Once we arrived in Kigali, we realized that if Rwanda is the Land of a Thousand Hills, then Kigali’s setting right among rolling green vistas makes this a fitting choice of capital. It is a contender for Africa’s most scenic capital and the cleanest, safest, and most relaxed. Kigali was a trade centre (after 1895) during the German colonial administration and became a regional centre during the Belgian colonial period (1919–62). It became the capital upon Rwanda’s independence in 1962.
We used the YEGO Rwanda application to order our taxis and explore the city. At the forefront of the 1994 genocide, Kigali suffered immensely, and there’s no more sobering a stop than the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Built in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the horrific events in 1994, here lie the remains of some 250,000 Rwandans who were slaughtered systemically by the extremist Interahamwe militia carrying out orders from the Hutu-led government. Set over several permanent exhibitions, this modern, informative memorial charts the events that led up to 100 days of madness, where some 800,000 people lost their lives between 7 April and 15 July. As well as the events that sparked the genocide following President Habyarimana’s plane being shot down on the approach to Kigali airport, it delves further back, exploring the background of tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi people and the role of European colonisers in creating ethnic divisions. It also reflects on the lack of intervention from the international community, which looked the other way during the genocide.
Then, we visited the Kandt House Museum (🎟️20000 RWF), Kigali’s premier cultural museum. It is located within the colonial 1907 residence of German explorer Richard Kandt, who arrived in 1898 to find the source of the Nile before establishing Kigali as a city.
After that, we drove to Camp Kigali Memorial, a Bullet-strewn building in Kigali’s centre, untouched from when 10 Belgian commandos were gunned down after taking refuge here. Later, we explored Kimironko Market, which had a good selection of local handicrafts.
In the evening, we hanged out in the cool, colourful, and pulsating neighbourhood of Nyamirambo. We had dinner in our favourite Java House next to Kigali’s Convention Centre, which was built in 2016. It is one of Africa’s most expensive buildings and features a distinctive landmark beehive dome inspired by the King’s Palace in Nyanza. It was an impressive sight illuminated in the colours of the Rwandan flag.
There are plenty of bars and good restaurants, and we were happy at Molato and Green Lounge. All places are busy on weekends and close around 2 AM. Only Tiamo Lounge was open after the official closing hour until 5 AM. Many locals have recommended that we visit the People Bar & Dance Venue.
Parking location – Kigali: 1.941011S 30.065384E (🚻,🅿️15000 RWF)