GUIDE ON KIGALI IN RWANDA

Travel Planning Guide For Kigali City

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Planning a trip to the beautiful, hilly country of Rwanda usually means landing and leaving from its capital, Kigali. Surrounded by picturesque rolling hills, this city is a thriving, bustling metropolis of about a million people. Located in the center of the country, it’s the perfect springboard for travels to Rwanda’s excellent safari parks and wilderness reserves. Whether you are spending a few days in Kigali for business or for pleasure, you will be impressed by the tranquil ambience of the town metropolis, its cleanliness, and the well-maintained gardens set in the city squares. Trees line the roads and avenues, and the friendly, welcoming character of the people will touch your heart.



Before you travel on to see some of Rwanda’s well-known attractions, such as the famed mountain gorillas at the Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans), it’s worth taking some time to explore what Kigali has to offer. Rwanda has had a turbulent history, part of which is enshrined in the sanctified memorials to genocide victims in its capital city. Visitors to the country are often perplexed when they think back to those horrific 100 days in 1994, when close to a million innocents lost their lives to misdirected violence; it seems such an unlikely occurrence in a country where the people are so warm and caring.

The memorials you can visit in Kigali will answer many of your questions about how people can be misled, to the point of horrific violence, by malicious political propaganda. Tour the Kigali Genocide Museum, Nyamata Church, Ntarama Church, Nyanza Genocide Memorial, and the Camp Kigali Belgian Monument, which together are a testament to the spirit of forgiveness and resilience that is helping the local people rebuild their shattered community and country.



Rwanda is progressing well. As you drive around the city you will notice modern developments and many new buildings that are striking in their dynamic and contemporary design. Notice the smart commercial complexes, happening nightspots, the pulsating fusion of music and dance, and swank hotels and restaurants that charm visitors with their ambience and global cuisines. Each of these help make Kigali a pleasurable place to visit for a refined urban holiday.



Perhaps spend some of your vacation time delighting in the exciting and fascinating culture of Rwanda. The country is home to three ethnic tribes: the Bahutu, Batutsi, and Batwa. Traditionally, each one had a unique role to play in society, and all have their own forms of creative and performing arts. For instance, The Dancing Pots is a center for showcasing the art and dances of the Batwa people. We also recommend taking time to visit other cultural centers, including the Inema Art Gallery, Ivuka Arts Studio, Niyo Art Gallery, and the Caplaki Handicrafts Cooperative, where you can buy souvenirs for your family and friends. Look for intricately carved woodwork, woven baskets, fascinating tribal masks, exquisite ceramics and pottery, and so much more.

Enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of upmarket suburban areas such as Kacyiru, Gasabo, Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, and Nyarutarama and its golf course. The Muslim neighborhood of Nyamirambo, which is located close to the main hub of the city, is yet another interesting place you must visit.