The Visit Kigali City Tour offers you a fascinating exploration of Rwanda’s capital. Kigali, named after a mountain (well, a hill), is Rwanda’s commercial hub and home to the majority of the nation’s significant political offices. Among the safest and cleanest cities in Africa is Kigali. It has one of the best overall transportation and road systems in all of Africa. A stroll around the city center will reveal magnificent five-star hotels, upscale eateries, pubs, and nightclubs.
Kigali has been chosen to host numerous significant international conferences due to its contemporary infrastructure, spotless streets, secure environment, and effective government. It is going to host the 2020 Commonwealth Conference as I write this. All of these accomplishments are astounding considering how devastating the 1994 genocide was for Rwanda. Paul Kagame, the president of the new administration, has reconstructed the nation to draw in tourists and investment.In addition to its impeccable organization, lovely hills, and cleanliness, Kigali enjoys year-round pleasant weather.
Views of the city are best enjoyed from Mount Kigali and Jurapark. One can see all of the nearby hills, commercial districts, impoverished neighborhoods, and residential regions from these key locations. Discover the history, culture, and advancements made since the 1994 genocide ended with our one-day tour.
The one-day tour of Kigali’s city can be combined with other activities for a comprehensive Rwanda safari, such as biking the Congo Nile Trail, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, game drives in Akagera National Park, gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park, and cultural visits.
While Kigali can be Even though you may easily walk or ride a bike across Kigali, we will take a car on our one-day excursions of the city to see as many attractions as we can.Your budget, general interests, and personal preferences will determine how many sites you visit. As long as the destinations are in Kigali, you have the option to have some landmarks omitted from your itinerary or to be taken to other interesting locations.
Note:
After breakfast in the morning, you will begin your one-day tour of Kigali. Pickup locations in Kigali include your hotel, home, or any other location. You can schedule the tour for one half day or the whole day. The sequence in which to do things and see locations in Kigali depends on the moment when the tour or pickup begins. We can arrange for you to attend nightclubs, theaters, and concert venues separately if you would want to learn more about the nightlife.
Activities in Kigali
Climb Mount Kigali:
If you are an adventure seeker, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. At 6,000 feet, it is Kigali’s highest hill rather than a mountain in the traditional sense. The Sun City Hotel is close to the starting site in Nyamirambo. Because of the mountain’s mild slopes, trekking to the summit is generally simple. Aside from providing breathtaking city vistas, the summit of Mount Kigali provides excellent photo ops. You can visit the Fazenda Sengha horse ranch to go horseback riding or pause for food and beer at the Mera Neza tavern when you are at the summit of Mount Kigali. Barbecue is served on a platform at the ranch that overlooks the picturesque city.
Take a Motorcycle Taxi:
This is possibly the most economical and efficient way to see the city and its surroundings.
The motorbikes provide you the freedom to stop at interesting locations and are ideal for maneuvering around traffic. Anyone can rent the bikes, but if you do not know how to operate them, it is best to travel with a reliable guide.When using them in the wet season, use caution and always wear the helmet that the guide provides.
Volunteering:
If you firmly believe in the volunteer spirit, you should be aware that Kigali would afford you the chance to become involved in worthwhile causes. You can ask to assist hospitalized individuals. One of the many non-governmental groups in need of dedicated and competent foreign volunteers is helping patients in hospitals; you can offer to teach English in a school; teach a new sport; or create a website. Anticipate working in challenging environments with little comfort. The only benefit you should anticipate from your volunteerism is the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you have had a positive impact on other people.
Visit a bowling alley:
The Mamba Club was the first establishment in Kigali to have a boiling alley. Located in Kimihurura, the club has contributed to the sport’s increased popularity in Rwanda. The club organizes various indoor athletic events in a lively atmosphere with good international and local cuisines on sale, and it features top-notch imported bowling equipment.
Visit art galleries, art centers, and craft stores:
No trip to an African city is complete without stopping by one of these establishments, and Kigali is no exception. Visit the living rooms and residences of Rwandans if you want proof that they appreciate art. The greatest art center in Kigali is the Inema Art Center. The two Nkurunziza brothers, Innocent and Emmnuel, created this center in 2012.Currently; the Center hosts guest artists from abroad in addition to roughly 13 of the finest artists in the nation.
If you are looking for exquisite African paintings and sculptures, this is the place to go. You may watch artists in action or pick up drumming and dancing techniques. In addition, the center offers yoga sessions and hosts a bar that opens on Thursday so that guests can enjoy a drink while admiring the art collections. See the renowned Abraham Konga Collections for the best selection of jewelry. Konga crafts exquisite necklaces and earrings from waste materials.
Kigali Boutique:
At the Marriot Hotel features exquisite shoes, books, and jewelry. Kigali Boutique also sells clothing, baskets, and a beautiful map of Kigali. Why not check out Sarah Day Design, which is a few meters from the boutique at the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, for less expensive jewelry and other house hold items.
Take a massage and sauna:
There are many of locations in Kigali where you may get a manicure, facial, or pedicure. Not only do upscale hotels offer massage and sauna services, but there are also specialty stores dispersed around the city center.
Go to a sizable mall for shopping:
The Union Trade Center is home to Nakumatt, which is possibly the biggest hyper market in the town center right now, Nakumatt is housed inside the Union Trade Center.
Nearly anything is available there.
Skydiving:
Despite being introduced relatively recently, this activity has gained a lot of popularity in Kigali. Your adrenaline will soar when you jump from a little plane to the earth. Anyone can complete the task, but it requires a lot of mental preparation. The instructors conduct a safety orientation that covers parachute organization among other topics. All the way to the ground, the teacher will fly alongside or near to you. If you intend to travel to Kenya soon, I advise you to study up on the best things to do in Nairobi.
Ride a Horse:
Riding a horse through Kigali’s stunning countryside and around Mount Kigali, which gives breathtaking views of the city, is an option. Both Rugende Park and Mount Kigali’s Fazenda Sengha provide horseback riding. Riding a horse is open to everyone. Prior to beginning the lengthy ride, participants are taught the fundamentals of riding a horse and given the opportunity to practice around a pen or tree.
Skating:
The skating park is located at the SOS School in Kigali-Kacyiru’s attractions. For those who are new to skating, the SOS School provides opportunities to master the fundamentals while also teaching skilled skaters new techniques.
Golf: The Kigali Golf Club in Nyarutarama provides golf bags and equipment in addition to allowing non-members to play for a modest price. The club features an exquisite 18-hole course that is kept up beautifully.
Play tennis: Cercle Sportif, Hotel Des Places to see in Kigali, Nyarutarama Sports Club, Umubano hotel, and Amahoro stadium have the greatest tennis courts in Kigali. Since many of the other courts are still constructed of clay, playing for extended periods of time may cause foot strain.
Go Fishing:
The finest location for fishing in Kigali is Lake Muhazi. Getting to the lake from Kigali by car takes approximately one hour. The lake is roughly 32 kilometers wide and features a number of fishing spots where you can launch your line from a canoe or a motorboat. The breathtaking scenery in the lake’s environs enhances the activities. You may find it interesting to read about what to carry for a safari in Rwanda.
The Convention Center in Kigali: Constructed adjacent to the renowned Radisson Blu Hotel is The Center. One of the well-known locations in Kigali is the Kigali Convention Center. It was constructed with lovely lights that appear stunning at night in the style of a beehive. The comparable design of the King’s palace in Nyanza is reported to have served as inspiration for the architect.
Visit the local markets:
One way to learn about a country’s culture is to go to its marketplaces. You can learn about their interactions and favorite foods from the market. Perhaps Kigali’s biggest local market is Kimironko Market. It is the finest place to find fresh fruits, vegetables, flours, and species because it is situated away from the city center.
The market features a number of electronics, clothing, and other craft stores in addition to food vendors. Brightly colored indigenous fabrics from Rwanda are readily available for purchase and can be sewn into a skirt, top, or dress for a nominal cost. The Nyamirambo market is the other significant market because of its greater space, you may interact with the locals and learn about their concerning their merchandise.
The majority of Rwandans speak French and Kinyarwanda. When visiting these markets, it is crucial to travel with a guide who can assist you with translation as needed. Consider reading up about independent visitors to Rwanda.
Consider coffee or tea:
Rwanda is renowned for producing some of the world’s greatest coffee. Over time, the city has seen a growth in the number of coffee shops offering delicious coffee and tea. Picture yourself enjoying a nice cup of coffee while lounging near one of the well-known coffee shops and seeing the residents going about their everyday lives.
Among the greatest tea and coffee shops are Shokola, Poivre Noir, Camellia (housed inside a sizable mall), Sundowner, and Poivre Noir , the well-liked Sundowner, Shokola Cafe, Inzora Rooftop Café, Le Panorama (with stunning city views), and Cafe Neo for freshly made sandwiches and coffee. There is also Blues Café, which serves burgers and salads, and Bourbon Coffee, which serves sandwiches and fresh fruit juices.
Visit a coffee cooperative:
Why not visit one of the coffee cooperatives located on the outskirts of the city after sampling and enjoying the coffee from one of the outlets? Inquiry Coffee is a non-governmental organization and cooperative that hosts day trips to its farms and plantations so that visitors can discover the full process of producing coffee—from harvesting to bagging and retailing—in one convenient location.
Watching Movies or visiting the Night Clubs:
Kigali’s primary movie theater, Century Cinema, is situated directly in the heart of the city.
They screen the newest blockbusters in 3-D and 5-D with amazing action, special effects, and surround sound—some of them even before they are officially released in the US. The Korean Embassy and the Goethe-Institut display German and Embassy, respectively, screen themed German and Korean films.
To individuals who enjoy dancing, partying, and making new friends, going to one of the nightclubs would be ideal. People from all walks of life frequent these nightclubs in search of a fun-filled weekend. You can take dance classes from one of the many schools in the city before storming one of the clubs similar to Chillax Lounge for dancing salsa. Though Club 514 and ROSTY Bar offer karaoke on Wednesday evenings, K-Club is undoubtedly Kigali’s best dance club.
Watch Soccer at Amahoro Stadium:
With 30,000 seats, Amahoro Stadium in the Remera neighborhood is Rwanda’s largest soccer stadium. Rwandans love soccer, and every time one of the top teams plays, the stadium is packed. Armée Patriotique Rwandaise FC, Police FC, and Rayon Sports FC are the three best and most well-liked league teams in Rwanda. The match tickets are fairly priced. So go cheer on a team and socialize with the locals while having a good time and meeting new people.
The Kigali Public Library:
If you enjoy learning and reading, you should check out the recently constructed Kigali Public Library, with an assortment of both printed and digital books. On one floor, the Shokola Storytellers Cafe serves Rwandan coffee, and patrons are free to use the computers in the library, browse the internet, or watch documentaries on a huge projector. One must be a member in order to take books home. Visit the Ikirezi bookshop if you are interested in purchasing any books on Rwanda.
Visit restaurants:
It would be impossible to visit Kigali without sampling the local specialties, which include large fried fish, roasted goat combined with potatoes, roasted beef, brochettes, and Nyama Choma. These delectable dishes are served in specialty eateries located throughout the city or in hotels such as the Hotel des Mille Collines.
Brachetto is the first spot you should visitIn addition to Brachetto, Kigali is home to a plethora of other excellent eateries. International humanitarian workers, businesspeople, and expats frequent the Heaven restaurant, which serves dishes from across continents. For Italian cuisine, one can also go to Sol et Luna or Pili-Pili restaurant.
While I cannot forget to suggest Dolce for their gorgeous interior and delicious pizzas or Zen for the best Asian meals in Kigali, they also specialize in native Rwandan dishes and buffets.
Go no farther than Khana Khazana and Zaaffran for Indian cuisine.
The Repub Lounge for delicious meat dishes and cocktails, Fantastic Restaurant for local and foreign food, Lalibela Restaurant for Ethiopian cuisine, Trattoria for delicious pasta/buffets, Brioche Bread, and so on are all highly recommended.
The Nyamirambo Women’s Centre:
Located in a Kigali suburb, the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre accommodates women. In 2007, a group of Rwandan women who had previously experienced gender-based violence founded this center and training.
The Nyamirambo Women’s Center, a non-governmental organization, offers computer literacy courses and English language trainings for victims in addition to fighting gender-based violence. The ladies use the center’s contemporary sewing machines to make bags, clothing, and other items using materials found in the area. The finished product is excellent, and their boutique sells some of the most vibrant Kitenge (a native cloth) at competitive prices to help the center.
The two-hour walking tours include stops at the State House Museum, the Natural History Museum, as well as neighborhood stores, residences, hair salons, and marketplaces.The Gaddafi Mosque is a beautiful building located in Nyamirambo. Although the former leader of Libya did not build it, it is named after him in honor of a route he constructed that passes near the mosque. Although the mosque’s actual name is the Islamic Cultural Center, few people in Rwanda use it. In addition, the mosque serves the Nyamirambo community with a school, clinic, and community center.
Walk or run:
You may visit a lovely city like Kigali with its lovely hills by strolling or running. You can go for a walk both day and night. Points of interest in KigaliKigali’s streets are well lit and devoid of criminal activity. You may stroll behind MTN’s main office close to Kibagabaga as well as along the valleys of Nyarutarama and Kacyiru.
You can go to Nyamirambo if you want to stroll around a crowded area. Kigali’s hills may be intimidating to joggers, but if you can persevere and make it to the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking city views. Other joggers and walkers choose the relatively level terrain surrounding the Kimihurura roundabout.
Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial:
Although Kigali and Rwanda today exemplify many positive aspects of a modern and rapidly evolving Africa, in 1994 the people had to witness one of the deadliest genocides in recorded history. The Kigali Genocide Memorial was constructed not only to pay tribute to the approximately 700,000 victims of the genocide but also to raise awareness of the crimes done and ensure that they never happen again. Even while it may be distressing, going to this memorial center can help you understand what happened.
You will get knowledge about Rwanda’s general history, its colonization, and other elements that contributed to the horrifying killing by visiting the museums. Images of small children that the Interahamwe brutally murdered.The Kigali Genocide Memorial educates you about the other major crimes done by humanity worldwide in addition to Rwanda. The third exhibition highlights the Holocaust’s greatest crimes committed by the Nazis, including the genocides in Armenia and Cambodia. Allow approximately two hours to view every video and hear every audio recording.
See the main museums in the city.
The best museum in Kigali is the Museum of Natural History, which was established to capture the natural beauty of Rwanda.Rwanda’s stunning volcanoes and animal and bird life are on display in the museum’s northern wing. On the other side, the Southern Wing is centered on the mineral wealth of the nation. You may find out how much each of these has added to the nation’s wealth.
Visitors can also visit the State House Museum (the former Presidential Palace):
To comprehend the circumstances leading up to the 1994 genocide, go to the State House Museum, which is housed in the former Presidential Palace outside of the city center. Habyarimana and Pasteur Bizimungu were the two presidents that used this palace the most recently (1).
The massacre began when Habyarima was killed in a plane crash close to his own presidential complex. Explore the palace’s intriguing exhibits, which include a gun cabinet, detection gadgets, and a nightclub for the president and his friends. A church and another room used for rites are also visible. Adjacent to the royal gardens is the wreckage of the downed Falcon 50 presidential airplane.
You can visit the Campaign Against atrocities Museum located in the Parliament building if, at this point, you are still interested in learning more about the atrocities. This museum clarifies the plans of the Rwanda Patriotic Front to halt the genocide that followed the UN forces’ withdrawal, which left the Tutsi at the mercy of the Interahamwe.
The memorial for Belgium’s UN troops was constructed in 2000 as a way to honor the ten peacekeepers from that country who were killed while defending Prime Minister Madame Agathe Uwiligiyimana and her family.