Welcome to Kigali Rwanda
Kigali is considered Africa’s cleanest city compared to any European metropolis or city. Kigali is one lovely city which tells of all Rwanda’s beauty…the people, landscape and warm. It is also the gateway to Rwanda safaris and travel adventures besides being the capital city of Rwanda.
This city is the Business and Commercial hub of one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. It si home to the Kigali international airport-one of the main entry point for Rwanda’s tourists and business community
History
Kigali was established in 1907 during the early German reign and colonial era. It was then just considered a small town in Rwanda as the capital city was then in a town called Mwami in Nyanza. Butare was at the time the colonial fort of Rwanda until 1962 on independence but Kigali became the capital of Rwanda.
Kigali was chosen as a capital city due to its location at the heart of Rwanda. During the Rwanda Genocide of 1994, Kigali was inscribed in dark images and atrocities for the massacre of thousands of Tutsis and Hutus in the country. This damaged the image of the city making it then one of the most unsecure cities and countries in central Africa.
Nevertheless, the city and Rwanda have grown beyond the Rwanda Genocide growing into a growing metropolis-warm, friendly and beautiful. Kigali city is made up of three districts namely Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge. It is presently inhabited by approximately 1 million inhabitants.
Attractions
The city is built with the backdrop of the beautiful hills of Mt Kigali (1850m), spreading into deep settlements for the valleys. The central business district is located on the ridges of the hills including several administrative offices and international NGOs and organizational offices.
Sightseeing is real time adventure in Rwanda. Some of the building to catch sight of include BCDI tower, Kigali tower, Centenary house, parliament building, Kigali International airports and Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre…to mention a few.
Take a city tour to sites like the Franco-Rwanda cultural centre and the Genocide memorial site and museum. South of Kigali is Nyamata Genocide Memorial and Ntamara Memorial another site to mark the ugly genocide period
The National museum of Rwanda is another attraction for Kigali city. This museum exhibits the culture and heritage of this growing nation, its culture, people and a lot about is history from the period of the colonial era.
Travel guide
Kigali International airport is the main entry point for Rwanda receiving flights from Entebbe Uganda, Nairobi and Tanzania. The airport is located on a hill although another airport is under construction in Nyamata…45km from Kigali. Other airlines from all over Africa such as Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airways and South Africa airways have weekly flights to Kigali.
Travel by car is a major means of transport to Kigali. Buses come in from Kampala via Kayonza, Kagitumba and Gatuna. Buses from Nairobi arrive via Dar-es-salaam and drive into Rwanda via Bujumbura Burundi. Travel by Kampala is rather shorter and less expensive compared to other routes by road. Private car hire is available for Kigali city tours and travel beyond the capital say for Rwanda Gorilla trekking adventures in Volcanoes National Park.
Hotels and Accommodation
Kigali Rwanda Hotels
include the first class luxury Serena Kigali Hotel, Hotel Milles Collines, Novotel Umubano, Royal Villes, Alpha Palce Hotel, Hilltop Hotel and Country Club and Gorillas Hotel. Other cheaper but standard Kigali Rwanda Hotels include Stipp Hotel Kiyovu, La Palisse Hotel, La Palisse Hotel, Hotel Ninzi Hill, Hotel Isimbi, and Hotel Le Garni Centre.
Cheaper Rwanda Kigali Accommodation is available from Kiyovu Motel, Sky Hotel as well as self catering accommodation at Kacyrou Executive apartments, Royale Villas or from Aberdeen House
