Kigali

Kigali is popular with long-term expats as a clean, comfortable, and orderly city, and the city is teeming with westerners, ranging from young church or NGO volunteers seeking their first African ‘experience’ to career development workers seeking a relaxed lifestyle in which it is safe to raise young children. As a result, the city has a plethora of eateries, coffee shops, and supermarkets catering to this group. The drawback of Kigali’s international reputation is that it’s easy to forget you’re in Africa.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre is one of numerous monuments, museums, and institutions devoted to the Rwandan Genocide in Kigali. The Kandt House Museum of Natural History is another museum worth seeing.

The city features international-class hotels, several of which have played historical roles:

The Kiyovu area’s Mille Collines. As memorably shown in the film Hotel Rwanda, this hotel became a refugee center during the genocide. It’s also the location for Quebecer Gil Courtemanche’s classic book Un dimanche à la piscine à Kigali and its film adaption Un dimanche à Kigali.

The InterContinental Kigali was once known as the Kigali Serena Hotel. The hotel was briefly seen in the second part of Hotel Rwanda, when it was a Belgian-owned hotel called as Hotel Diplomates. In 2003, it was purchased by the InterContinental Hotels Group and refurbished.

Kigali is popular with long-term expats as a clean, comfortable, and orderly city, and the city is teeming with westerners, ranging from young church or NGO volunteers seeking their first African ‘experience’ to career development workers seeking a relaxed lifestyle in which it is safe to raise young children. As a result, the city has a plethora of eateries, coffee shops, and supermarkets catering to this group. The drawback of Kigali’s international reputation is that it’s easy to forget you’re in Africa.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre is one of numerous monuments, museums, and institutions devoted to the Rwandan Genocide in Kigali. The Kandt House Museum of Natural History is another museum worth seeing.

The city features international-class hotels, several of which have played historical roles:

The Kiyovu area’s Mille Collines. As memorably shown in the film Hotel Rwanda, this hotel became a refugee center during the genocide. It’s also the location for Quebecer Gil Courtemanche’s classic book Un dimanche à la piscine à Kigali and its film adaption Un dimanche à Kigali.

The InterContinental Kigali was once known as the Kigali Serena Hotel. The hotel was briefly seen in the second part of Hotel Rwanda, when it was a Belgian-owned hotel called as Hotel Diplomates. In 2003, it was purchased by the InterContinental Hotels Group and refurbished.

The city is situated amid mountainous terrain, spanning four peaks and the valleys between them. The city center is on one of these hills, while the major government district is on the other. The ridge tops average 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) in height, while the lowlands are approximately 1,300 meters (4,270 ft). The wealthier individuals dwell in the valleys, while the larger mansions and office buildings are on the peaks’ summits. The city is surrounded by higher hills for the most part, with some suburban sprawl creeping up them. Mt. Kigali, at 1,850 meters (6,075 feet) above sea level, is the tallest of them.

The city is situated amid mountainous terrain, spanning four peaks and the valleys between them. The city center is on one of these hills, while the major government district is on the other. The ridge tops average 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) in height, while the lowlands are approximately 1,300 meters (4,270 ft). The wealthier individuals dwell in the valleys, while the larger mansions and office buildings are on the peaks’ summits. The city is surrounded by higher hills for the most part, with some suburban sprawl creeping up them. Mt. Kigali, at 1,850 meters (6,075 feet) above sea level, is the tallest of them.

Kigali International Airport is a modest, well-organized airport with few difficulties. Because plastic bags are prohibited in Rwanda due to environmental concerns, you should only carry reusable bags with you.

• KLM has flights to Kigali from Amsterdam.
• Brussels Airlines has flights to Kigali from Brussels.
• Kenya Airways has three flights a day from Nairobi.
• Ethiopian Airlines has daily flights from Addis Ababa.
• Rwandair the national carrier, has several flights a day to other African destinations, – tickets can be booked on their website.
• South African Airways has flights to Kigali from Johannesburg.
• Turkish Airlines has flights to Kigali from Istanbul.
• Qatar airways. has flights from Kigali to Doha.
• Flydubai. has flights to Dubai.

When travelling out of Kigali airport, take in mind that your destination (e.g., South Africa) will need a Yellow Fever Certificate, which airport authorities will request. Also, be cautious of waiting for your flight at a café; certain flights (e.g., Kenya Airways to Nairobi) are frequently overbooked, and you will not be notified if they decide to begin boarding early, and you may miss your flight.

Buses go to and from several locations of Rwanda on a regular basis.

In Uganda, there are a few daily buses that go straight between Kigali and Kampala. The bus is crowded and unpleasant, but it is the most cost-effective option.

In Burundi, there are a few daily buses that go straight between Kigali and Bujumbura. In the morning, buses are available from Yahoo Car, New Yahoo, East African Car Express (large bus), and Belvedere.

Motorcycle taxis (motos) are the most common and quickest mode of transportation in town. Motorcycle fares vary from 200 RFr to 1000 RFr depending on distance, although most motocyclists will demand RFr 200-500. A taxi ride to or from the airport should cost between 1500 and 2000 RFr. Keep in mind that they really put their foot down on the major route out to the airport. It is, however, a well-maintained road with beautiful views of Kigali City and an exciting ride.

Matatus/city buses (minibuses) run main routes around the city and are the most cost-effective mode of transportation. Rwanda’s minibus is one of the greatest modes of transportation in East Africa. The majority of the buses are very new and highly maintained. There are various minibus firms that run between Kigali and Rwanda’s other cities. Regardless of distance, they all charge the same fee. It costs just 600 RFr to go a small distance, such as to Ntarama. The distance between Ruhungeri and Gisenyi costs 2500 RFr and 3000 RFr, respectively.

In Kigali, city buses cost Rfr 240. The bus number 105 runs from the bus terminal in Kigali to the Kigali Youth hostel, where you may get off the bus from Uganda.

Kigali has a number of automobile rental providers.

In Kigali, there are several taxis, which are more costly than motos. After bargaining, a small 1km journey will cost Rwf 2,000, with an airport run costing Rwf 10,000. Individually owned taxis (typically with some sort of yellow stripe on the vehicle) and more professorially managed services handled by a single major operator are the two primary types of taxis in Kigali. The Kigali Airport Cabs and Kigali Taxi Service are the two primary taxi companies; other firms operate taxis as well, but these are the two biggest, and each have a phone number you may contact to get a taxi.

Tourist (Backpacker) – 35 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 175 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre

On the tenth anniversary of the genocides, the museum reopened in April 2004. There are about 250,000 individuals buried here, and there is a moving museum. Several monuments, museums, and institutions related to the Rwandan Genocide may be found in Kigali. There are both audio and real tutorials available. On-site cafe with great coffee and a commitment to supporting local children and companies. Free/donation – there is an additional price for photographs.

Presidential Palace Museum

(In Kanombe, 4km east past the airport – under the flightpath).

The official residence of President Habyarimana, who perished in the notorious 1994 aircraft disaster. Guided tours are required and provide an insight into life as an African tyrant in the 1970s and 1980s. There’s also an exhibit on Rwandan attire that’s worth seeing. The use of photography is prohibited. 6,000 Rwf (Rwf 5,000 for resident foreigners). To get there, hire a moto for around Rwf 1,000 and tell him to take you to Kanombe; you’ll most likely wind up outside the military hospital at the end of the tarmac road; the museum is another 300 meters down the dirt road (GPS coordinates 1.97543S, 30.17206E).

Visit a craft center in Kigali, such as the Dancing Pots Craft Centre or the Cards for Africa workshop and sales room.

• Ballet Rwanda,  0785 380 336. afternoons & evenings. Ballet classes for children and adults, beginners and seasoned dancers, at a professional ballet school in Gaculiro. There is a good mix of Rwandan and international students.
• Gisozi circuit (behind Gaculiro). A fantastic 10-kilometer jogging course through Kigali’s suburbs, with level terrain, no traffic, and stunning views of the rice farms.
• Ten pin bowling, Kimihura (a custom-built shed next to the pool at Mamba Club),  0788513438. From 12 p.m. till midnight It first opened in 2012 and has since grown in popularity. Six lanes of ball-rolling mayhem, replete with a scoreboard on the TV, ball returners, shoe rental, and slick, polished alleyways. The pins are reset by hand rather than by machine, which adds a fascinating twist to the job creation process. The first game costs Rwf 3,000 per person, while the second game costs Rwf 2,500 per person.

Kigali is an excellent dining destination by any standard. A combination of Belgian culinary influence, an abundance of cows, fresh water fish, and fresh vegetables results in some of the region’s best dining. And it’s all reasonably priced.

It’s worth noting that restaurants and pubs in Kigali come and go, not to mention shut down, on a regular basis. Once you’re in town, check for the most up-to-date information, and keep in mind that some of the locations described in print guidebooks may no longer exist.

Finally, restaurants, like the rest of the area, take their time — expect to wait 45 minutes to an hour between ordering and receiving your meal, particularly at supper. If you’re looking for a fast lunch, there are a number of ‘African buffets’ strewn about where you can load your plate full and be out the door in under 30 minutes.

City Centre

• Babas Cafe is located at the Kigali Business Centre, which is located just outside of town. Has delicious, healthy meals. For three dollars, you can eat as much as you want.
• La Classe, Boulevard de la Revolution. Lunch & dinner. La Classe is sometimes neglected by Kigali’s foreigners, yet the fillet steak can be outstanding. Additionally, they provide a Rwf3,500 lunch buffet. Main courses start at Rwf4,000.
• Bourbon Cafe, Union Trade Center commercial mall in downtown and Remera’s MTN Centre. It received mediocre reviews in 2011.
• Kigali Serena’s Milima & Sokoni restaurants provide delicious meals with weekly themed lunches like as Wednesday Mongolian BBQ, Friday African Buffet, and Sunday Buffet at Sokoni, and daily themed lunches at Milima.
• Chez Robert is around a five-minute walk from Mille Collines and provides regional cuisine in a pleasant environment. Their supper buffet is pretty decent and costs around €7 for a selection of over 20 things. There may be cheaper local cuisine at a hole-in-the-wall eatery, but this is an excellent establishment.
• Shanghai, is a rather obscure Chinese restaurant located near Milles Collines. Although it is not very comfortable, the cuisine is excellent.
• Heaven, is a new restaurant located three blocks downhill from the Mille Collines. It serves American and Continental cuisine. While it is a little pricey, with the majority of meals costing FRW4000 or more, the well-prepared cuisine (and great dessert selection) are well worth the money.

Gacuriro

• Kigali Guestlux. one of the few eateries in Gacuriro – serves up adequate fare in the gardens of the guesthouse.

Kiyovu

• Republika Great restaurant, great environment.
• The New Cactus – Very good pizzas, popular among expats. Nevertheless the served pizzas can’t be compared to Italian ones. Try to get a table in the sheltered part of the open air restaurant, it can be quite windy.
• Khana Khazana serves fantastic Indian food and is one of the best and most popular restaurants in town with expats, visitors, business travellers and Rwandan citizens too.

Kacyiru

• Mimosa – A reliable lunchtime buffet for Rwf 2,500. Just down from Top Tower hotel.
• Shokola Great restaurant, great environment. In Kiyovu, close to downtown

Kimihurura

• L’Atelier is tucked away in the residential district of Kimihurura, within walking distance of Papyrus. You may need help to find it but you’ll be rewarded with serves delicious french cuisine in an intimate setting.
• Africa Bite – pronounced locally as “Africa Bi-te”. Popular lunchtime African buffet, with excellent rotis, for Rwf3,000.
• Thai restaurant at New Cadillac night club was well liked when it first opened. However it is getting mixed reviews after the departure of its Thai chef. This is quite common in Kigali.
• Mama Africa (next to New Cadillac, at the bottom of the Kimihurura hill), +250 2511622. Despite the terrible name, this place serves up some excellent food in its thatched surrounds. The beef carpaccio is some of the best in the city, the steaks reliable, and the brochettes as good as they come. The place can be a bit quiet, but worth checking out (avoid the buffet). Its owned by Eugene Cobra, longstanding Rwandan musician. Mains from Rwf 5,000.

Nyarutarama

• Sakae (down a back road between MTN Centre and RDB. Signposted.).Lunch & dinner. Run by a Korean family, Sakae serves up both Japanese and Korean dishes in spacious and pleasant surroundings. A little pricey, but many prefer Sakae to nearby Zen. Mains from Rwf 7,000.
• Zen (north of the MTN Centre),  +250 782 588 593. Lunch & dinner. With the dining area nestled under a huge thatched hut, with trickling water and subtle lighting, there are few places in town that can compete atmosphere-wise. The food is usually pretty good, however you can feel a little cheated by the portion sizes, and the extras added to your bill (rice, service, VAT). Accordingly Zen is popular with those with expense accounts. Mains from Rwf 8,000.

Remera

• Sol e Luna, Boulevard de L’Aéroport (signposted so quite easy to find), +252 583062. A firm favourite in Kigali – decent wood fired pizzas, expensive lunch time buffet, great views from the terrace – popular with locals and expats alike. Monday nights is quiz night, which is mystifyingly popular. Mains from Rwf 5,000.
• Tangren Chinese Restaurant (near Rwanda Development Board),  +250 783 011583. lunch and dinner. Set in lush gardens, this is one of the better Chinese places in town, in part as the owner and chef is Chinese. An added plus is that service only takes 15 minutes or so. One of the few restaurants with rabbit on the menu – and very tasty it is too. Mains Rwf 4,000.

Kibagabaga / Kinyinya

• Kinyinya Topview – (GPS co-ordinates -1.9173, 30.1121) pleasant local brochette bar near the Deutsche Welle radio masts. Somewhere different to go – great at night time when the masts are lit up like a red Christmas tree. Brochette and chips around Rwf 2,000

Other

• Le Glacon A great ice cream store.
• La Sierra Serves nearly everything imaginable
• Camellia tea house amazing selection of teas, good food. Lunch buffet is very popular.

For overseas tourists, bottled water is advised.

To get alcoholic beverages, visit the New Cadillac nightclub or the Republica. Both are outstanding. Keep an eye out for pickpockets near the New Cadillac.

Planet Club is located near the KBC roundabout in Kimihurura and has two distinct areas: a lounge bar with House music and a club with African and contemporary Hip-Hop music.

The first thing to keep in mind is that Kigali is not cheap. Import expenses are high, and import tariffs and VAT are significant, as a cash-strapped landlocked nation. Be wary of foreigners who claim that wine, olive oil, morning cereals, kettle chips, and other common products are exorbitantly priced. Purchasing Rwandan or East African Community goods may significantly reduce costs; Kenya, in example, manufactures a large variety of products that are frequently half the price of imported European equivalents.

Outside of supermarkets and restaurants, most sellers are accustomed to bargaining (even over produce), but keep things in perspective – and don’t allow storekeepers charge you double what you believe you should be paying.

Most banks’ ATMs now accept Master Card, Visa, Amex, Diners Club, Union Pay, and JCB, including Equity Bank, Ecobank, Bank of Kigali, Kenya Commercial Bank, GT Bank, and I&M Bank; Eco Bank HQ is located in the center of town next to CNLS and near UTC / Nakumatt; Eco Bank HQ is located in the center of town next to CNLS and near UTC / Nakumatt. At the airport, there are several ATMs that take foreign cards. Even at the airport, don’t depend on any ATM to having money or to be operational at any given moment.

In Kigali, there are banks offering counter service for withdrawals (and Ecobank can do MasterCard withdrawals).

What should I buy? Rwandan coffee is, on the whole, excellent (although stay away from the cheapest stuff, which will be the sweepings from the grinding factory floor). Approximately Rwf 4,000 per 500g is to be expected. Rwandan honey, particularly Nyungwe Highlands honey, is excellent. Approximately Rwf 1,750 per 500g. Rwandan tea is also very nice (both black and green).

Rwandan handicrafts, apparel, wonderful multicolored fabric from West Africa, and just about anything else may be found at local markets. The enormous market in Kimironko is a fantastic location to get fruit, vegetables, rice, and other essential consumables, and it’s also a lot of fun to go around the used clothing department.

In comparison to other African cities, Kigali is rather secure and pleasant. Keep your eyes out for pickpockets and keep your money out of their reach, particularly in busy locations. If at all possible, avoid walking after dark, particularly alone. In the area between New Cadilac Nightclub and Carwash Bar, be especially cautious.

If you’re in a jam, police officers are often helpful, but don’t anticipate quick results.