One day Kigali city tour 

Unveils the magic and beauty of Rwanda’s capital in the shortest time possible. It wows you with a combination of culture, stunning landscapes and a touch of history within the land of a thousand hills. From the Kigali genocide memorial, the kimironko market, the presidential museum to the conventional centre among others, the experience is greatly exciting and memorable. You will see displays of art and color and get a chance to interact with the native Rwandans.

On this  day Kigali city tour, you will have the best of your time in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. Kigali city was founded in the 14th Century by King Cyirima I Rugwe and has been the capital ever since. Blessed with a moderate high-altitude climate, the city is at the heart of the country and is strategically located within three hours drive to the main tourist sites and national parks. The city is altogether gifted with a number of attractions, some of which focus on taking you through the scale of time, while others enlighten your eyes with the beauty of their making. With places like the Kandt house,also called the museum of natural history, the presidential museum and the kigali genocide memorial, the smell of tradition and history is nothing far from perfection and visitors are just within the highest degree of getting knowlegeable.

Kandt House is located at the base of mt. Kigali and mt. Jali and was named after Dr. Richard Kandt in honor of his work. Dr. Kandt was the first colonial german resident of Rwanda and he also retained Kigali as the capital in 1907. While here, you will be taken through the history of the country and introduced to the different appearances of the city over centuries. You will also find out for yourself why it is called Kigali. The museum also hosts several reptiles such as a different species of snakes and crocodiles.

You will also spend time at places like the Kigali Genocide memorial where an estimated 250,000 victims of the genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest. You will also have access to the Genocide Archive of Rwanda in this place. The archive contains photographs, official documents and geographical data of the genocide.

A visit to the Presidential museum is also worth doing. The museum is the residence of two of the former Presidents of Rwanda and a place where Rwanda’s political history gets unveiled. When the genocide started, president Habyarimana’s airplane crushed in his home and the remains are present to this day. From there, a visit to Kimironko market is exciting. The market is said to be one of the liveliest places of the city. Right here lies a possibility of buying handmade gifts, fabrics, souvenirs as well as different things for food and household necessities. You will also have the possibility of interacting with the native Rwandans here.

As you move across the city, you will have views of mountains like Mt. Kigali, which is a sacred mountain from where the ancestors used to call upon their spirits. This mountain is said to be the symbol for the heart of Rwanda and is usually likened to the statue of liberty. The mountain is 1,850m high and can be climbed or hiked from Nyamirambo. There’s also a possibility of reaching Nyarutarama lake that’s found between Nyarutarama and Kacyiru Hills, where different bird species find home. These include birds like pelicans, herons, egrets and the African jacana among others.

Activities

  1. Kigali - Rwanda

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Activity of the Day

Some of the Places we shall visit on our Kigali City Tour

  • You will be picked by our guide either from Kigali International Airport or your hotel for a tour around Kigali city for a visit to some of the most outstanding places in the city. While on your tour, you will see many spectacular landscapes and interact with the native people. The tour generally involves a lot of learning. The city has over 56 attractions but we shall choose a few from those. 
  • You will vist the Kigali genocide memorial. The experience usually takes an hour and unveils the story of Rwanda within the 1990's. You will be showed the different photos and documents as well as the graves of 250,000 people that were killed in the process.
  • You will also visit the presidential museum which was home to two former presidents of Rwanda. You will be taken through the history of the place. You learn about what happened at the start of the genocide and other interesting things.
  • The Kandt house or museum of natural history is not to be missed since it unveils the history of the city. You will find out from here why it is called Kigali and how it has evolved.
  • A visit to the conventional centre is worth taking. The centre is one of the spectacular grandeurs of the city and has hosted many national and international events.
  • You will also passby the Kimironko market where you will see people that are lively while making business. While here, you will get a chance to buy some artifacts and other things as your need may be.
  • After this Kigali city tour, you will taken back to your hotel or place of stay.

General Tips:

OPTIONAL: 

  • If you are interested in art, you can visit the Ivuka arts studios where you will see a lot of fine art.
  • If you are also interested in a typically nature trip, then you can consider visiting the Nyandungu Ecotourism Park, Mt. Kigali, Lake Nyarutarama and even gorilla trekking.