Location: Kigali
Top Things to do in Kigali
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10 Art Galleries in Kigali That You Shouldn't Miss
Inhabited since the 11th-century, what is now Kigali has been the home of Twas, Tutsis and Hutus. The city sits on a series of verdant ridges and lush valleys, and has a Muslim Quarter and a bustling market. Rwanda's capital is the site of battles that left over a million, mostly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, dead. Kigali Memorial Centre is a permanent memorial to 1994's Genocide, built on a mass grave where 250,000 are buried. Kigali City Tour Bus offers an excellent introduction to this now safe, friendly city.
Restaurants in Kigali
1. Tongo Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Tongo is a small contemporary art gallery offering unique professional paintings and stylish jewelry and accessories with an African flair. Showcasing the works of painter Joe Mukuna and designer Sarah Manion - Tongo is unlike anything else offered in Kigali's art scene. In addition to fine art, Tongo offers art classes for adults, commissioned art, murals and more. Come visit our quaint space located on the main road across from Intersec Security headquarters. We welcome you to our space and can't wait for your visit! Please contact us directly for any questions.
2. Niyo Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 178 reviews
Niyo Arts center, is a collection of Rwandan creative artists and also hosts different artists from the region. we provide a space for 13 artists in residence to explore their creative talents. contemporary African art works, Music and Dance going with Drumming. Niyo Art Gallery is also dedicated to supporting street children and single mothers living in poverty in Rwanda. Our aim is to change lives through utilizing our artistic gifts - allowing us to provide basic necessities, such as education, health care, shelter, food etc. Our founder NIYONSENGA Pacifique has delved into a humanitarian visionary, bottomless barrel of music and art through multiple mediums in his decades-spanning practice. He expresses the very essence of every particular theme in a simple yet sensual and fascinating technique. According to Niyosenga, art and music help youth serve as evidence that something as easy as a beat of the drum contributes to the fight against global poverty.
Reviewed By africanaddict - Kigali, Rwanda
This is a lovely art gallery very close to the US Embassy and the Kigali Public Library - an easy walk from either location. When we visited, Niyo (founder/owner) of the gallery was there and shared with us his story and the history of the gallery. 40% of the proceeds from sales of paintings goes back into the Niyo Foundation for working with street kids. The gallery carries quite a few artists - across the range from those more on the beginner's end of the spectrum, all the way to artists who are very advanced and talented. It's a joy to walk through and look at all the art, and learn a bit about the various artists whom we fancied. They ship around the world, so don't be concerned about suitcase space. Well worth the trip!
3. Mothaland Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Mothaland arts, its a collective of contemporary and local arts. we offer artistic services like body arts( tattoos and piercings), we are well equipt with profesional tools and an artist who has years of experience in the field. we also do portraits in oil on canvas, and we have other paintings done by local artists and crafts for sell in our shop aswell. visit us to see for yourself. we are located in gacuriro on KG 424 Street, near tigo, on the road that goes to kagugu. we also close to aberdeen hotel. we hope to see you soon!
4. Abien Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Abien art is a short name of Akimana Fabien artist and this make a word in french " bien" means good or fine "abien arts" mean fine art or good art. Abien arts is coolest space to be weather you want, to stay or if you want to exchange Culture and share experience in Rwanda. It's place for Relaxing and culture activities. We're a first Arts center culture in Rwanda. We aimed to build our society
Reviewed By niyigenan
I met Fabiane he is the CEO Director and founder he is also amezing artist , They have nice paintings, craft and photography on display
5. Kigali Center for Photography
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Established by Jacques Nkinzingabo , The center aims to explore and promote Rwandan and foreign photography, support emerging Rwandan artists and explore beyond the medium. The Kigali Center of photography is entirely to offer free services to local photographers. These include arranging workshops and exhibitions, on top of offering residencies to visiting international photographers and scholars
6. Talking Through Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Welcome to TTA! Beautiful art gallery with unique basket designs, all made by women with physical disabilities. Stay a little longer and learn how to make a basket in our lovely garden, or inside the gallery. We will make you a cup of Rwandan coffee or tea :) Check out for our walking tour as well! We will show you around our lovely neighborhood full of stunning views.
Reviewed By Beerenkind - Mozambique Island, Mozambique
If you want to get an insight into the daily life of Rwandans and explore hidden streets you would probably never come across alone, then the Walking Tour organized by TTA is the perfect thing for you to do. I enjoyed every minute of the tour which took us around 3 hours. Placide, who has lived his whole life in the local neighorhood (the area is called Gikondo), and Hazel, a current volunteer, guided us through the small streets of the area and pointed out many interesting things I didn´t know before. We made quite a few stops (local market, women´s cooperative, art gallery,...) and tasted local food/drinks (sugar cane, sambusas, milk bar). In the end we had lunch at TTA, where you could also meet the members of TTA, mostly women with physical disabilities, who weave incredibly beautiful baskets. The atmosphere at TTA is simply great and they make you feel welcome from the first minute on. I can totally recommend a visit while you are in Kigali!
7. Choose Kigali Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
Art, Comfort, Adventure. Located in Kiyovu, the historic heart of the city, Choose Kigali is at its core a creative space. This space includes several floors of open gallery that will feature a rotating slate of Africa's latest contemporary art. Our boutique residence is alongside the gallery at Choose Kigali. We have two group suites. Each suite consists of a master with en-suite bathroom, as well as two additional bedrooms with a shared bath. Each private suite is perfect for a family, group of friends, or business travelers, looking to break away from a traditional hotel environment. The rooms are filled with the latest in contemporary art and beautiful views of the city. With only two suites, the space is extremely private. The rooms are perfect for an overnight in Kigali or an extended stay. Whether you’re staying with us, or just in for the day, we’re also now offering adventures. We’re thrilled to give our clients access to the city and country in a way only we can provide.
Reviewed By ryano911
This was the best meal I've had in Kigali after being in Rwanda for 6 months. Being from Los Angeles, I've had a lot of exclusive restaurant experiences and this was on par with the best. Emmanuel (the owner) and his brothers were amazing hosts plus world class Chef, Treasure made exceptional food. The best part about Choose Kigali is that it's an entire experience of art, food, culture and good company. Must Do experience of you are in Kigali!
8. Ivuka Arts Kigali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Ivuka Arts Center was the first of the kind space in Rwanda which opened its doors to the public with a major objective of discovering and nurturing local artistic talent.
Reviewed By 700jeannec - Medford, United States
We really enjoyed this art gallery. The founders/owners were warm and welcoming and the art work is just beautiful. Two floors of rooms of amazingly talented artists pieces. Also, a cute little cafe for tea or coffee. We highly recommend you stop by while in Kigali.
9. Inema Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 687 reviews
Founded in 2012 by brothers and self-taught painters Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, the Inema Arts Centre's mission is to spur creativity for personal, social, and economic growth.At its core, Inema provides space for 10 artists-in-residence to explore their creative talent. Specialising in contemporary african art, Inema's artists produce painting, sculpture, and mixed media expressions, all of which is showcased at the Gallery at Inema Arts Center.Inema is also home to the following- Nziza Artworks, featuring bespoke jewelry, African linens and leatherworks made by women at the onsite Nziza Workshop- Art with a Mission, training children with limitted resources art to give them livelihood;- Inema Dance, our youth cultural dance troupe, Inema art center provides a room for weekly traditional dance classes to the experts .Inema is open daily from 8AM to 8 PM, located in Kigali in the suburb of Kacyiru on KG 563 Street. Contact www.choosekigali.com for accommodations & Tour
Reviewed By 570jeffersonm
Visit - and visit again! Few places in Kigali bring out the full potential of art to connect people and build community like Inema. This place is not just a gallery, it is a meeting point, an education space, a venue for music & events, and more. The brothers who operate Inema are wonderfully warm hosts. Because they are always around, you will often get a chance to learn more about the impressive artwork on display in the two-story gallery. There is so much happening at Inema that shows the artists' creativity goes well beyond their artworks. If you are just visiting, Inema is a must-seee destination, and if you are someone who lives in the area or are familiar with expat communities, you will know how valuable a community space like Inema is. Check out what is happening on their upcoming schedule and be sure to visit several times, especially the weekly Happy Hour that happens on Thursdays and is usually catered by a local restaurant. Inema's bar makes excellent signature cocktails!
10. Kigali Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Kigali arts center is a hub of creative minds, founded by two former nyundo arts school (Ecole d'Arts de Nyundo) students KABANDANA Casmir and Fabrice GIRIHIRWE. The kigali arts center's mission is to expand and stimulate creativity for individuals, community and economic growth. kigali arts center provides space to talented artists specializing in contemporary african art. They produce paintings, Illustrations, sculpture and mixed media expressions and all works are displayed at the gallery at kigali arts center. Also you will find Books, Crafts, creative toys for kids and we serve all industries in different creative work. Kigali arts center provides a space to both beginners and professionals at the studio to express their ideas artistically. Kigali arts center is open daily from 8AM to 9PM ,it is located at kacyiru KG 649 st house 58
