Kigali Rwanda is not on many people’s bucket lists. The only reason we went was as a convenient end point to our Ugandan/Rwandan safari. However rather than just being somewhere to rest our heads for 24 hours we found out that there is lots to do with 24 hours in Kigali. Here is our guide on to the best things to do in Kigali. . 

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Where to stay in Kigali, Rwanda

When putting together our itinerary, we decided to stay at the infamous Milles des Collines hotel (of Hotel Rwanda fame), now a Kempinski hotel.

In a way the choice, or lack there of, of suitable hotels led to us staying here is a great symbol of my apprehension of going to Rwanda. You see outside of the Rwandan genocide, I knew nothing about the capital city of Rwanda. A look in the tourist guides provided little other information about the city  and what to do in Kigali away from the information it provided relating to the Rwandan genocide.

As we arrived late in the evening where it is always to difficult to gauge what a city is really like, I looked towards our next day in the city with some apprehension.

Best Things to do In Kigali Rwanda

Best Things to do In Kigali

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre

Our main stop, as I think is the case with many tourists was the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. The centre has beautiful grounds that serves as a cemetery for over 250,000 people who died in the Capital during the Genocide. The scale of this memorial only serves to emphasis the extent of the atrocity. Inside, the centre is given over to explaining how the genocide came to pass, historical context and how the international community did little to prevent or intervene. A shameful blemish on reputation on the rest of the international community.

What you need to know about visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre:

It was without a doubt the most upsetting place I have ever been. The sheer scale coupled with the stories of survivors had me in tears. The stories of children caught up in the Genocide were the most harrowing. There were some stories of heros that risked their lives for others that were uplifting and a welcome relief but not enough to counter the effects. Though uncomfortable, I am really happy that we visited the Memorial.

Looking for Rwanda tours check out this post!

Craft Market 

After we left the Genocide Memorial, we wanted to explore what other things to do in Kigali. Our first stop was an artisan craft market. It was only once we had left the genocide memorial that you began to notice the ages of the people in capital, the missing generation and notice the literal scars on the residents of Kigali.

Despite this, I came away from Kigali with a feeling of hope. It is remarkable that the city doesn’t have more problems. There is not an ongoing quest for retribution. Instead, I saw a city rising from the ashes and trying to move towards a better future. Initiatives by the Kigali City Council such as once a month mandatory street cleaning for all residents, make it feel like a city of the rise. It was one of the cleanest places I have been, and I don’t just mean in Africa. More recently it has embraced the no car days to encourage exercise and community gathering. It feels like a city looking towards a different and better future.

Our lasting impression of Kigali Rwanda

In the end I was glad that I went to Kigali and the Genocide Memorial. But most of all, I was glad I stayed at the Milles des Collines. It was here, where Paul Rusesabagina let over 1000 people take refuge,  that I had time to reflect on Kigali and my short time there. It reminded me that there are always people, however few that will put there lives at risk for the sake of others.

My hopes for Kigali in the future is that they can diversify and create a country that is defined by more than just its Genocide and its springing off point to see gorillas as it is such a lovely and safe place to visit!

If you, like me, would like to plan a more in-depth Rwanda itinerary then check out this post by our friends at Mini Travellers

Best things to do in Kigali Rwanda