Kigali City, Rwanda, Africa

Basic Facts - Kigali City, Rwanda

Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. The city has been Rwanda's economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became capital at independence in 1962. The city hosts the main residence and offices of the President of Rwanda and government ministries. The city is within the province of Kigali City, which was enlarged in January 2006, as part of local government reorganisation in the country. Kigali's city limits cover the whole province; it is consolidated. The city's urban area covers about 70% of the municipal boundaries. To understand the people in Rwanda, you really have to understand their history and there is no better way to learn about Rwanda’s past than by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The visit only takes a few hours but it is bound to have a profound effect on the rest of your trip.

Location Map View Kigali City on Google Maps

More About Kigali City

The city of Kigali was founded in 1907 by German administrator and explorer Richard Kandt. Rwanda and neighbouring Burundi had been assigned to Germany by the Berlin Conference of 1884, and Germany established a presence in the country in 1897 with the formation of an alliance with the king, Yuhi V Musinga. Kandt arrived in 1899, exploring Lake Kivu and searching for the source of the Nile. When Germany decided in 1907 to separate the administration of Rwanda from that of Burundi, Kandt was appointed as the country's first Resident. He chose to make his headquarters in Kigali due to its central location in the country, and also because the area afforded good views and security. Kandt built himself a house in Nyarugenge, the first European-style house in the city, which remains in use today as the Kandt House Museum of Natural History. Despite a German ordinance written in 1905, which prohibited "non-indigenous natives" from entering Rwanda, Kandt began permitting the entry of Indian traders in 1908, which allowed commercial activity to begin in Rwanda in 1908. The first businesses were established in Kigali that year by Greek and Indian merchants, with assistance from Baganda and Swahili people. Items traded included cloth and beads. However, commercial activity was limited and there were only around 30 firms in the city by 1914. Kandt also opened government-run schools in Kigali, which began educating Tutsi students.

Places of Interest Kigali, Rwanda

To understand the people in Rwanda, you really have to understand their history and there is no better way to learn about Rwanda’s past than by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is true that the Kigali Memorial Centre Genocide Memorial is not known for its beauty; it is a plain, modern building surrounded by gardens, and, marking the site of one of the largest massacres, there sits a concrete mass of graves. However, this is a significant and heart-rending site which should not be missed. The exhibition here is both shocking and thought provoking, and attempts to piece together the causes and events of the three-month genocide which destroyed Rwanda in 1994.

No visit to Rwanda would be complete without a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which, through education and peace-building, honours the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994. 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. Thousands of first-hand accounts are documented, and personal film footage and photography is showcased, illustrating the collection of events in a simple and striking way. 99.9% of the Rwandan population were affected by the horrific violence of the genocide, a dark past which makes the present friendliness and goodwill of the country’s locals all the more inspiring.

The visit only takes a few hours but it is bound to have a profound effect on the rest of your trip. Noted as a place for ‘remembrance and learning,’ the Kigali Genocide Memorial remembers the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. In addition to the memorial, the space also has an incredibly informative museum that leads visitors through the events and historical implications of the genocide. For more information regarding Kigali Genocide, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.

One of Kigali’s most bustling markets, the colours, the smells, and the noise at Kimironko is almost overwhelming. Selling everything from kitenge fabric and avocados to baskets and secondhand shoes, this market requires several hours of exploration. Kimironko Market is a wonderful place to find all that you need to take along with you during your safari in Rwanda or what you may need to take with you from Africa after your wonderful safari stay in Rwanda. Such an amazing place to have an opportunity to interact with the local venders, who are busy selling all sorts of human needs, ranging from food staffs, clothing’s, household utensils, art and crafts, African wears and much more.A good market to get fresh food stuff.

A typical East African market where you can bargain and pay an agreed price for what you choose. The Kimironko market is busy through day out, till late at night. Kimironko Market, located in the Kimironko neighborhood of Kigali, is the busiest market in town. Vendors here sell produce from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while locals from all over the city head here to stock up on fruit, vegetables, fabric, clothing, shoes, and general household necessities. This is the place to experience Rwanda at its liveliest.

The iconic Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), is the premium events venue in Rwanda since its opening in 2016 and a hugely popular MICE destination in the East African region. It is one of Kigali’s most iconic buildings, and an architectural feat, the Convention Centre was completed in 2016. The multifaceted design reflects a true Rwandan homestead. The dome shape Auditorium, reproduces a hut in the Kings Palace and boasts a capacity of 2600 guests, whereas, the hotel architectural façade replicates a traditional and colourful weaved basket. Despite this nod to the past the centre also boasts cutting-edge technology, high speed internet, and audio-visual equipment’s expected of a world class facility. Check it out at night when it displays the colours of Rwanda’s flag.

Kigali Convention Centre is the the leading destination for events in Rwanda. Its unique design integrates all the facilities and functional technology with a clear reference to the culture and traditions of Africa. The Kigali Convention Centre is situated in the heart of the city with easy access to Kigali International Airport as well as corporate, government and diplomatic mission offices. Getting to the Convention Centre is fast and convenient with its location just 5 km away from the city center and 5 km away from Kigali International Airport. It is now rated as the No.1 event venue in Kigali and throughout Rwanda, offering a premium environment for regional and international conventions, exhibitions, festivals, meetings and other events.

Inema Art Center is one of East African's major art galleries, housing a collection of artists from around the African Continent. Founded in 2012 by brothers and self-taught painters Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, Inema Arts Center spurs creativity for personal, social and economic growth. Nkurunziza and Nkuranga started Inema in order. Located in the heart of Kigali City, Inema Arts Center has become a beacon in Rwanda for cultivating creative expression. Inema Arts Center is a collective of Rwandan creative artists. At its core, Inema Arts Center provides space for 10 artists in residence to explore their creative talent.

Specializing in contemporary African Arts, Crafts, Music, and Dance. Inema's artists produce paintings, sculptures, and mixed media expressions showcased in, the Gallery at Inema Arts Center. The Center is home to programmes, projects, and initiatives that expand creative arts in Rwanda. Through workshops, trainings, and hands-on classes, the Inema Arts Center provides a space to fuel creative expression.

Ubumwe Grande Hotel, a superior four-star Hotel know for offering international standards, is located in the business hub of Kigali. From the hotel, you can enjoy true Rwandan hospitality and the most stunning views of this vibrant African city. A beautiful infinity roof top pool as well our executive gym allow you to stay fit, whilst the roof top terrace, overlooking Kigali, invites you enjoy a meal or one of our refreshing cocktails. The hotel has one of Kigali’s best views can be found at the top of the Ubumwe Grande Hotel. Open all day, visitors and residents alike flock to the hotel’s bar for a spectacular snapshot of Kigali from above.

There are a number of smart shopping malls in Kigali city centre with some chic boutiques and coffee shops. But if you’re after something more authentic, take a stroll around one or two of its lively markets, you'll usually be met with great friendliness. If you like browsing for curios and souvenirs from your Rwanda holiday, pay a visit to the Caplaki handicrafts cooperative, which sells a variety of local crafts. Alternatively, the lively Nyamirambo area of Kigali is regarded as the most vibrant quarter of the city, known for its excellent tailors and hair salons, as well as its many bars and cafes. As with any city, take care if visiting at night but during the daytime, Nyamirambo Women’s Centre offers interesting walking tours around their neighbourhood that takes in their own craft shop, a typical Rwandan meal and the local market too.

AfriChoice operates a wide range of carefully designed tours and safaris to Kigali City by providing transport and booking a hotel for you. Our safari consultants will always be at your assistance should you need a tailor-made holiday to this unique destination. NB: For more information regarding Kigali City, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.