Kigali City
Kigali City is the capital and largest city of Rwanda, this beautiful city is located in the center of Rwanda making it the logical and convenient place to start or finish your Rwandan adventure that is why it is dubbed as “Rwanda’s Gateway City”.
EXPLORE KIGALI CITY
KIGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIAL The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center is a site you should not miss on a Kigali City Tour, the center is a well – conceived tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide which saw about 1 million people killed in a period of 100 days. The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center is located in 10 minutes’ drive from the city center in Gisozi, the center is a final resting place of over 250,000 genocide victims resting in a terraced series of mass grave entombs outside. Inside the center, there is an informative exhibition walks through which visitors get to learn about the Rwandan genocide and the faltering response of the global community. Also, there is a display of skulls and bones alongside personal effects personifies the tragedy, the second section of the center explores humanity’s capacity for cruelty with a show of genocides from around the world. The exhibition ends with enlarged black and white photos of child genocide victims ranging from 8 months to 17 years. Each picture is accompanied by a placard listing the child’s favorite foods and activities and his or her final moments. Kigali Genocide Memorial is run by AEGIS, a UK Non-Governmental Organization Committed to stop genocides from happening around the world.Presidential Palace Museum
The Presidential Palace Museum used to be the house of Juvenal Habyarimana and Pasteur Bizimungu – who were presidents of Rwanda from the 70s to the 90s until the president was shot down at the grounds of the palace. The Museum offers an intimate look at the actors and spaces that led to the 1994 genocide, the assassination of President Juvenal Habyarimana is said to have sparked the killing spree. The remains of his private plane which was shot down over his home and are still on display outside the museum walls. The sunroom where the president’s wide and her infamous coterie, the Akuzu plotted the genocide still has the original furniture and carpet. A tour in the President Palace Museum is led by a tour guide who will point out the president’s paranoia artifacts, censors on the stairs, a secret escape route and a bathroom safe once stuffed with cash. Other highlights in the Presidential Palace Museum include a Rwanda-shape pool for the president’s 8 meter (26 – foot) pet python and a witchcraft consultation room next to the house’s Catholic Chapel, much of the furniture in the palace was looted during the genocide. There are still some furniture pieces such as Habyarimana’s imposing desk, an elephant – foot table and the still – working German Refrigerator illustrating the leader’s extravagant tastes.Kigali Cultural Village
The Kigali Cultural Village is a traditional market space with local art, street food venture and hosts several cultural events, workshops, festivals and music.Rwanda Art Museum
Rwanda Art Museum is the sole museum of contemporary art in Rwanda providing an insight into the originality of Rwandan creativity, the museum is located in Kanombe about four kilometers away from Kigali International Airport. The Museum considers how traditional and modern imaginations can blend and fuseEthnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum is nestled in Butare, about 35 kilometers from Kigali City Centre, the museum displays Africa’s finest ethnographic collections and has seven galleries displaying historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artifacts accompanied by visual aides giving visitors a rich insight into the Rwandan Culture.WHERE TO EAT IN KIGALI CITY
There are many amazing and fascinating spots to eat at in Kigali City, some of our best picks are Haven – founded by American Couple Alissa and Josh Ruxin, the restaurant is oasis of gourmet cuisine, weekend brunch, evening cocktails and special occasion dinners. Poivre Noir – an intimate and quiet restaurant found in Kimihurura – one of the neighborhoods in Kigali known for resturants and nightlife. This restaurant serves the best meals in Kigali City. Repub Lounge – famous for quality food, late night drinks and belt – loosening menu. Kiseki – located in the Kimihurura neighborhood of Kigali, Kiseki serves perfectly sliced nigiri, sushi burritos among others. Kigali Serena Hotel – one of the five-star hotels in Kigali city, the hotel has open air restaurants, heliconia and palm fringed pool. Turambe Shoppe – perfect for vegetarians and those looking for healthy food fanatics, the restaurant is known for its fresh salad and sandwich offering. You can choose between the delicious Asian chopped salad, roasted garlic hummus and crunch on Turambe’s organic lettuce. Casakeza – offers excellent small bites such as eggplant fries drizzled in cane honey and house salad from their cute and colorful garden Filini – located inside the Radisson Blu hotel and next to the Kigali Convention Centre, the restaurants serves the best Italian Cuisine in the city Monmartse – serves the best Korean food, perfectly cooked bibimbap, soups and banchan.GETTING TO AND AROUND KIGALI CITY
Kigali City is relatively each to navigate, motorbike taxis called motos are a cheap and convenient mode of transport to get around the city, fares for the moto are negotiable and they are safe. Taxis in Kigali City are professionally run, marked and metered, though they are normally expensive. Roads in Kigali City are in excellent condition, however you need to be careful when driving.WHERE TO STAY IN KIGALI CITY
There are many hotels in Kigali City categorized as budget, midrange and luxury. These include Luxury Accommodations in Kigali- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Kigali Marriott Hotel
- Hotel Des Mille Collines
- Raddison Blue Hotel
- Grand Legacy Hotel
- Onomo Hotel Kigali
- Park Inn by Radisson
- Hill Crest Hotel
- Ubumwe Grande Hotel
- Villa Uzuri Rwanda
- The Mirror Hotel
- Orient Park Hotel
