Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda feels like a quiet flex—a city that doesn’t need to shout to impress you. I visited Kigali to round out my Detty December travels, where I spent most of my time galavanting through the streets of Cape Town. Boy, was that a time! My curiosity to explore more of East Africa led me to Rwanda, specifically Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and largest city. I first intended to split my time between Kigali and a town around Lake Kivu, but I was down bad with a cold after leaving Cape Town and decided to stay in Kigali. Rwanda is often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills” and this couldn't be any more accurate. The agriculture was vast and the rolling green hills captivated me at every turn. Any video I came across about Kigali praised how it is the cleanest and one of the safest cities in Africa. They weren’t lying! Spotless, without any trash cans in sight! Beyond the spotless streets, housed booming architectural developments, calm energy and collective care. Kinyarwanda is spoken everywhere, alongside French and thankfully English, which made meeting people all the more easier for me as a solo, female traveler. The people of Kigali are warm, polite and friendly and are for women empowerment. Name a better city to be a solo female traveler in?! There is an undeniable awareness of the country’s history; most tragically the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Yet, what struck me most was how forward-looking Kigali feels: a city grounded in tradition, shaped by healing, and moving with clear purpose toward becoming a major force on the continent. Let’s go to Kigali!

Quick Facts

Rwanda is land locked between 4 countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Currency: 1400 Rwandan Franc (RWF) = ~ 1 USD
Near the equator but due to the elevation, Rwandans experience mild temperatures year-round, and have 2 rainy seasons (February-May and October-December)
Temperatures are a high of 82F/28C and a low of 59F/15C
The upper part of the Nile river flows alongside the western part of the country
Lake Kivu, in the western part of the country, borders the DRC

Where to Stay

Eagle View Lodge

I stayed here for majority of my stay and I LOVED it! The property was peaceful, situated in the hills, with great views of the city. The staff was lovely and provided great customer service. The accommodations were generous! There was so much space, in both the standard room and in the studio. Daily breakfast had good options and the chef even took my special request to make a pepper sauce for my eggs (as a Naija babe, I love my spices). The location was a bit of a distance away from downtown, ~20 minutes, but often times there’s motos (motor bikes) driving back and forth waiting for riders.

M Hotel

I stayed at M hotel my last night aaaand, I didn’t like it. Other than the customer service and location, the hotel was definitely 2-3 stars. The linens, shower, and decor…all dingy, outdated, and not fresh. The breakfast, meh. I honestly didn’t spend much time here so it didn’t bother me as much.

Zaria Court

Where I wanted to stay but couldn’t justify the price for what I was getting. This is a Hilton property and from the pictures, looked pretty much like a 4 star hotel. It had a conference center, restaurants, etc. but it was close to $200/night. In Kigali that’s A LOT. I will probably stay here when I visit Kigali again though because of the amenities and location was near most of what I wanted to see and do.

Areas to stay

Kiyovu: central district, with close walks to cafés, galleries, markets, and cultural sites, popular with first-time visitors who want easy access to city landmarks

Ville / Downtown Kigali: heart of the city, near the Car-Free Zone area, with big hotels, shops, and museums. It’s busy and atmospheric, and easy to navigate

Kimihurura: here is where you’ll meet people, great social scene, filled with restaurants, rooftop bars, and co-working spaces, plus events and nightlife

Nyarutarama: calm vibes, upscale neighborhood with stunning views, quiet streets, and a more relaxed pace

Things to Do

In Kigali

Kimironko Market

Gihanga Institute of Contemporary Art

Umurishyo Arts Gallery

Niyo Arts Center

Inema Arts Center

Zaria Court (Sports Arena & shopping)

Walk Kigali Car-free Zone

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Nyanza Genocide Memorial Centre

Outside kigali

Day trip to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)

Kayaking

Hiking

Nyungwe National Park

Gorilla Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking

Tea plantation

Camping

Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Biosphere Reserve

Let’s Eat & Drink

Rua

Jollof Kigali

L’abidjanaise

Poivre Noir

Boho

Eagle View Restaurant

Soy

Kozo

Lavana

The Hut

Indigo Cafe Kyovu

Bamboo Rooftop

Ikigai

Bloomin Cafe

Let’s Party

I traveled to Kigali solo and left with 10+ Rwandan cousins! Always expect the unexpected when solo traveling!

Lavana

Boho

Atelier du Vin

The Lounge

Lemon

Repub

Travel Jawn Tips

Money
- The exchange rate is loooong. Western currency goes very far, however, don’t be like me and get 5000 RWF bills. Get low currency bills like 1000 RWF, especially for the market and motos.
- Get a money app. This is my #1 tip for traveling throughout Africa. Fintech apps have revolutionized how Africans engage in commerce. It’s safe, convenient and efficient. Most Rwandans use Momo, but I used LemFi. I’ve used Lemfi during my last few trips to the continent in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Kenya and it has saved me. Click here and get it now!
Get a sim. I have T-Mobile and it’s usually very clutch when I travel. However, I found it slow in Kigali. So rather than having to rely on wifi, I bought a physical sim (18,000 RWF) right at the airport, before leaving.
Transportation
- Moto bikes everywhere! They are resourceful, safe inexpensive and a great way to tour the city. They’re on every road and at every intersection waiting for business. I don’t think my road rage could handle driving in Kigali with so many motos on the road!
- I usually love using Google Maps for directions when I'm traveling, but nothing beats a local’s way. Sometimes the directions took the longer, less convenient route for bikes, so don’t hesitant to switch back and forth between maps and a local’s guide.
- Move is the alternative to Uber (Uber doesn’t operate here) that uses Volkswagen vehicles for ride shares. Generally more expensive than other forms of transportation, but similar to private taxi prices.
- Greenride is an eco-friendly alternative which uses electric cars and calculates prices by a distance meter.
Aiport: Kigali has an outdoor security check before entering the terminal area. Luggages must be taken out of the car and inspected by a canine, then the cars are checked by security and passengers much go through a scanner. So BE PREPARED and come early for your flight.
Most of the apps people suggested online, like Vuba-a food delivery app, didn’t work after downloading because I needed a Rwandan or Ugandan phone number.

Traveling through the African continent is becoming my favorite thing to do! The people and cultures are diverse, the experiences are rich, the land is vast, and I feel nothing but welcomed with each country I visit. I can’t wait for the next adventure!

Let's Go to Kigali: Travel Guide