Kigali City Tour
Kigali is known for being one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa. It is located in the centre of the country on the Ruganwa River. Kigali was a trade centre (after 1895) during the German colonial administration and became a regional centre during the Belgian colonial period (1919–62). It became the capital upon Rwanda’s independence in 1962. The government has implemented strict laws on littering and waste management, contributing to its well-maintained streets and public spaces.
Highlights of Kigali City Tour
Visiting the Kandt House Museum
Your journey often begins with a visit to the Kandt House Museum, situated in the heart of Kigali. Named after Dr. Richard Kandt, a German doctor and colonial administrator, this historic house is a window into Rwanda’s colonial past. It houses artworks that depict social, economic, and political life prior to the colonial period. It also depicts the Rwandan people’s experience throughout the colonial period. It also covers Kigali’s history before, during, and after the colonial era. Kigali was designated as the country’s capital upon independence in 1962. It is worth noting that after the Berlin Conference in 1884, the Germans controlled Rwanda until 1916, when the Belgians took it under the League of Nations Mandate following World War I.
While on your tour here, you’ll have the chance to explore all the three main sections. The first section offers you will the chance to the displays several of Rwanda’s animal inhabitants, ranging from little mice to popular mountain gorilla skulls. As you continue to the second section, which is the largest section explains the experience of Rwandans throughout the colonial period, namely the period under German control. And finally explore the third section which offers you will the deep history of Kigali before, during, and after colonial times. Visiting Kandt House is essential for understanding the roots of modern Kigali and appreciating how history shapes the present.
State House Museum
The State House Museum was once the home to the country’s president. The last president to occupy it was Habyarimana. Tragically, his place grounds, which led to a terrible genocide that had been planned but not yet carried out fully. Today, the building is a museum where visitors can go to learn about the events leading up to the genocide and kind of life lived by president Habyarimana. Visitors can still see the wreckage of the plane on the grounds.
Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site
No visit to Kigali is complete without a city tour to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site. This memorial is a place of remembrance, education, and reflection on the tragic genocide of 1994 that resulted in the loss of around one million lives. The Museum holds the remains of about 250,000 people who were brutally murdered by the Interahamwe (Hutu extremists). The centre is divided into three sections – one for children killed during the genocide, another for adults and the final for genocides that have occurred in different parts of the world.
The memorial features well-curated exhibits that detail the events leading up to the genocide, the atrocities committed, and the stories of survivors. Visitors can walk through mass graves, memorial gardens, and an educational center that aims to promote awareness and prevent future atrocities.
The site also offers testimonies from survivors and exhibits on reconciliation efforts. Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a profound experience, reminding visitors of the importance of peace, tolerance, and human rights. The experience can be emotional but the main purpose of the displays is to teach people (especially the young generation) about the horrors of genocides so that it never happens anywhere else again.
Visiting Inema Art Center
Inema Art Center was started by two brothers with the aim of supporting and promoting local artists. The Center features some of the best contemporary artisan products in the country. They also hold workshops and training sessions for upcoming artists and especially those who are less privileged such as orphans. On a typical visit, tourists are shown around the facility as they shop for souvenir from the different galleries. There are often dance performances by a local cultural group called Intore. The art pieces at the Inema Art Centre can be bought online as you wait for shipment. After visiting Inema, many people go to Ivuka Arts Centre to learn about their community projects and see more artwork.
Visiting Kigali Convention Centre
This Centre is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings in Kigali city its design is striking, drawing attention from many visitors. The center is famous for hosting big conferences and events, making it a hub for important meetings. Besides the main conference hall, the facility features a 5-star hotel known as Radisson Blue and large shopping centres. The Kigali Convention Centre is excellent for photography, shopping or as a place to have lunch. At night, the Centre is beautifully lit, standing out as one of the brightest and most beautiful buildings in Kigali.
Visiting the National Museum of Rwanda
The Ethnographic Museum, for marly knaon as the national museum of Rwanda, was built in 1989 and is found in Butare, a town about 80 kilometres away from the capital Kigali. It is a favourite stop for tourists visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park. The Museum offers opportunities to learn about the culture of the Banyarwanda. The museum’s 7 galleries showcase artefacts, photos, cultural tools and ancient artifacts (pottery, instruments, traditional regalia and woodwork) dating over 500 years. After exploring the exhibits, visitors can enjoy performances by the lively Intore dancers.
Visiting Kimironko Market
A city tour in Kigali isn’t complete without exploring Kimironko Market, the largest and most bustling market in the city. Kimironko market is where everyone goes to for cheap fresh fruits, vegetables and food. There are many different products that tourists simply visit the different stalls and get what they feel is best. Walking through the market, you’ll see vendors bargaining and hear the sounds of daily commerce. It’s an excellent opportunity to buy souvenirs, try fresh tropical fruits, or simply observe the everyday hustle of Rwandan city life. The market embodies the vibrant spirit and resilience of Kigali’s residents. If you are wondering where to get good local fabrics or Kitenge at a good price, then Kimironko is the place to go to.
A visit to Nyamirambo Women’s Center
Nyamirambo Women’s Center is a community organization located in the Nyamirambo area of Kigali. It was started to help women learn practical skills that can help them find jobs or start their own small business. The women at the centre are taught how to create quality clothing using local fabrics. The women also produce home decoration products, beautiful beads and other souvenirs. Additionally, the centre offers walking tours around the neighbourhood for visitors who want to mingle with the local population. If you visit, it’s a good idea to buy something from them to support their work.
A visit to Nyamata Church
Nyamata Church is a powerful place to learn about the tragic events of the Rwandan genocide. many people, mostly Tutsi, came here seeking safety, hoping to escape the violence. Sadly, around 10,000 of them found refuge inside, but they were attacked by the Interahamwe, who used grenades and guns to kill everyone inside. Today visitors can still see human bones, bloodstained clothes and bullet holes in the church. About 50,000 people are buried in a mass grave outside the church
Visiting Mount Kigali
For nature lovers and those seeking panoramic views, Mount Kigali (also called Kigali Hill) is a must-visit spot. The hill offers breathtaking vistas of the city, especially at sunset, when the skyline lights up with hues of orange and pink. While on your Kigali city tour here, you’ll have the chance to embark on a variety of stunning activities such as hiking, Mountain biking, Sightseeing is one of the reasons why people hike Mount Kigali as well as Horse riding. The area is dotted with small parks and resting spots, where visitors can take photos and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
On clear days, you can see across Kigali’s rooftops, sprawling neighbourhoods, and distant hills. It’s a perfect place for reflection or simply soaking in the beauty of Rwanda’s landscape.
Campaign against Genocide Museum
This museum gives visitors an overview of the role of the RPF in brining an end to the horrific genocide of the Tutsi population in Rwanda. The museum is based on the Parliament House that accommodated 600 RPF soldier when the genocide started – making this a poignant place to learn more about their role in ending the brutalities.
Local Food
Rwandan food may not be top of anyone’s list of key attractions in the country but still worth noting. The popular local cuisine is a combination of the best that East Africa has to offer. You can enjoy fresh cow’s milk, as well as grilled meats, Isombe (a vegetable dish), somboza (a spicy drink), akabanga (a spicy oil), and various types of local skewers called brochettes. Urwagwa is a popular type of banana beer which the locals take after work or on weekends. All the high-end hotels and restaurants prepare local food but Repub Lounge is a favourite for expatriates living in the area.
Getting Around Kigali
Kigali is easy to explore. Most visitors start their tour at the city center, which is full of shops, cafes, and government buildings. Taxis and motorcycle taxis, called “motos,” are common ways to get around, but many travelers also prefer to rent a car for more flexibility.
