Kigali City is Rwanda’s capital and commercial hub, set in the heart of the country. Kigali City is a modern metropolis that has transformed itself from the dark past to today’s attractive, safest and fastest-growing economic powerhouses on the continent. The city’s transformation is driven by a long-term vision to create a climate-friendly environment that enhances the quality of the lifestyle of its residents.
This conducive environment, coupled with Rwanda’s friendly hospitality, continues to draw visitors and investors alike, which in turn has spurred economic growth. Kigali’s central location makes it a perfect base for visitors aiming for bucket-list adventures of mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trek experiences far into the countryside.
Kigali City: Then and Now
Kigali City began as a humble German colonial administrative outpost in 1907, set on the hillsides of Mt. Kigali (1853 m) and was named the capital in 1962 when Rwanda became independent. Today the city has outgrown to spread over a 730 km2 area, covering 3 administrative districts with a population of over 1.7 million residents. (Source: RPHC5)
Kigali City has undergone a tremendous transformation since the 1994 genocide to become the most organized, climate-friendly city on the continent. At the core of this transformation is a dedicated vision: to make Kigali the most livable city. This has resulted in organized neighborhoods, smart traffic infrastructure, tree-lined streets, expansive public green eco parks, and industrial parks, thus creating a quality lifestyle for Kigali’s residents.
Things to Do in Kigali
Kigali City abounds with numerous and wide range of activities including mini-hikes and cultural tours to walking safaris, birding, golfing, and sightseeing tours. These can be well undertaken as a full-day tour plan or half-day tour to fit your interests and schedules.
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Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi
Kigali Genocide Memorial is one of the top 10 landmarks to visit in Africa and a major highlight on a Kigali city tour. Set in the green valley overlooking the commercial hub of Nyarugege, the Gisozi memorial site houses memorial gardens and a descent resting place for up to a quarter million people that lost their lives due to the genocide. A tour here is a sobering moment as you walk through photo exhibition halls, where audio and video guides reveal first-hand testimonials of survivors and actors of this tragedy. The tour sheds light on the reconciliation and healing process that happened across the nation that has now brought unity and prosperity to this nation.
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Visit and Shop at Kaplaki Crafts Village
Nowhere does Rwanda’s ancient culture and tradition come alive than in its art, and nowhere does that art come alive than at Kaplaki Craft Market. This variety of Rwandan-made art depicts the country’s long history of inspiring art. Kaplaki Market houses thousands of local artisans engaging in making traditional African and modern contemporary art using locally sourced materials. Art as a form of communication relays the personality and integrity of the people it represents. Here also you get a chance to purchase authentic and locally made art.
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Visit Nyamirambo Women Center
While in Kigali, explore the suburb of Nyamirambo, regarded as the earliest settlement of modern Kigali City. The multicultural suburb is known for its bustling narrow streets offering great eateries that serve a variety of continental cuisines, and in recent years, its car-free zone has become a beehive of activities. One popular ecotourism facility to visit is the Nyamirambo Women Centre, an initiative formed by local women that engages in training and empowering women to begin small-scale income streams. Here, dozens of women engage in craft-making that they sell to earn a living. The center also engages in eco-tourism activities, from traditional food cooking and weaving classes to walking activities and more. These activities aim to give you insights into this conservative neighborhood.
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Visit Kimironko Market
Lying in the district of Gasabo, Kimirinko is the busiest market in Kigali and a major highlight on a Kigali city tour. This highly orderly market retains a typical African market feel of diverse colors, fragrances, and people bustling through narrow walkways. Kimironko Market sees an overwhelming beehive of activities from a wide range of vendors with fresh food produce, cereals, woodcrafts, construction materials, clothes, and more. A guided tour through Kimironko lasts close to 2 hours.
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Hike Mount Kigali
For adventure enthusiasts, a gentle hike to Mount Kigali (1853 m) offers a rewarding experience with stunning views across Kigali City. The trail to Mt. Kigali Peak begins near the suburb of Nyamirambo taking up to 2 hours, depending on how often you stop to take in stunning views of the city and your fitness levels.
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Go Birdwatching
Kigali City is a birding destination in its right offer a quality birding experience to visitors with time to spare in Kigali. The city, under its green initiative has created numerous natural macro habitats that have attracted a surprising quality of bird species—a testament that when you give nature a chance, it thrives! These easily accessed birding hotspots include, restored wetlands, and wooded hillside where one can collect a total checklist of up to 150 species. Read on here to discover these hotspots.
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Enjoy Kigali’s superb Nightlife
While in Kigali, step out and interact with the city’s youthful population as they retire away from work and socialize over small bites and drinks. Enjoy fine dining in any of Kigali’s rooftop hotels that offer stunning views of the city but also serve a variety of cuisines, from continental to traditional dishes. And should you visit on the right days, these places offer live music presentations performing a variety of rich-Rwandan music genres.
Getting in and around Kigali City
Kigali City boasts one of the most highly organized public transport systems on the continent. With no metros and subways common in the western world, Kigali city is serviced with an organized public bus system connecting all the city districts and even far beyond to the countryside. Elsewhere, disciplined Moto taxis, also known as boda boda taxis, provide quick movement in and around the city.
A great way to move around Kigali is actually on foot, where one gets incredible views of the city’s skyline. Given that the city is set on high altitudes, spreading over several hills and sharp valleys, an average fitness level is required. The city has a network of dedicated foot lanes and zebra crossings that provide a safe environment for pedestrians.
Other sites to visit in Kigali include the BK Arena, Nyarutarama Golf Club, Nyandungu Eco-Park, and more.