Location: Kigali
Top Things to do in Kigali
Top 9 Hidden Gems Things to do in Kigali, Kigali Province
Inhabited since the 11th-century, what is now Kigali has been the home of Twas, Tutsis and Hutus. The city sits on a series of verdant ridges and lush valleys, and has a Muslim Quarter and a bustling market. Rwanda's capital is the site of battles that left over a million, mostly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, dead. Kigali Memorial Centre is a permanent memorial to 1994's Genocide, built on a mass grave where 250,000 are buried. Kigali City Tour Bus offers an excellent introduction to this now safe, friendly city.
Restaurants in Kigali
1. Primate Safaris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Primate Safaris Rwanda offers Gorilla Tours to Rwanda, Uganda & Congo to solo, Group Travelers to Visit Mountain Gorillas & Eastern Lowland gorillas, Nyiragongo Hike, Cultural Safaris & City Tours to Kigali. Find the most affordable Safari trips to Visit Gorillas in Rwanda starting with 1 Day Gorilla Safari to Volcanoes.
Reviewed By stephenshrew
We went with Primate Safaris from Kigali, where we were met by our fabulous, friendly and informative guide, Alex Kagaba, who took us for breakfast, a tour of Kigali and a visit to the moving Genocide Museum. He then drove us north to Kinigi through the cleanest country you will ever see. I did not see a SINGLE piece of litter! We stayed at the comfortable Gorilla Mountain Lodge and next day had an amazing adventure. After an energetic 2.5 hour hike up to nearly 9,000 feet we spent an hour with the Sabyinyo family - with the 400lb patriarch silverback brushing nonchalantly past me. FANTASTIC!! And then a good hike down - excellent pack of trackers & guide. Next day a return to Kigali for a visit to their parliament building - with preserved bullet and rocket scars, and a different angle on the genocide. What a lovely country and such an impressive response to their dark and recent history. There are many countries that could benefit from emulating Rwanda!
2. Nyamirambo Women's Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 149 reviews
NWC was founded in 2008 as a self-help group and quickly grew to become a center that offers free education for women in the Nyamirambo neighbourhood. Today women can join the center for classes in English, literacy, computer, sewing and handicrafts. NWC also organises workshops on Gender Equality, Women's rights and gender-based violence. In 2014 a community library was opened offering books in Kinyarwanda, French and English. In an effort to develop income-generating activities for the center but also for the women of the community, NWC developed a community-based tourism project that offers guided cultural walks in Nyamirambo and Umutima, a new line of household and children's products.
3. Gorilla Trek Africa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 620 reviews
Enjoy a guided gorilla tour to Rwanda with Gorilla Trek Africa. With over 10 years experience in organizing day trips to the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, a trek with us is the most memorable adventure trip you can take into the wild of Africa. We are able to offer you unbeatable prices and unparalleled value on all our excursions.
4. African Unique Safaris and Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Re-ignite your inner child’s wonder and excitement. Join us for a truly unique and inspiring experience that will stay with you long after you return home.
5. Kingfisher Journeys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 280 reviews
Explore, discover and journey amongst the thousand hills and see more of Rwanda from a truly unique perspective. Soak up the peace and quiet on the water, watch the beautiful landscape passing by, see the amazing birdlife, engage with friendly communities and do something unique in almost all of Africa! We run professionally guided small group kayaking day trips and overnight adventures on Lake Kivu from both Gisenyi and Kibuye multi-day activities from Cyangugu to Gisenyi. With new modern and very stable kayaks and all equipment provided, our guides offer instruction to help you enjoy this exciting - and yet also very relaxing - activity!
6. Niyo Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 178 reviews
Niyo Arts center, is a collection of Rwandan creative artists and also hosts different artists from the region. we provide a space for 13 artists in residence to explore their creative talents. contemporary African art works, Music and Dance going with Drumming. Niyo Art Gallery is also dedicated to supporting street children and single mothers living in poverty in Rwanda. Our aim is to change lives through utilizing our artistic gifts - allowing us to provide basic necessities, such as education, health care, shelter, food etc. Our founder NIYONSENGA Pacifique has delved into a humanitarian visionary, bottomless barrel of music and art through multiple mediums in his decades-spanning practice. He expresses the very essence of every particular theme in a simple yet sensual and fascinating technique. According to Niyosenga, art and music help youth serve as evidence that something as easy as a beat of the drum contributes to the fight against global poverty.
Reviewed By africanaddict - Kigali, Rwanda
This is a lovely art gallery very close to the US Embassy and the Kigali Public Library - an easy walk from either location. When we visited, Niyo (founder/owner) of the gallery was there and shared with us his story and the history of the gallery. 40% of the proceeds from sales of paintings goes back into the Niyo Foundation for working with street kids. The gallery carries quite a few artists - across the range from those more on the beginner's end of the spectrum, all the way to artists who are very advanced and talented. It's a joy to walk through and look at all the art, and learn a bit about the various artists whom we fancied. They ship around the world, so don't be concerned about suitcase space. Well worth the trip!
7. Abraham Konga Jewelry Collections
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Recycled jewelry from padlocks, Cowbone, Cowhorn and assorted handicrafts from Rwanda and East Africa in general. Masks, baskets and souvenirs
Reviewed By helenamh11 - Panama City, Panama
Abraham makes amazing jewelry that is both classy and unique. Everything is handmade and high quality. I especially love his long necklaces but his earrings and bracelets are beautiful as well! Abraham is also a great guy and a wonderful person to chat with as you browse his creations. There is a souvenir shop next to his store as well as other stores nearby, making this is a great stop for anyone looking to get some memorable souvenirs from Kigali.
8. Inema Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 687 reviews
Founded in 2012 by brothers and self-taught painters Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, the Inema Arts Centre's mission is to spur creativity for personal, social, and economic growth.At its core, Inema provides space for 10 artists-in-residence to explore their creative talent. Specialising in contemporary african art, Inema's artists produce painting, sculpture, and mixed media expressions, all of which is showcased at the Gallery at Inema Arts Center.Inema is also home to the following- Nziza Artworks, featuring bespoke jewelry, African linens and leatherworks made by women at the onsite Nziza Workshop- Art with a Mission, training children with limitted resources art to give them livelihood;- Inema Dance, our youth cultural dance troupe, Inema art center provides a room for weekly traditional dance classes to the experts .Inema is open daily from 8AM to 8 PM, located in Kigali in the suburb of Kacyiru on KG 563 Street. Contact www.choosekigali.com for accommodations & Tour
Reviewed By 570jeffersonm
Visit - and visit again! Few places in Kigali bring out the full potential of art to connect people and build community like Inema. This place is not just a gallery, it is a meeting point, an education space, a venue for music & events, and more. The brothers who operate Inema are wonderfully warm hosts. Because they are always around, you will often get a chance to learn more about the impressive artwork on display in the two-story gallery. There is so much happening at Inema that shows the artists' creativity goes well beyond their artworks. If you are just visiting, Inema is a must-seee destination, and if you are someone who lives in the area or are familiar with expat communities, you will know how valuable a community space like Inema is. Check out what is happening on their upcoming schedule and be sure to visit several times, especially the weekly Happy Hour that happens on Thursdays and is usually catered by a local restaurant. Inema's bar makes excellent signature cocktails!
9. 1000 Hills Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Founded in 2014 by two gentlemen with a love of fine whisky, stunning views and a strong sense of pride in working with local communities, 1000 Hills Distillery was born. But like most great ideas, originally they thought of starting a vineyard, but lucky for us, they thought better! To be honest, it's a challenge to find high quality ingredients, but one of the reasons we chose Rwanda in addition to the amazing resilience of the country is that we could source materials locally, thus supporting micro and small businesses. Since our beginning we come to produce five unique Made in Rwanda, triple distilled liquors, such as a Coffee Liqueur, Vodka, Light Spiced Rum, London Dry Gin and Single Malt Whisky! Unlike most alcohol companies, social impact is at the heart of the company! To learn more, book a Distillery Tour! From all of us at 1000 Hills Distillery, please enjoy responsibly.
Reviewed By bodo64 - London, United Kingdom
Thoroughly recommend a trip to see this distillery high up in the hills overlooking Kigali, it has a real chilled vibe to the place with fantastic cocktails and excellent food. I was met by Hussain, who was delightfully engaging, and shown to the bar. After a quick g&t, I was introduced to Andrew who was equally engaging and my tour began. Andrew took me through the history and reasoning behind the business including the highs and the lows of starting a truly unique craft distillery in Rwanda. Andrew clearly knows his stuff on all aspects of the industry both local and international, a credit to the business. Andrew then talked me through the tasting stage, explaining each spirit in detail, 6 shots in total so drink plenty of water!! Included in the tour was also a cocktail from their menu, which was excellent. I decided to stay to eat and soak up those views, it was taco Tues and on Andrew recommendation, I opted for the chicken tacos. These were well presented and tasted very good indeed along with the fresh side salad and french fries. I then spent time talking with Hussain and discovered he had lived in Germany, bringing what he’d learnt from European business to Rwanda. Hussain is passionate about life, business and people, a true asset to the distillery and Rwanda. Before leaving, Hussain kindly arranged a local taxi ( Rwanda version of Uber) and ensured I wasn’t overcharged - brilliant!! Andrew, Hussain, thank you for your time and energy and fab conversation, I wish you both the very best in your future ventures.
