Kigali | 10 sights in the capital of Rwanda

In the heart of the country Rwanda is the capital Kigali. It is also the largest city in Rwanda with 1,7 million inhabitants. Kigali has many beautiful sights and is located at an altitude of 1500 m, surrounded by mountains. The international airport is located about 5 km outside the center, where planes from Brussels, among others, arrive. Many travelers will only visit the capital for a short time and are on their way to the rest of the country.

The city is big enough to spend a day exploring the sights, but remember there are a lot of hills so a car is recommended. Public transport is available, but motorcycles and taxis are most commonly used. You can find these everywhere and they are very affordable.

To give you an impression of Kigali, read this article about 10 sights you must see in the city.

1. Genocide Memorial

Many people know Rwanda from the genocide in 1994 Hutsi against the Tutsi (population groups) fought. In memory of this horrible event, a memorial was erected in 2004 (location here). It consists of a museum and is the place where 250.000 Genocide victims are buried in various mass graves.

The grounds consist of a large garden with one on which the names of the victims can be read. However, many victims have never been identified. The museum gives an impression of the intense, relatively recent history.

It is not allowed to take photos, but you can in the garden. You can visit the museum freely. It is possible to take an audio tour or walk through the museum section with a guide.

Also read: East Africa on a scooter | Part 6 | Kigali Genocide Memorial – Kabale

2. Downtown Kigali

Like every city, Kigali also has a center with a few high towers. In Dowtown Kigali most shops can be found there. The area is a sight in itself because it is clean and tidy. Walk through the car-free zone, which has been popular with locals and tourists for a few years now.

There are a few more expensive hotels close to downtown Kigali and here you can also find a special part of Kigali. Kigali looks very modern. Good roads, cycle paths and footpaths have been constructed.

3. Belgian Peacekeepers and Camp Kigali

On the first day of the Genocide, 10 Belgian UN soldiers were killed. They were in Rwanda to protect the president's house. The soldiers are commemorated at the Belgian Peacekeepers memorial, 10 concrete columns. The stripes on the columns show how old they were.

Furthermore, the residence of the Belgian UN soldiers can be visited (location here). Their stories can also be read here and the cannonballs from the attack are still visible on the walls. So this is the place where the soldiers died. You can visit the monument for free. It is difficult to find the entrance, but there is always someone around to help you.

4. Nyamirambo

This is a neighborhood (location here) which has undergone quite a remarkable change in the last few years. It used to be a deprived area of ​​Kigali, but it is now a hip area with many restaurants. Don't forget to buy your souvenirs at Nyamirambo women's center. From here you can also do tours where they take you into the neighborhood to learn more about it.

Since the Covid pandemic, two car-free streets have been created in the district, which are beautiful because of the different colors. ** what is meant here? ->*
made here, which are beautifully laid out with colors and restaurants started by local residents.

In Biryogo Car Free Food street (Location here) most restaurants can be found. It is especially busy after working hours and on weekends with locals enjoying games and food.

A little further away is the Children street (location here). All the murals were made here by the street children who live there. Walk through it and take beautiful pictures. This street is still relatively undiscovered and is skipped by many tourists.

5. Inema Arts Centre

Kigali is known for its many art galleries and these can be found throughout the city. Inema Arts Centre (Location here) has become one of the most famous because it is the largest in the city. Many internationally known artists have their work hanging here.

Furthermore, the garden and the bar located in it are worth visiting and having a drink.

6. Kigali Heights and Convention Center

When you see photos of Kigali, you will often see the convention center. All around it Convention Center (Location here) is a car-free zone, so the roundabout is also free of cars.

Next to it are two shopping centers with shops, supermarkets and restaurants. Here you have a view of the city and the Convention Center. In the evening it is beautifully illuminated in the colors of the flag of Rwanda.

7. Kimironko Market

Kimironko (Location here) is the local market where every resident of Kigali does their shopping. You can buy vegetables, fruit, clothing, shoes and have your clothes made in African fabrics.

Furthermore, the market is the perfect opportunity to buy your souvenirs. Don't forget to haggle, because that's very normal here.

8. Beer tasting

Recently there is a Rwandan beer brewery called Kweza Craft Beer (Location here). Beer is made here from ingredients from Rwanda and they work together with Rwandan women farmers who provide these ingredients.

You can do a beer safari where you can taste the different types of beer from the Rwandan brewery.

9. Hiking in Kigali

Since the city of Kigali is surrounded by mountains, it is the perfect opportunity to get out of the city and go for a walk. There are various options for this. There are private guides who will go hiking with you. There are also groups that go hiking in the mountains every Saturday morning. You pay a small amount for this.

From the surrounding mountains you have a beautiful view of the city of Kigali and the many banana plantations around it. Here you get the chance to see what local life is like.

10. Kigali EcoPark & ​​Culture Village

Also Nyandungu Wetland Eco-Tourism Park (Location here) has been open for one year. It is located in Kigali, near the airport, so not in the center of the city. It is a green, quiet oasis in the busy city. Perfect walking paths and cycle paths have been created and cars are not allowed to drive there.

You can easily spend an entire afternoon in this park walking around or having lunch in the small restaurant.