Kigali is a relatively new city, founded as an administrative outpost in 1907, becoming the countries capital city on 1962 at independence. It is perfectly located in the centre of Rwanda, offering good road links out to the rest of the country. This green city is laid back, but also on the move, welcoming development and a vision for the future.
While Kigali is embracing the future it also looks to honour the past. No trip to Kigali would be complete without visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. You should plan to spend half a day here, in the location of this mass burial site, where it is estimated that almost 250,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus are buried. The memorial is both powerful and moving and in addition to paying meaningful tribute to those who perished, it also looks to educate visitors and explain how the world watched the 1994 genocide unfold.
Development in Kigali is happening at a rapid pace, with it’s just over 1 million inhabitants embracing the change. This growth has led to the development of a number of malls and new places to dine, often with panoramic views. This is a city where visitors can feel safe to get out and about on foot and explore the tree lined boulevards and immaculately maintained squares.
