Things to do and see in Kigali Rwanda

Things to do and see in Kigali Rwanda – Top tourist attractions in Kigali

Things to do and see in Kigali Rwanda – There are plenty of things to do in Kigali from historic sites to culturally important monuments, gorgeous nature to unique boutique shopping.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

This is the best place to learn about the worst human tragedy to affect the country and one of the most awful historical times for Africa. If you only have a few hours, one of the best things to do in Kigali is visiting the Genocide Memorial.

You should spend at least 2h at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to make sure that you have enough time to listen to all the audio guide recordings.

Kimironko market

And no doubt it is one of the things to do in Kigali. What people eat how they buy their items and what is available is very telling of a culture this are one of top ways to explore the markets and learn how Rwandan farmers work.

Visit a milk bar

Milk bars are a very interesting feature in Rwanda and an experience to check out. While you drive across the country maybe to Akagera or to the gorilla parks, you will often see locals carrying milk on the back of their bikes. They are taking it to the Milk Bar for pasteurisation.

Kigali Convention Centre

At night, it is lit in moving lines that look like they are circling the beehive looking building. While it might not be one of the things to do in Kigali, it is worth driving around it and also stopping for a quick walk around because of how unique the building is. The convention centre is attached to the newly opened Radisson Blu Hotel.

Join a Go Kigali tour

Things to do and see in Kigali Rwanda – I love tours just like I love markets, especially when hiring a local who can show you all the ins and outs of a place. No doubt, going on a tour is also one of the things to do in Kigali.

Visit the Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace in Kigali used to be the house of Juvenal Habyarimana and Pasteur Bizimungu, the Rwandan Presidents from the 70s to the 90s until the President was shot down at the grounds of the palace. The flight debris of the FALCON 50 presidential plane that went down on 6th April 1994 killing Juvenal and the Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira can still be visited.

Inema Arts Center

Kigali today is an explosion of colour, art and creativity. This can be seen in the many local designer shops, the art galleries popping up at every corner and the hip and chic restaurants and cafes

Buy some Rwandan souvenirs

But there are a few really nice items you can take home with you and which will always remind you of your trip to Kigali and Rwanda. One of them is the traditional woven baskets that come with a high cover. They are called agaseke in the local language and they have a historically long tradition in Rwanda.

Get some Rwandan fashion and jewellery

Where you can find all the local Rwandan brands selling clothes, jewellery, bags, accessories, etc. in their own dedicated stalls.

This is not just a souvenir place but a congregation of all that is locally made less than one roof and so it is a fantastic place to buy something unique that nobody among your friends will have. You can find some of the best designers and local artists here, but their individual shows elsewhere might have a larger selection of products. This is nonetheless a great place to see them all under one roof.

Ride a Boda-boda

Nothing says East Africa like a ride on a motorbike, or Boda-boda as it is locally known. Boda-boda get their name from the English border-border and its humble origins taking people across the border from one country to the other at the time when there used to be a buffer zone that could be as long as one kilometre.

Try brochettes

Unlike other countries, East Africa is not particularly known for food and Rwanda is no exception. The food is rather undefined and it is hard to pinpoint at anything truly Rwandan. Even the locals don’t know what to say when asked what is a typical local meal. But they all seem to agree that brochette is very Rwandan.

Visit the 1000 Hills Distillery

1000 Hills Distillery was started by an American expat in 2014 and is the only distillery in Rwanda. So beer lovers worrying that their won’t be any things to do in Kigali concerning the brew, you’re mistaken. The tradition of distilling alcohol is not very strong in the country so the founder had to spend some time talking to the government and discussing the industry’s regulations, all the way helping to shape them based on his experience elsewhere. Great Adventure Safaris can hlep you arrange for things to do and see in Kigali Rwanda and gorilla tracking safaris in Volcanoes National Park.