Kigali City

Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city since the country’s independence in 1962. The city is fast growing to catch up with its neighbors of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The city extends across several hills with a good road connection to every part of the country. First-time visitors to this beautiful city often remark how clean the streets are, a matter of pride across every community throughout the country. The city boasts a population of more than 1million people yet it is recognized as one of the cleanest cities in Africa. The city was initially established as an administrative post in 1907 by the Belgium colonial government. The capital’s business centers are found on the Nyarugenge hill while the government and administrative quarter is situated on the gentle slopes of Kacyiru hill.

The city has a spot for everyone with upmarket and modern dining places around the squares and along the highways, an 18 hole golf course bordered by the majestic Lake Nyarutarama (lover’s lake). The track along the lake is peaceful and offers a great opportunity for Urban nature walks. The city is growing at a fast pace with shopping malls, office buildings and the Kigali Convention Centre spanning above the hills. A visit to this magnificent city would not be complete without a tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place that is dedicated to the memory of millions that were massacred in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. The memorial stands as a symbol of hope for the survivors with the slogan of Ubumwe meaning Unity.

What to DO In Kigali City

Kigali City is one of the cleanest African cities with an aim to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore the city’s green theme offers visitors with a peaceful ambiance for nature walks intertwined with modern living and shopping facilities.

URBAN NATURE WALKS; The track along the Nyarutarama Lake offers beautiful scenic and panoramic views of the city. The lake commonly termed as lover’s lake is a peaceful haven for taking strolls and beautiful sunset views. Besides, the water front, there are several car free zones within the city like Imbuga City Car free zone where one can take a stroll or jump on a bicycle for a beautiful city life experience.

VISIT THE GENOCIDE MEMORIAL; This is memorial establishment was set as a remembrance ground for the genocide survivors to remember the horrors that the country of Rwanda went through during the tribal war against Tutsi in 1994. Through education and peace-building, the site honors the memory of the more than one million Rwandans that were killed. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful educational tool for visitors.

SHOPPING AND DINING; Kigali city boosts a variety of high end dinning and shopping centers. One can take a stopover for lunch in one of these eating points which offer beautiful panoramic views of the city. A visit to the Kigali Convention Centre will give you a sneak peek into how dramatically the city has developed.

How To Get To Kigali

A flight to Kigali International Airport will only leave you at the doorway to the beautiful Kigali City. From there you can get a transfer using public means of transport or booking private means that will take you straight to the bustling city Centre of Kigali. Coming from the neighboring East African countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania or DR Congo, you can take the bus through the border entry points and with a two to three hours’ drive, you will be at the heart of Rwanda, Kigali.

Where To Stay In Kigali

Being a city Centre, Kigali is blessed with numerous hotels, motels and lodges that cater to all kinds of budgets. Whether you crave luxury or budget, Kigali has you covered with its multiple accommodation facilities. Some of the highly sought after facilities include; Kigali Marriot Hotels, Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel and Soy Asian Table among many others.