Location: Kigali
Top Things to do in Kigali
Countries
What to do and see in Kigali, Kigali Province: The Best Things to do
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. Kigali Genocide Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,713 reviews
A permanent National genocide memorial in remembrance of more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial is a place of remembrance and learning where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide have been laid to rest. Many people who lost loved ones in the Genocide visit to remember and grieve. There is no entrance fee and donations are gratefully accepted.
Reviewed By RefaatG
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a must visit. It is not for the faint hearted though. It at times graphically captures the period in time when about a million people were killed within 30 days. The quiet spaces around the memorial allows one to reflect on the atrocities in solitude, which is very helpful to help unwind from the emotional experience.
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. 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. Kimironko Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By liv2luv
What a fabulous slice of life in Kigali. A huge network of narrow dark aisles chock full of everyday items as well as food and souvenirs. There is fresh produce, buckets and sacks of grains and beans, live chickens and meats.....another area has electronics and hardware, another has piles and piles of shoes.....and then there is fabric from floor to ceiling and a battery of women sewing away on treadle machines making new custom clothing or alterations. Woven basketware, carved walking sticks and masks, T shirts, handbags and backpacks and anything else you might want to take home. This is where locals do their daily marketing and there is serious commerce being handled - while you stand around gawking, a guy with bunches of bananas or a sack of rice on his head is trying to get by with places to go! The closeness of everything and everyone is not for the faint-hearted - come with your game face and keep your valuables close to you at all times. If you are a group larger than 4, I would split up and arrange to meet outside somewhere after a set time. Women will approach you with ideas for dresses on their phones - young men will offer anything and everything you might be tempted to buy - talk to one and a swarm will follow you to see what you're looking for - treat all of it was a super fun way to shop and bargain!
6. 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!
7. Camp Kigali Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By 395ally - Johannesburg, South Africa
Small museum in the town on the site of the death of deaths of the Belgian soldiers guarding the Prime Minister in the first few hours of the Genocide. The bullet holed building brings the violence of the Genocide into perspective and the heavy calibre of the bullet holes dispels any illusions that the elimination of the political leaders was spontaneous! In many ways more frightening than the Genocide Museum itself as the violence it is in your face. Very definitely worth visiting.
8. Mt. Kigali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By odyekfred5 - Kigali, Rwanda
First time i visited with friends, and later with my clients, as its always part of my Kigali city tour after learning more about it. It gives you great overview of the city, and great stories. Number of vevet monkeys, however they tend to attack incase thry sense food staff with you. They saw our bananas and they came over, wanting to grab, my client was a fried but i step in and made her feel calm. Worth a visit if your around to souce your city tour. Those in need of guide, am available always to take your around
9. 1000 Hills Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Founded in 2014 by two gentlemen with a love of fine whisky, stunning views and a strong sense of pride in working with local communities, 1000 Hills Distillery was born. But like most great ideas, originally they thought of starting a vineyard, but lucky for us, they thought better! To be honest, it's a challenge to find high quality ingredients, but one of the reasons we chose Rwanda in addition to the amazing resilience of the country is that we could source materials locally, thus supporting micro and small businesses. Since our beginning we come to produce five unique Made in Rwanda, triple distilled liquors, such as a Coffee Liqueur, Vodka, Light Spiced Rum, London Dry Gin and Single Malt Whisky! Unlike most alcohol companies, social impact is at the heart of the company! To learn more, book a Distillery Tour! From all of us at 1000 Hills Distillery, please enjoy responsibly.
Reviewed By bodo64 - London, United Kingdom
Thoroughly recommend a trip to see this distillery high up in the hills overlooking Kigali, it has a real chilled vibe to the place with fantastic cocktails and excellent food. I was met by Hussain, who was delightfully engaging, and shown to the bar. After a quick g&t, I was introduced to Andrew who was equally engaging and my tour began. Andrew took me through the history and reasoning behind the business including the highs and the lows of starting a truly unique craft distillery in Rwanda. Andrew clearly knows his stuff on all aspects of the industry both local and international, a credit to the business. Andrew then talked me through the tasting stage, explaining each spirit in detail, 6 shots in total so drink plenty of water!! Included in the tour was also a cocktail from their menu, which was excellent. I decided to stay to eat and soak up those views, it was taco Tues and on Andrew recommendation, I opted for the chicken tacos. These were well presented and tasted very good indeed along with the fresh side salad and french fries. I then spent time talking with Hussain and discovered he had lived in Germany, bringing what he’d learnt from European business to Rwanda. Hussain is passionate about life, business and people, a true asset to the distillery and Rwanda. Before leaving, Hussain kindly arranged a local taxi ( Rwanda version of Uber) and ensured I wasn’t overcharged - brilliant!! Andrew, Hussain, thank you for your time and energy and fab conversation, I wish you both the very best in your future ventures.
