Kigali City Tour Experience

Kigali  is the capital city of Rwanda and the cleanest city in Africa with a size of 730 sq km. The  city is in the center of Rwanda, with valleys and hills. The  city is  said to have been named by King Cyilima I Rungwe  after conquering Mount Kigali. Further, the international airport of Rwanda is also located there hence making  it the arrival point for tourists. Kigali city tour offers an unforgettable experience giving you a taste of Rwanda is  past ,artistic expression , culture  and life style. There are many tourist attractions, which are explained in this article.

Kigali Genocide Memorial.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial was set up in  remembrance of the 250,000 Tutsi  who were killed during the  Genocide in 1994.It was opened to the public in 1999. It serves as an educational center where visitors get to learn about the causes and effects of the Genocide,its also a mornment for those who lost their lives. There are mass Graves for the victims, Exhibition rooms with photographs of the dead and survivors of  the genocide, children Memorial which was set up to remember the young victims and a garden of reflection for visitors to pay their respects.

 For those interested in the Genocide event you can also visit Nyamata Genocide Memorial located at the former Nyamata church 30km south of Kigali. Here you will see the bullet holes in the ceiling, Blood stained altar cloths, clothings and identity cards of the Tutsi. 10,000 people were killed inside the church where they were seeking refuge.

Ntarama church is  a fomer catholic church located 25km south of Kigali in Bugesera district and  the estimated number of the people that were killed is 5000 who had sought refuge at the church.

Kimironka Market

Kimironka market is located in Kimiromko village  and it’s the largest and busiest market in Rwanda. The market is found in a well built warehouse with four main  entrances, The trade items are from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo.  The trade items include clothing’s, shoes, fruits, vegetables and its open Monday to Saturday. The  market gives you a chance to interact with the locals  and despite the fact that kimironka market is crowded, its safe hence making it a must visit while on your trip to Rwanda.

Kigali convention center.

The kigali convention center is an indicator of Rwanda’s progress in modern architecture. The centre acts as a  venue for international conferences, cultural events and exhibitions showcasing Rwanda is art and craft. The kigali convention centre is surrounded by wonderfully maintained gardens offering a peaceful  environment for relaxing after long busy day of work. Visitors can learn about the history of the centre by taking a free guided tour around it.

Inema art centre

Inema art centre is a modern art gallery and cultural center which was established by Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza in 2012. The center gives an opportunity for Rwandan artists to showcase their talent  through exhibitions that market their work, the art center has helped to promote the culture of Rwanda  by hosting cultural exhibitions. Inema art center  has community development programs such as Art with a mission for the youth interseted in art, Nziza artwork for empowering women by teaching them skills in carft making (Jewelry, and textile), Inema Dance troupe for  those interested in Music dance and Drama. Hence a must visit for art and culture enthusiasts.

Niyo Art Gallery

Niyo art gallery is located at 5KG 572 street in kigali which was established by Niyonsenga Pacified a former street child  with an aim of helping needy  children. The gallery has made a social impact through showcasing the modern African art and providing an area for art exhibitions. Further 40% of the profits made is given to the Niyo Foundation an organization that supports women and children. The center has a restaurant and cafe shop with a variety of foods and drinks. The gallery also organizes musical performances with traditional drumming and dances giving tourists an opportunity to interact with the locals in the surrounding community

Choose Kigali art gallery

The gallery is located in Kiyovu district and it was  founded by Emmanuel Nkuranga. Choose Kigali provides a unique food  cuisine experience in addition to its art exhibits. For those interested in going to Choose Kigali, note that they only accept reservations, guaranteeing each visitor a unique  experience. Regardless of your interests whether art, food, or just a unique cultural experience Choose Kigali skilfully combines the visual and culinary arts to produce a place that will never be forgotten.

 Nyamirambo Neighborhood

 Nyamirambo Neighborhood is one of the oldest  neighborhoods  found in the southwestern part of kigali city  with a big number of Muslims. It was established in 1920 in the Belgian colonial time. The neighborhood is well known for its lively nature, cultural diversity hence referring to it as the coolest  neighborhood offering visitors genuine insight into the lively city life of kigali.  The area has many markets, shops and eateries  and the streets are filled with graffiti showcasing creativity. Its a great place for shopping and a must try dish is the grilled tilapia.

Mount Kigali.

It is  located in Nyarugenge district in the western part of the city it is  said that the city was named after  Mount Kigali. The mount stands at an elevation of 1853m(6,079ft). It can be hiked by all people regardless of their physical fitness, the hike starts in Nyamirambo  and ends in the further north of the city. The higher vantage point offers breathtakings views of Kigali and the surroundjng areas with a natural refreshing  breeze. Other activties include Zip lining,Horse riding and Archery. Mount Kigali is a remarkable location for visitors in Kigali  because it offers a combination of historical value, outdoor adventure, and recreational activities.

Nyandungu Urban Wetland

Nyandungu Urban Wetland  is found in the outskirts of Kigali close to the airport. It was established on the 8 July 2022 with an aim of restoring the deteriorated wetland and turn it into an eco-park for educational purposes and enjoyment. It covers an area of 121.7hectares with pathways, bike lanes, gallery woods, medicinal plant gardens, ornamental ponds, cafes, and an information centre.  The activities done include guided nature walks, birdwatching hence a must visit for nature and bird lovers.

Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial

The memorial is some times referred to as the Camp Kigali memorial which was established to honour the Belgian united nations peacekeepers who were murdered on 7 April 1994 . They  were supposed to safeguard the Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana.The memorial Features 10 stone columns where each stone represents one fallen soldier.  The building with bullet holes where the peacekeepers were staying  is still there for visitors hence  offering them a chance to learn about the causes and effects of the murder of the Belgian peacekeepers Memorial.

 Amahoro Stadium

Amahoro Stadium is the biggest multi purpose venue located in Gasabo district. The word Amahoro means Peace and it was opened in 1986. In 1994 it served as a UN protection site where 12000 Tutsi sought refuge during the genocide. Today the stadium hosts football games, concerts and public meetings.  The  stadium also serves as the home of Rwandas national football team.The addition of commercial spaces, such as eateries and businesses, has  improved the tourists  experience.

Kandt House Museum

The Kandt House Museum is a historical museum located in Kigali, Rwanda, It is devoted to presenting the history of colonialism in Rwanda as well as the life of German explorer and first colonial governor Dr. Richard Kandt. The museum is housed in Kandt’s old home, which he constructed when he made Kigali the capital of Rwanda during German colonial control in the early 1900s. It’s a must visit for those interested in Rwanda’s colonial past