Top Things to do in Rwanda
Countries
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Rwanda, Rwanda
Discover the best top things to do in Rwanda, Rwanda including Lakeside Fish Farm, The Royal Palace, Ntarama Church, Nyamata Church, Iby'iwacu Cultural Village, Saint-Famille Church, The Palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp, Yego Arts studio, Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine.
Restaurants in Rwanda
1. Lakeside Fish Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Lakeside Farm is one hour from Kigali and we are open for visitors. Many come for a tour of the hatchery, our wide range of animals and our organic farm. Others come for overnight get-aways. We have a guesthouse and a fantastic campground.
Reviewed By emilyr246 - Chicago, United States
My family loves to visit Lakeside Fish Farm. It’s an easy camping adventure because we can order a delicious fish dinner, and the team there sets up the tent and even starts the campfire for us. Everytime we visit we greet the pigeons, pigs, goats, chickens, and lungfish, and spend a lot of time sitting with guinea pigs and rabbits, and playing with the friendly dogs. Last time we also held the baby goats and baby turkeys! We enjoyed the walk past all the fish ponds and gardens, and learned a lot with our tour of the special fish tanks. We got to kayak on the lake. The kids also loved swings and slack line. I’d definitely recommend visiting Lakeside for a fun family overnight out of Kigali!
2. The Royal Palace
3. Ntarama Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
This site of the April 1994 massacre has been declared a genocide memorial. It remains a solemn tribute to those who were slain, the bones and belongings of the dead still lying among the aisles and the altar.
Reviewed By TimKNottingham
Our guide gave a gentle and thoughtful tour of this site of a former church and ancillary buildings where hundreds of men, women and children were slaughtered during the 1994 genocide. Truly horrendous acts of needless violence happened here, but visiting is an essential part of paying respect.
4. Nyamata Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
Reviewed By C3965HGpeterh
We had already visited the main genocide memorial in the capital of Rwanda, and found that experience extremely moving. But a few days later, we made a trip to Bugesera Province, and stopped at the Nyamata Church, and found the experience almost overwhelming, but at the same time, you could do nothing but feel to your core that it is our duty to bear witness to the horrible events that happened there. The main genocide memorial in the capital of Rwanda is a well-curated exhibit, with lots to see, and also the burial site for hundreds of thousands of the genocide victims. At Nyamata Church, you feel less that you are at a "memorial," and more that you are stepping into a crime scene--- because you are. The clothing remains of the numerous victims are stacked in the pews of the church, the bullet holes and the damage to the entrance of the church from grenades and crow bars to pry open the metal gates are still visible, and less you have any doubts about what happened there, you can, and should, descend to the lower vault where the skeletal remains of hundreds if not thousands of victims are visible. Rwanda is a young, vibrant country with a lot of promise and potential, and we were really glad we spend a significant portion of our first trip to Africa there. The genocide that happened in 1994 is part of is a tragic part of the country's history, but we were impressed, the more we read, about the extensive efforts since then that the country has undertaken for forgiveness and reconciliation. There is still a lot of trauma rippling through the country, and we only saw small glimpses of it as visitors. But the world's tourists should be coming to visit Rwanda, a beautiful country, and yes, be sure to bear witness to the worst that can happen if you stoke hatred, ethnic division, and combine it with the general indifference of the rest of the world.
5. Iby'iwacu Cultural Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By C001 - Lincoln, United States
I cannot believe my travel agent didn’t put this on my travel agenda. It was a last minute, this place has good reviews, I should check it out. Oh my this is a MUST DO!!!! I learned so much and was entertained and why does everyone is Rwanda treat visitors like a cross between the Queen of England and Beyoncé. I felt so welcome every single place I went. I was there during Covid and the covid protocols might be a hassle but it was so incredibly safe and comfortable there and people compiled and I never felt one second unsafe but some of the activities are modified. Even with the modified activities here, no banana beer tasting, it was SO MUCH FUN and educational. I would have missed out on so much history and understanding of Rwanda itself and their conservation efforts if I had not made this visit. Highest recommendation. Ask you travel agent to include it!!!!!
6. Saint-Famille Church
7. The Palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa
8. Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By YM780 - Paris, France
A very nice hike to discover the story of Dian Fossey. The trail is muddy but not very difficult. Our guide (provided with the permit at the park) was really interesting. We were lucky and we saw a gorilla from far away.
9. Yego Arts studio
10. Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By roamingGiggles - Nairobi, Kenya
It's a quiet and lovely place for prayer and reflection. Situated on top of the many hills in Rwanda. You may require the local bus shuttle services incase you get stuck (like we did). At the time the road was under construction. It rained most of the time. Books and videos about the history of shrine are available for sale at the offices behind the church. The Statue of Lady Kibeho is also found there, where Mary is believed to have first appeared. The isoko is found at the bottom of the hill. P.s. if you believe enough you might get lucky to see Mary. During our visit, the sun changed colours and Mary emerged from it. Others say they also saw her down at the isoko. Visit and experience your own miracles.
