Kigali Town
Dr. Richard Kandt, the first permanent German colonialist in Rwanda, founded Kigali town in 1907 as a small colonial outpost. His home, which lies in the centre of the city amid the foothills of Mounts Jali and Kigali, was converted into a Natural History Museum in his honor and is now a popular stop for city excursions.
Given that it is perfectly situated in the middle of Rwanda, Kigali town is an excellent site to start or conclude any trip there. The residents of the clean, safe town are quite friendly. The tremendous cultural attractions, which include many award-winning museums, a thriving music scene, and some of East Africa’s most memorable culinary experiences, will appeal to tourists.
Best time to visit Kigali city
Kigali city can be visited throughout the year with the best time being the dry season during the months of June to mid-September when there is less rain fall received than during the rainy season in the months of March to May.
From its beautiful scenery, beautiful and friendly people, to the tranquil weather, rich culture and history. Kigali city has overcome the shadow of the genocide, to become a major tourism destination, which is still growing its tourism potential, by putting in place world class hotels, attractions like Mount Kigali, historical monuments among other necessities and ensuring that the tourists get value for money and unforgettable moments during their tour in Kigali city, Rwanda.
KIGALI, RWANDA: SIGHTS TO SEE & PLACES TO VISIT
Visitors will experience Kigali's older commercial "quarters," residential neighborhoods, and business districts while on the tour. They will also visit some of the historical locations established in memory of the brutal 1994 Tutsi Genocide, take a guided tour of the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, and learn more about the city's various neighborhoods and local landmarks. Come and see for yourself how stunning and spotless this nation is.
Genocide Memorial in Kigali
The memorial, which debuted ten years after the genocide, is a somber, heartbreaking exhibit. The indoor exhibit illuminates the Rwandan genocide as well as its pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial roots through massive wall displays, archival papers, images, video footage, and weaponry enclosed in glass. The area with human skulls and bones was unsettling, but the children’s memorial was the most upsetting.
The Memorial is accessible from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week.
Rwandan Cultural Center
The use of symbolic motifs, drawn from African culture, is distinctive of our design for the Art & Culture Center. The ensemble is joined to the buildings by a raised square. The square is separated into planes, each having a distinct arrangement and symbolic design. The large-scale cultural complex across the square, which provides shelter from the tropical temperature, serves as the grid’s focal point.
Presidential Palace in Kigali
On the eastern suburbs of Kigali, close to the airport, is the Presidential Palace, the home of President J. Habyarimana, the previous president of Rwanda. President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down on April 6, 1994, an incident that some believe led to the Rwandan Genocide. The old official residence is now a museum where visitors can observe the Falcon 60 presidential jet’s wreckage and learn about Rwanda’s history.
Kimironko Market
Visit the huge warehouse complex known as Kimironko Market for a truly immersive shopping experience. With vendors selling goods from all across Rwanda as well as from East, Central, and West Africa, this market is the busiest and most well-liked in the city. The market’s on-site seamstresses can turn large pieces of kitenge fabric into one-of-a-kind clothes, and you can buy crafts and souvenirs for dirt-cheap prices. For local Rwandans, Kimironko serves as a market with many stands selling a variety of fresh produce, apparel, household goods, and odoriferous meat and seafood. Although it is disorganized, loud, and frequently overpowering, the kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and smells offers a real glimpse into Kigali’s daily life.