000 people.

Known for its cleanness and safety, Kigali was chosen after Butare, called Astrida.

From a population of around 5640 people in 1962 Kigali has been growing quickly and is now the major political and economic centre of Rwanda.

Situated in the heart of Rwanda Kigali provides a convenient gateway to the country by road or air.

 

Getting around Kigali City.

To explore the city’s main attractions take the Kigali City Tour, organized by RDB/Tourism office, the city tour is done twice a day, one from 8:00 to 11:30, another from 2pm to 4:3, this guided tour includes the Genocide memorial centre, the Natural history museum, the new and old part of the city,  a craft market of your choice/ a local market and it takes you from the colonial times, the history of Kigali from the time it became a capital city, the massacres and genocides against Tutsi, peace and reconciliation, Development and reconstruction of Kigali implementation of the master plan and vision 2020.

The fastest and most popular way to get around town are the thrilling Motorcycle taxis, also known as ‘ motor taxis ‘. It can be a little scary balanced on the back of a motorcycle, but the undeniable advantage is being able to maneuver more easily through traffic.

Avoid motor taxis without valid permits are easily recognized by the numbers on their green helmets and jackets. Also note that wearing a helmet is compulsory and will be provided as part of the service.

Must Reads, Click to see details

• Arts and Handicrafts
• Restaurants and Coffee Shops in Kigali
• Kigali Music and Entertainment

 

Shopping, Centres &Malls in Kigali

If you are looking to shop, visit the area covered by KN3,KN6, KN67,AND KN2. Should yoy be looking for a mall experience , head for the biggest mall in Kigali, the Union Trade Centre, situated at the eastern side of KN3. Also reffered to as the Nakumatt Centre, it offers a wide range of imported goods, bakeries, coffee shops and banks.

If you are looking for an African Market Experience then explore Nyabugogo market, which is the largest market in Kigali, Kimironko m arket selling predominantly fresh produce, fabric and household items or watch carpenters at work at the Gakingiro market which sells furniture.

Outdoor Activities in and around Kigali

Enjoy bird watching at the affluent Nyarutarama lake “Lover’s Lake” in the Nyarutarama Valley at the border of Kigali Golf Course, is most attractive . The lake is surrounded by a track which offers excellent nature walks and bird watching opportunities.

The Nyabarongo Wetlands have remained untouched by tourism, but also offer walking paths and good bird watching. This protected area covers 146.62km2 with two lakes- Lake Mirayi and Lake Rumira.

Practice your swing at Nyarutarama Golf Course ; this challenging course offers an invigorating golf experience over a topographically rich landscape.k an afternoon of pampering at one of the many spas the city has to offer including Maisha Spa at Serena, County Inn Spa and Sals Spa Manor.

Go for a swim at the Milles Collines Hotel. This famous hotel was a refuge during the genocide and also the setting for the famous novel’ Un dimanche a la piscine a Kigali’ by Quebecer Gil Courtemanche, and Hotel Rwanda.

Go mountain biking in or out of town. The fine road network, of dirt track around the city withn little traffic, offers wonderful opportunities for bicycle trips.

Museums and Memorials.

Camp Kigali a memorial site for the 10 Belgian UN Blue Berets killed on the first day of the genocide g=against the Tutsi in 1994. The camp hosts a small museum and a memorial which displays one stone pillar for each soldier with their age marked as lines.

Kigali Memorial Centre, a joint partnership between the Kigali City Council and the Aegis trust, opened in 1998 was inaugurated in April 2004, for the 10^th anniversary of the beginning of the genocide against Tutsi . Three permanent exhibitions are on display, the largest of which documents the genocidein Rwanda in 1994. There’s a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The Centre is built on a site where 259,000 people are buried.

Librarie Ikirize is the first public library in Rwanda and aims to become the ‘sanctuary for knowledge and a forum for the free exchange of ideas’. It also houses the largest selection of books written on the Rwanda Genocide.

Natural History Musseum also known as ‘Kandt House’ is dedicated to Dr. Richard Kandt, a german doctor and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile. The museum explains the interdependency between living beings and their environment. This museum showcases his work and many other natural wonders of the country.

Nyamata and Ntarama Memorials are the scenes of some of the brutal massacres in Rwanda. Both memorials are located inabout 30km south of Kigali, in the Busegera region. These churches and their contents are a reminder of the violewnce that took place during Rwanda’s1994 Genocide perpetrated against Tutsi.

Nyanza-Kicukiro Memorial and Wall of Memory stands in memory of the lives lost to the 1994 perpetrated against Tutsi at E’cole Technigue Officielle in April 1994. The museum documents the massacre and emphasizes the desertion of the international community. The Garden of Memory is across the road from the Nyanza memorial site. It is a quiet space set in nature offering an opportunity to reflect and remember those who’s lives were lost.

Presidential Palace Museum located 40km from Kigali International Airport. The Residence of former President, Juvenal.  Habyarimana(1973-94). This Museum is mainly known for the flight debris which are the remains of the presidential plane that went down on 6 April 1994.

Rebero Memorial- Rebero Memorial stands as tribute to the victims of the genocide perpetrated against Tutsi at ECO Kicukiro. Thousands of the victims of the genocide are buried here including 12 politicians who were killed for standing up to the genocidal government in 1994. The unity and development and democracy. Since the 1994 genocide, these are the very principles that have guided the rebuilding of Rwanda.