11 Top Things To See And Do In Kigali

Kigali, while not yet Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, or Kampala, is still slowly becoming an East African capital to reckon with. This vibrant city is no longer sleepy, as restaurants, bars, galleries, and activities abound. Check out this guide for the 11 top things to see and do in Kigali.

1. Shop at Kimironko market

Market, African

Of Kigali’s many markets, Kimironko market is one of the best and the biggest. Second-hand clothing, fruit and vegetables, fish, fabric, and baskets are all sold in this covered complex. Spend some time haggling for avocados before buying gifts for everyone on your list – Agaseke baskets are beautiful, unique to Rwanda, and sold by the dozen at Kimironko.

2. Watch a soccer game at Amahoro Stadium

Stadium

Located in the Remera neighborhood, Amahoro is the largest stadium in Rwanda with a capacity of 30,000. Soccer matches are held there regularly, as Rwandans from all over Kigali come to support their teams. The two most popular teams of Kigali are Police FC and Armée Patriotique Rwandaise FC (called APR), with league champions Rayon Sports FC based in Nyanza, the southern province of Rwanda. Games are a reliably rowdy, loud, and fun affair.

Visit a milk bar

Cows are incredibly important to Rwandan culture, and symbolize wealth, prosperity, and identity. Cows are still used today to pay a marriage dowry, or bride price. Milk is, as a result, also very important culturally, and small shops dedicated only to milk (called milk bars) are classically Kigali. Milk bars in the Nyamirambo or Kimisagara neighborhoods of Kigali are often the best, and are designated as such with the phrase ‘Amata Meza’ (meaning fresh milk in Kinyarwanda) and a drawing of a cow on the door.

Eat big fish in Nyamirambo

Nyamirambo, Kigali’s Muslim quarter, is one of the city’s most vibrant areas for bars, restaurants, and general merriment. Big fish, otherwise known as a large tilapia grilled with onions and spices, is one of Nyamirambo’s specialties. Grab a friend or two (one big fish can feed several people), and head to Green Corner or Ten to Two Panorama for some of the city’s best.

Green Corner, KN 20, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 788 752 721

Ten to Two Panorama, KN 22, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 788 831 878

3. Pay your respects at the genocide Memorial

Memorial, Museum

Photographs at the Kigali Genocide Memorial

Rwanda’s 1994 genocide was an undeniably tragic event, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial does an excellent job of commemorating it. A visit to the memorial is unforgettable, as the attached and informative museum teaches visitors about the events before, during, and after the genocide.

Kigali Genocide Memorial, KG 14, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 788 303 098

Photos at the Kigali Genocide Memorial | © Trocaire / Flickr

Drink coffee

Rwanda produces some of the best coffee in the world. Available everywhere from Costco to Starbucks, trying coffee while in the actual country is an absolute must. Question Coffee, a cafe and roastery linked to Sustainable Harvest (a coffee importing company), makes some of the best cups in the city. Also check out Inzora Rooftop Cafe as another coffee shop option.

Question Coffee Bar, KG 674, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 781 968 027

Inzora Rooftop Cafe, KG 5, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 789 539 764

Check out Kigali’s recent changes

Kigali is a city on the move. New buildings, stores, and even roads are common, and no area in the city demonstrates this fact more than the Kacyiru roundabout near the Kigali Convention Center. The Convention Center, completed in 2016 and one of Kigali’s most interesting (and colorful) buildings is attached to the Radisson Hotel and across the street from the also new Kigali Heights shopping center. Grab some homemade ice cream from Delizia Italiana in Kigali Heights, and walk around the picturesque roundabout.

Kigali Convention Centre, KN 5, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 786 738 663

Delizia Italiana, Kigali Heights, KG 2, Kigali, Rwanda

4. Do a Go Kigali tour

Market

For an in-depth experience of Kigali, look no further than Go Kigali tours. These half or full day tours, led by Rwandan guides, take visitors through five neighborhoods on an action packed day of sightseeing, eating, and learning about the city. The tour visits markets, milk bars, local restaurants, Mt. Kigali, and more in the course of just a few hours, and is a great way to see this beautiful city.

Go Kigali Tours and Boutique, KN 3, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 781 466 592

Market visit with Go Kigali | © Leigh Woods/Courtesy of Go Kigali

5. Visit the Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace, once home to President Habyarimana, is located in Kanombe, a neighborhood near the airport. The remains of the presidential plane are still visible on the grounds, and the crash is credited as the reason for the beginning of the Rwandan genocide. A visit to this museum is an interesting one, and few photographs are allowed to be taken onsite.

Presidential Palace Museum, KK 106, Kigali, Rwanda, +250 784 737 094

6. Check out the Gaddafi Mosque

Mosque, School

Gaddafi Mosque in Kigali | Courtesy of Leah Feiger

One of Rwanda’s most impressive mosques and structures, the Gaddafi Mosque was not actually constructed by Muammar Gaddafi. However, it was named as such for the road that Gaddafi did build that runs parallel to the mosque. The mosque’s official name, though no locals refer to it as such, is the Islamic Cultural Center. Located in the Nyamirambo neighborhood, the mosque also serves as school, clinic, and community center for the surrounding area.

Islamic Cultural Center, KN 2, Kigali, Rwanda

Gaddafi Mosque in Kigali

7. Inema Arts Center

Art Gallery

Kigali’s art scene is on the rise. Unique and contemporary Rwandan art can be found all over the city, and Inema Arts Center houses some of Kigali’s best and brightest talent. The gallery was founded by brothers Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, and hosts the work of fourteen different Rwandan artists. In addition to beautiful pieces, happy hours (check them out on Thursday!), yoga classes, and other events can be found in their creative space.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.