Guide to Kigali City; Rwanda’s Capital
Kigali City; Rwanda’s Capital: Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda. It is one of the East African countries which is also popular for having activities that they organize well. the country has clean towns and strict laws for the good of the country. Kigali is in the center of Rwanda in Kigali province. A German administrator and explorer Richard Kandt founded Kigali in 1907. Kigali City; Rwanda’s Capital became the capital city after independence in 1962. It is strategically situated on Nyarugenge Hill where it offers the most magnificent views of the surrounding including the neighboring.
Kigali city has several memorial sites where you can have an experience of the harsh history of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The genocide claimed approximately 1,000,000 people. A city tour around Rwanda’s capital exposes you to the hospitable people of Rwanda. It also exposes you to their culture, food, and the beautiful towers in the city. Serenity, comfort, beauty, and cool weather define the capital of Rwanda.
There are three major tribes in Rwanda; the Tutsi, the Hutu, and the Twa. In Kigali town, you’ll hear people speak different languages but mainly French, Kinyarwanda, English, and Kiswahili.
The smart city
Kigali is the largest and the fastest-growing town in Rwanda. It is popular as the neatest town in Africa. Also, you will admit this when you visit. Then, you can compare it with the rest of the towns in Africa that you have visited before. Yes, it is a clean town and you won’t see litter around. Consequently, authorities do not permit using plastic bags, but rather the use of paper bags. Kigali town has well-developed and established financial services and facilities. The currencies they use here for transactions are Rwanda Francs and US dollars.
Accessibility and Transport in Kigali City; Rwanda’s Capital
The city of Kigali also has good transportation infrastructures and comfortable means of transport. Kigali International Airport is the main airport which you find in the southeastern part of Kigali. Rwanda’s flag carrier is Rwandair. However, many other airline companies serve Kigali International Airport. These include Kenya Airways, Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines among others. Good roads connect the airport to the rest of the town. the roads connect to hotels, memorial sites, and other locations. Also, the roads connect to national parks, borders, villages, and other provinces. Several coach companies serve different countries in the neighborhood of Rwanda. The countries they serve include Uganda, Burundi, and the DRC among others.
Highlights of Kigali City; Rwanda’s Capital
Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
The government constructed this memorial site in commemoration of the 1994 Genocide of Rwanda. This place has the remains of 250,000 people. They lost their lives during the genocide and the survivors buried them here. This place has attracted a lot of tourists and students. They wish to understand how this happened and how genocide affected the country. Relatives and friends of the victims whom they buried also visit the memorial site to show love to the people the survivors buried here. The memorial center has a visitor’s center and a permanent exhibition. The exhibition consists of the genocidal violence around the world and a children’s memorial.
Other genocide memorial sites in Rwanda include the Gisozi Memorial Site, the Gisenyi Memorial Site, and the Muramba Memorial Site. Also, there is the Bisesero Memorial Site, Nyanza Memorial Site, Ntamara Memorial Site, and Nyarubuye Memorial Site.
Hotel Mille des Collines
This hotel is famous and historical because several Tutsi survived the genocide because they hid there. They hid here with the help of a man called Mr. Paul Rusesabagina. The hotel is also popular as Hotel Rwanda and the movie Hotel Rwanda was based on this scenario of how it was a life-saving place for many.
Kandt house museum
Kandt House Museum was the home of the first Belgian colonialist in Rwanda, Richard Kandt. He also founded Kigali City; Rwanda’s Capital. It was formerly known as the Natural History Museum and later on changed to the Kandt House Museum of Natural History. This aimed at remembering the work of Richard Kandt.
Belgian Soldiers’ Memorial Site
Many Belgian soldiers who were providing security to Madame Agathe Uwiligiyimana, the wife of President Habyarimana were killed there. As they were shooting at the Belgian soldiers, Madame Agathe could not survive the bullets. Up to now, the bullet holes still exist at the site.
Presidential palace museum
This is where you’ll find the remains of the plane of Rwanda’s former president Habyarimana. His assassination increased grudges between the Tutsi and Hutu leading to the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
Sainte-Famille church
Many Hutu and Tutsi went to hide at this Catholic Church during the genocide. However, the priest at the Church was involved in the killing of these people by the armed Hutu killers. After this scenario, many people converted to Islam.
The gorilla statue
The highlight for most travelers to Rwanda is gorilla trekking Rwanda. Tourists do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. A statue of two gorillas, male and female is at the roundabout in the center of Kigali city. This is to show something they boast about that many don’t have.
Apart from historical sites, Kigali has many more areas. You can make memories of your Rwanda safari while in Kigali in these areas. They diversify the entire experience of the safari, you can include Nyarugenge Hill and Kacyiru Hill. Also, you can visit Nyaturama Lake for adventure and scenic viewing. Meanwhile, you can also visit Kigali Arts Center and Inema Arts Center for arts and crafts. Also, you can visit Kimironko market, Kigali cultural village, and House of Tayo. In these places, you can go shopping and areas such as Inzora rooftop café for hangouts. Book with us for an outstanding Kigali tour and Gorilla experience.
Kigali hotels
Accommodations in Kigali include; Five to Five Hotel, Hotel des Milles Collines, and Heaven Boutique Hotel. Also, you can stay at Heaven Retreat, Kigali Serena Hotel, Golf Hills Residence, and Ubumwe Grande Hotel. There’s also the Marriot Hotel Kigali and The Manor Hotel among others. Most accommodations in Kigali prepare both local and international cuisines. Also, they have serene environments and friendly staff to satisfy your accommodation needs.
