What to Do in Kigali for a Day?

One day in Kigali, the capital of the vibrant and tidy Rwanda, is enough for you to experience a cocktail of history, culture, and modern African life. A day in Kigali, even as a layover or start of your Rwandan tour, will teach you how to make the most of your time.

Morning: Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial

Make a valuable visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial as the start of your day. This very emotional place is dedicated to the 1994 genocide victims; history is provided there. The exhibits are arranged well and respectfully represented, so it is one of the city's most important places worth seeing.

Midday: Explore Kimironko Market and Enjoy Rwandan Cuisine

Head on to Kimironko Market, the most active local market in Kigali, to get the feel of the sights, sounds, and smells of everyday life. Here, you can shop for colorful fabrics, handmade products, and fresh produce. To experience some Rwandan cuisine at lunch hour, grab brochettes (grilled meat skewers) or isombe (cassava leaves with groundnut sauce) in a local restaurant/cafe.

Afternoon: Discover Art and Culture

If you want to follow Rwanda’s growing contemporary art scene, go and visit Inema Arts Center or Kigali Arts Center. Such creative spaces present local talent and host exhibitions, performances, workshops, and community programs. You can also visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum for further information regarding Rwanda’s recovery post-genocide.

Evening: Sunset at Mount Kigali & Dinner

End your day with a less than an hour hike or drive to Mount Kigali for breathtaking views of the city at sunset. Then, have dinner in one of the rooftop restaurants in Kacyiru or Nyamirambo to see the city’s laid-back nightlife and taste contemporary Rwandan food.
 

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