Kigali is a capital spread over facing green hills at 1,500 metres above sea level, right in the middle of Rwanda in East Africa. Founded in 1907 as a small German post, it became the capital at independence in 1962 and, after the genocide of 1994, was rebuilt almost from nothing into the orderly, safe and strikingly clean city of today. Plastic bags have been banned since 2008, and the last Saturday morning of every month is umuganda, a shared community clean up. The city is three hours from the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, and most visitors to Rwanda begin their journey here.
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See flights to Kigali →When to visit Kigali
Thanks to the altitude, daytime temperatures stay at 25C to 28C and nights at 14C to 17C all year; the real difference is rain. June to September is the long dry season and the easiest period, with dry trails for gorilla treks too. December to February is the short dry spell. March to May brings the long rains and October to November the short rains; rain comes as afternoon downpours and mornings are mostly clear.
Things to do in Kigali
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The memorial on Gisozi hill opened in 2004, on the tenth anniversary of the genocide; more than 250,000 victims lie in the mass graves in its gardens. The exhibition documents the path to the killing of close to a million people in a hundred days in 1994, with a section on child victims and a floor on other genocides around the world. Entry is free and the audio guide is paid; the visit is heavy but is the first stop for understanding Rwanda.
Kimironko Market
The covered market in the east of the city is Kigali's largest and liveliest. Beside the fruit and vegetable section run rows of stalls selling Rwanda's brightly coloured kitenge cloth, and tailors sew it into a dress or shirt the same day. The woven agaseke baskets, Rwandan coffee and tea are bought here. Mornings are calmer.
Kandt House Museum
The single storey house on Nyarugenge hill was built in 1907 by Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda and founder of Kigali, and is the oldest building in the city. The museum covers pre colonial Rwanda, the German and Belgian periods and the growth of Kigali; a section in the back garden keeps live snakes and a crocodile. It is within walking distance of the city centre.
Nyamirambo
Nyamirambo in the southwest is the oldest and busiest quarter of Kigali; it grew as the Muslim neighbourhood and is known for its mosques, painted shopfronts and eateries open late into the night. The walking tour run by the Nyamirambo Women's Center calls at barbers, home kitchens and cloth workshops, and the income goes to the women of the neighbourhood. It is the best place in Kigali to eat on the street.
Kigali Convention Centre
Opened in 2016 on Kimihurura hill, the dome of the convention centre takes its shape from the woven form of the traditional king's palace, and with its colour changing lights at night it is visible from all over the city as the emblem of the new Kigali. It stands on the airport road together with the hotel and shopping complex beside it. The inside of the dome is not open outside events, but the gardens around it and the evening view from the hill are open to all.
Nyandungu Eco Park
On the airport road, the 121 hectare park opened in 2022 with the restoration of a former wetland and is the best place in the city for birdwatching, with more than a hundred species recorded. There are 10 kilometres of walking and cycling paths between the ponds, a medicinal plant garden and a nursery of native trees. Early morning is when the birds are most active.
Flights from Turkey to Kigali
Direct flights to Kigali from Turkey leave from Istanbul Airport, operated year round by Turkish Airlines on six days a week, and take about 7 hours 5 minutes. Departures are in the evening with arrival after midnight, so the first night's stay should be arranged in advance; Rwanda is one hour behind Turkey. Kigali International Airport is about 10 kilometres east of the centre and 20 minutes by taxi.
Kigali FAQ
How many days do you need in Kigali?
The memorial, Kandt House, the market and Nyamirambo take two days. Add at least one night at Volcanoes National Park for the mountain gorillas and two more for Lake Kivu or an Akagera safari, and a Rwanda trip comes to a week.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Kigali International Airport is about 10 kilometres from the centre. A taxi takes 20 to 30 minutes; airport taxis have a fixed tariff and cars can also be called through the Yego app. Most hotels offer a pickup for night arrivals.
Do you need a visa for Rwanda?
Rwanda issues visas on arrival to citizens of all countries; on a Turkish passport a 30 day tourist visa is bought at the airport, and those who prefer can apply online in advance through the official immigration portal. A yellow fever certificate is not required for arrivals direct from Turkey. Plastic bags cannot be brought into the country and are taken at entry if found in luggage.
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