Kigali City is Africa’s cleanest city. Rwanda is a country located in central eastern Africa, bordered by four countries: Tanzania, DR Congo, Uganda, and Burundi. Despite being landlocked, Rwanda is home to some of the earth’s major treasures, including rolling hills, beautiful lakes, rivers, and mountains. Rwanda is rich in culture and history.
Rwanda’s cultural diversity is drawn from the Banyarwanda ethnic group, divided into three groups: Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa (pygmy people). Besides its beautiful people, Rwanda is also home to one of Africa’s cleanest and most peaceful cities, Kigali.
Kigali city, Rwanda’s capital, sits comfortably in the heart of the country. Covering an area of about 730 sq. km and with a population of about 859,332 (2012 census), Kigali is a bustling city with both ultra-modern and ancient buildings.
Founded by German explorer Richard Kandt in 1907, Kigali has grown to become the country’s major transport, economic, and cultural hub. Kigali is a tourism hub that is a must-see on any safari to Rwanda.
The following are some of the visitor attractions in Kigali:
- Kigali Genocide Memorial Center: The Kigali Genocide Memorial commemorates the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Located in Gisozi, ten minutes from Kigali city center, this museum holds the remains of over 250,000 people killed during the genocide, buried in open graves as a basis for remembrance and study. This site attracts visitors from around the world to pay their respects to the fallen Rwandans and learn more about this tragic history.
- Kandt Home Museum: Named after the great explorer Richard Kandt, Kandt Home Museum is located on Nyarungenge Hill in Kigali. This museum, dedicated to Kandt, was converted into a natural history museum in 2006. It showcases the evolution of life, descriptions of fauna and flora in Rwanda’s parks (Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe), and exhibits on Rwandan culture and its natural features, including mountains, lakes, and rivers.
- Inema Arts Center: More than an art gallery, Inema Arts Center is the heart of Rwandan art. Located in Kacyiru, Kigali, Inema Art Gallery was founded by brothers Innocent Nkurunziza and Emmanuel Nkuranga in 2012. It is a must-visit for art lovers, showcasing captivating creative expressions that inspire and entertain.
- Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial Monument: This memorial site, where the genocide unfolded, commemorates the ten Belgian UN peacekeepers murdered by Hutu extremists to provoke the withdrawal of UN forces. The Belgians had used this site as an army base. With strong ties to Rwanda’s dark history, this memorial ground is a poignant place to visit in Kigali.
- Nyamata Genocide Memorial Church: Located south of Kigali at a former church, Nyamata Genocide Memorial holds thousands of memories and commemorates the Rwandan genocide, with 50,000 people buried there.
- Kimironko Market: This market offers a variety of foodstuffs essential for your Rwandan safari. It provides an opportunity to interact with local vendors selling household utensils, foodstuffs, clothes, crafts, and more. Kimironko Market is a must-see during your tour of Kigali.
- Saint Famille Church: One of Kigali’s largest churches, Saint Famille Church was built in 1913 in Kiyovu suburb. It played a significant role during the 1994 genocide and is another essential destination in Kigali.
A city tour around Kigali allows exploration of other gems such as Kigali Cultural Village, Niyo Arts Gallery, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, and Onatracom Mosque, among others. Activities such as cultural encounters with the Nyamirambo women’s group, hiking Mount Kigali, city walks, vibrant nightlife in Kigali, and food tasting are also popular.
Kigali offers a range of accommodation facilities from luxury to budget options. These include Kigali Marriott Hotel for luxury stays, Flame Tree Village for mid-range options, and Murugo Hostel for budget travelers, among many other state-of-the-art hotels.
Despite Rwanda’s small size, its capital Kigali is a vibrant tourism hotspot full of life and adventure, making it a must-visit destination for your bucket list.
