17 Best Things to do in Kigali, Rwanda

There’s no denying that Rwanda is a beautiful country with calm scenery and a wide range of stunning attractions. Its capital city, Kigali is also filled with delights and sights that are waiting to be explored.

With an interesting blend of metropolitan and rural scene, bursting with contrasted undulating and hilly terrain, the city has a tranquil feel at every corner. With the welcoming smiles from its easy-going people to its rich culture, you will probably understand why I never wanted to leave this city.

If you’re wondering how best to spend your holiday in Kigali, check out my bucket list of fun things to do as well as the top attractions to explore.

---

Note: Nigerian citizens can apply for Rwanda visa on arrival at the point of entry for $50.

---

Here are the best things to do in Kigali, Rwanda:

1. Breakfast at the Milk Bar

There are many milk bars in Kigali; in fact, the city is often referred to as the ‘milk bar capital’ of Rwanda. I’m sure you’re thinking that there will be a lot of cows in the city. That’s not true. In fact, this is a milk-bar capital with no cows. The bars procure their milk from the neighbouring rural towns. I visited the milk bar in Kimisagara neighbourhood called Kuruhimbi, where I learnt more about how important cows and their milk are to Rwandans.

Every morning, you will find the locals at these bars enjoying fresh hot milk with pastries for breakfast. I’m not a milk lover but ordered the fresh milk for photo sake. You could also go for the fermented milk – yogurt or fresh ice milk. Whenever you find yourself in Kigali, don’t forget to visit a milk bar.

2. Climb Mount Kigali

Located on the southwestern edge of the city, Mount Kigali is one of the highest hills in Rwanda. If you love hiking, I’m sure visiting Mt. Kigali would be a delight for you. In fact, eating breakfast at the milk-bar will give you sustained energy to climb Mount Kigali. I don’t like hiking or mountain climbing, but I wanted to visit the viewpoint because I have been told about the impressive views surrounding the hill. I was already crying in my mind until my guide told me there are two routes to the hilltop. We took our car through Nyamirambo straight to the top of the mountain, and walked for several minutes to the peak.

As much as hiking through Nyabugogo route to the hilltop would have been quite exciting, I also enjoyed the beautiful views along the Nyamirambo route to Mt Kigali viewpoint. You will be rewarded with most breath-taking scenic views of the extensive hill and the city of Kigali. For hikers, don’t forget to take along a bottle of drinking water, as you will be hiking for a few hours.

3. Visit Kimisagara Market

One of my favourite pastimes during my holiday in Kigali was shopping at Kimisagara Market. Featuring different sections with a variety of products, this local market is one of the biggest in the city. The market-building has four floors built into a hill. At the lower section, you will find fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, as well as souvenirs. I had the opportunity to suck a tree tomato – for the first time and had a taste of some of the juicy fruits such as passion fruit, banana, and orange.

I also discovered there are different types of beans in Rwanda, I saw more than six varieties in the market. My guide told me that beans are important to Rwandans, she said that guys choose girls to marry if they know how to cook beans. We climbed the stairs to the middle and upper sections, where we found a variety of stalls selling second-hand and new clothes, shoes and bags, fashion accessories as well as curtains.

4. Go for Mural Walk

Kigali is home to several street art murals, which are used in passing strong public health messages to the people of Rwanda. Close to Kimisagara Market, you will come across pieces of art adorning some of the buildings and walls on the streets. These murals have brightened up these areas, and they are painted in a way that people can understand their messages. Some of the neighbourhoods in Kigali have become a gallery with a variety of these beautiful murals. Enjoy a walking tour of these neighbourhoods and let your local guide point out the murals of Kigali for you to see. You don’t want to miss this experience!

5. Visit Gadaffi National Mosque

Also known as the Islamic Cultural Centre, the Gadaffi Mosque is one of the must-visit attractions in Kigali. Located in the neighbourhood of Nyamirambo, the mosque has a stunning architecture and features a community centre, clinic, and school for the people living in the surrounding area. My guide told me about the history of the mosque, and the role of the Muslims during the colonial era and the genocide period in Kigali.

6. Enjoy delicious traditional Meals at Tamu Tamu

There are a lot of delicacies to try when in Kigali. In fact, the food scene is brought to life in one of the vibrant neighbourhoods in the city – Nyamirambo. The neighbourhood is home to a wide range of restaurants, milk bars and of course you will find street food and juice stands on the streets. One of the popular local restaurants to visit is Tamu Tamu. Here, you’ll find a variety of traditional meals cooked with local ingredients.

We sat on the terrace outside to enjoy the ambiance while waiting for our food. We were served the best buffet featuring pilau, matoke, beans, ugali served with fish soup, goat meat and chicken. Most times, I find it difficult to eat when I travel because most foods do not have real pepper, but I enjoyed the delicious meals served at Tamu Tamu. The price was well worth it too. I heard they serve the best chapatti for breakfast every morning!

---

RELATED: Here’s Why You Need to Add Kigali To Your Bucket List

---

7. Take a ride on a water taxi to a rural neighbourhood

Enjoy a ride on a water taxi to a rural neighbourhood in Kigali to learn more about the local lifestyle and culture. The neighbourhood is hilly, and houses are built together on the hills. We took a walk through the hilly streets, and it looked like we were hiking the mountain. It felt like I was hiking another mountain, I was breathing heavily and my heart was beating fast. My guide was laughing at me and I had to beg her to slow down.

The locals in the neighbourhood were friendly, they kept greeting us. I was not really happy with the living conditions of these people; however, I was told the Rwandan government have great plans for a better housing system for the people of the neighbourhood. However, exploring the neighbourhood and walking up the hilly streets gave me an insight into how the locals live.

8. Marvel at contemporary art at Inema Arts Center

Inema Arts Center is an art gallery that brings together the contemporary art of Rwanda. Here, you will find a collection of beautiful art pieces from the best local talents. I fell in love with the colourful building of the Arts Center, but when we entered I was amazed at the creativity of the local artists showcased in the sculptures and paintings at the gallery. Inema Arts Center hosts a wide range of training, workshops and art classes for people interested in creative arts in Kigali. Other art centres in Kigali include Iyuka Arts Centre and Niyo Arts Centre.

9. Eat Brunch at Bourbon Coffee

The Bourbon Coffee at MTN Center in Nyarutarama was like home for me in Kigali! I love their coffee and pastries as well as the ambiance. As a digital nomad, I find it easy to work here – especially on the terrace, which features stunning views of the city. Anyways, if you are looking for a great place to enjoy brunch, Bourbon Coffee is perfect for you! I was fortunate to try most of the delicacies on their menu. The coffee is tasty but not my favourite. All their meals are prepared with organic ingredients in a unique proportion. You should try their Bourbon Big Breakfast or the Buffalo Chicken Wings or Chicken Schnitzel – so yummy and delicious!

Note: Never swap your fried egg on the breakfast menu for scrambled eggs – you will miss road! I did and I regretted it, and the bacon was TOO salty! 

10. Enjoy locally roasted coffee at Question Coffee

When the tour guide said we were going coffee cupping at Question Coffee, I was really happy. For me, good and tasty coffee is one of the greatest pleasures of life. Question Coffee has masterful brewing from the richest beans produced by the local women of Rwanda. When we got there, I ordered a cup of coffee – Americano Coffee – black, thick and strong; and I loved it!

Apart from the coffee, I fell in love with the serene environment at Question Coffee, which features a working space for freelancers & remote workers like me. Unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity to go back there to work. However, Question Coffee is much more than the coffee they sell, it’s like a non-profit organization committed to helping the local women coffee farmers develop by offering them retail and training opportunities. All proceeds from the coffee sales are used in funding the coffee farming training. Question Coffee is definitely a place to visit!

11. Have a tasty breakfast at Java House

I can’t but pay tribute to one of my favourite breakfast spots in East Africa. I was glad when I found out that there is Java House in Kigali. My love for a delicious breakfast at Java knows no bounds. Even though there’s plenty to choose from the menu, I usually opt for scrambled eggs with French toast, sausage, and bacon – together with a cup of regular Java coffee. Try this and your life will never remain the same! The thing about Java House is that every dish tastes as good as it looks, it doesn’t matter what you opt for – they can’t just go wrong with the taste. Tried and tested!

12. Enjoy Live Evening Jazz at Ubumwe Grande Hotel

Photo Source: Ubumwe Grand Hotel

Spend an exciting evening at the rooftop restaurant and bar at Ubumwe Grande Hotel. Listen to stellar live Jazz music, and have a fun night out, with stunning views of the city of Kigali. Enjoy a stylish atmosphere while you hang out with your friends or make new friends. I’m not really a Jazz lover but I had a lot of drinks and fun here. It’s really a cool place to chill out if you want to experience the nightlife in the city. Be sure to make new friends as you dance the night away in this beautiful venue.

13. Visit the Presidential Palace Museum

Although, ancient history captivates me, all those revolutions, battles and wars evoke some feelings that I don’t usually like. But there is something I love about ancient history or even the past – I get to understand how it has helped shaped us in the present days and how it will help us become a better person in the future. That was why I decided to visit the Presidential Palace, which was once the home of the president of Rwanda – late Juvenal Habyarimana before the 1994 genocide.

Located in Kanombe, very close to the airstrip, it’s now one of the tourist attractions in Kigali. If you know the history of Rwanda, you would have heard or read about what happened to this president. We explored the house, it has some strange and mysterious rooms for ‘witchy-witchy’ activities – which was said to be a hobby for the late president. However, the garden outside the house looked normal, with well-manicured flowers and trees made it look less strange. Outside, we saw the remains of the plane that crashed – this was said to have caused the Rwandan Genocide. If you love history and have some time, you can visit this attraction.

14. Shop for souvenirs

I love shopping for souvenirs! Just say we are going shopping, and you will see me dancing ‘shaku-shaku’ (African Dance). As a digital marketer and web developer (my side hustling life), I rarely have time to go out for fun except when I travel to explore places, so shopping has always been a way of escape from coding or analysing my client’s PPC reports. However, shopping for souvenirs is quite different. It’s like when I buy any unique handcraft, the world gets better as I’m actually making a difference. The last souvenir I got before going to Kigali was in Windhoek when I bought some beads from the Himba Women.

I was happy to go souvenir shopping in Kigali. It’s a great place to shop for those thoughtful gifts that showcased the Rwandan culture for your loved ones. There are so many places in Kigali to go shopping for souvenirs, from the local markets, Kigali Heights Shopping Mall to Nyamirambo Women’s Centre – where you can get a wide range of gift items, baskets, purses, and home décor.

I also visited Go Kigali Boutique located inside the Marriott hotel, such a beautiful place with a variety of traditional clothes, handicrafts, and photos. It’s a cool place to check out while shopping for souvenirs. Always remember to haggle – show them you are a Nigerian! Even if you’re not, don’t leave money on the table, except you are related to Bill Gate or Richard Branson!

15. Visit the Kigali Convention Centre

Photo Source: GovernmentZA / Flickr

Although there are lots of modern architecture and sleek buildings in the city, the Convention Centre stands out. On a beautiful night, I asked my driver to stop in front of this stunning building, I did not enter but I was able to see the beautiful structure properly. I look forward to attending some meetings and conferences in Kigali in the future, maybe I will have the opportunity to see what’s inside the building. It’s definitely a sight for any type of eyes!

16. Enjoy some Nyama Choma at Sundowner

Photo Source: SimplyRwanda

Never leave an East African destination without having some choma! Who said that? Me! I don’t know about you, but I love Nyama Choma and the Rwanda edition is quite delicious. Well, after lazing around my palatial Airbnb apartment all through the day, I decided to go out one evening for some good food and drinks. Well, I found myself at this relaxed Choma place called Sundowner in Kigali. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, great music and outdoor seating. I ordered one leg of barbecued goat meat – Nyama Choma and it was chopped and brought to my table in a big wooden board, served with chips, pepper, and sauce. It was juicy, chewable and delicious!

17. Finally, pay your respects at the Genocide Memorial

The Rwanda Genocide Memorial is one of the most visited places in Kigali. It’s a great place to learn more about what led to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, things that happened during and after the tragic event.

Visiting the Rwanda Genocide Memorial was such a disheartening but enlightening experience for me. Going around, watching videos, listening to people talk about their experiences about the genocide against the Tutsi, made me wonder where the rest of the world was when this happened in 1994. I felt so sad, people were crying, I looked for my own tears but didn’t see them.

I was pained and angry but seeing the Rwandans’ forgiving spirit even with the depth of pain they have inside them and how they have moved on and recovered, I know they are going to be fine. No wonder they are flourishing and developing faster than other African countries! If you are visiting Rwanda, I’ll suggest you visit this place first before you go sightseeing. Visiting the Genocide Memorial will give you an insight into the lives of the Rwandans, their history and culture.

---

All these activities – in and around Kigali can be done all Through the year. All my tour activities were organized by Go Kigali Tours, you can book either the City tour or the half-day tour.

Got a question about Kigali? Need some more ideas for things to do in Kigali? Leave a comment below and I’ll will respond.