Rwanda
Where to stay in Kigali
Kigali is a city in Rwanda, home to about 1,746,000 people.
- Best months
- June to August
- Nearest airport
- KGL3 km · Kigali International Airport
- Currency
- RWFRwandan franc
- Time zone
- Africa/Kigali
- Language
- English, French, Kinyarwanda
About
About Kigali
Kigali, officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City (abbreviated as KGL), is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills marked by valleys and ridges connected by steep slopes.
With a population topping 1 million, the city spreads over several hills and valleys, with many of the better restaurants and hotels away from the traditional downtown area. The Kigali City Masterplan outlines the future for this burgeoning metropolis, with plans for a new city to be built south of the current city centre.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Kigali
See
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
- Presidential Palace Museum
- Inema Arts Centre
- Kandt House Museum
- Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial
- Campaign Against Genocide Museum
- Nyanza Genocide Memorial
Do
Take a trip to a craft centre, like the Dancing Pots Craft Centre or the Cards for Africa workshop and sales room in Kigali.
- Nyandungu Eco-park
- Gisozi circuit
- Ten pin bowling
- Nyamirambo Women's Center
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Kigali to stay in
Accommodation in downtown Kigali is noticeably more expensive than neighboring capitals like Kampala and Nairobi. Most of the budget options (for example the Hotel Gloria mentioned in older LPs) are gone. Outside the city center however, it is possible to find good budget options.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Kigali
47 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata; the 40 best known are shown, by the number of Wikipedia editions that cover them. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Hôtel des Mille Collines | 1973 | 5.9 km |
| Lebanon Hotel | 0.5 km | |
| Palast Rock Hotel | 23.0 km | |
| Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre Kigali | 2.5 km | |
| Ubumwe Grande Hotel | 6.0 km | |
| 5 Swiss Hotel | 5.8 km | |
| Anthurium Residential Hotel | 7.3 km | |
| Dmall Hotel | 1.3 km | |
| Ecoair Apartment Hotel | 3.7 km | |
| Five to Five Hotel | 0.6 km | |
| Garr Hotel | 2.5 km | |
| Golf Hills Residence Hotel | 3.6 km | |
| Good News Guesthouse | 4.4 km | |
| Gorillas Golf Hotel | 1.4 km | |
| Grand Legacy Hotel | 1.0 km | |
| Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel | 5.6 km | |
| High Ground Villa | 7.3 km | |
| Hotel Chez Lando | 1.0 km | |
| Hôtel Le Garni | 5.9 km | |
| Hotel Villa Portofino Kigali | 3.5 km | |
| Inzozi Africa House B&B | 4.5 km | |
| Kigali Marriott Hotel | 5.9 km | |
| Kigaliview Hotel and Apartments | 8.5 km | |
| La Posh Hotel | 6.3 km | |
| Lapalise hotel nyamata | 21.4 km | |
| Legend Hotel | 5.2 km | |
| Lemigo Hotel | 2.1 km | |
| Nobleza Hotel | 5.6 km | |
| Onomo Hotel Kigali | 4.8 km | |
| Park Inn by Radisson Kigali | 5.0 km | |
| Pili Pili Boutique Hotel | 2.4 km | |
| Quiet Haven Hotel | 2.7 km | |
| Rohi Apartments | 1.8 km | |
| Sainte Famille Hotel | 6.4 km | |
| Scheba Hotel | 5.1 km | |
| Select Boutique Hotel | 1.9 km | |
| Sinai Suites Hotel | 1.8 km | |
| Stipp Hotel Kiyovu | 5.2 km | |
| The Country Inn Hotel | 3.8 km | |
| The Court Boutique Hotel | 1.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Kigali
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kigali are June to August. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C; April is the wettest, with about 140 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Kigali: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kigali International Airport (KGL), about 3.3 km from the city centre in a straight line; Goma International Airport (GOM, 103 km) and Savannah Airstrip (KHX, 145 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Motos (motorcycle taxis) are the most popular and fastest way to get around town. Fares range between FRw400-1500, depending on distance, but most motorcyclists will ask for FRw500-1000. A trip to or from the airport should be FRw1500-2000 (Feb 2024). Fares are not fixed and haggling for the best price is common. On the main road out to the airport they really put their foot down. It is however a good well sealed road, nice views over Kigali City and a thrilling ride.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
KGL · Kigali International Airport
GOM · Goma International Airport
KHX · Savannah Airstrip
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Kigali
Eat
By all standards Kigali is an excellent city in which to dine. A combination of Belgian culinary influence, plenty of cows, plenty of freshwater fish, and plenty of fresh vegetables equates to some of the best eating in the region. And it's all pretty affordable. Kigali restaurants and bars go in and out of fashion, not to mention close down, quite frequently. Check for the latest once you are in town; some places mentioned in some print guidebooks no longer exist. (The oft-mentioned Turtle Cafe has been closed since 2003!) The region restaurants take their time – with a usual 45 minutes to 1 hour wait between ordering and your food arriving, especially for dinner.
Drink
Bottled water is recommended for foreign visitors. It can be bought at almost every supermarket or pump station. About FRw2,500 without deposit.
Stay safe
Kigali is relatively safe and friendly as far as African capitals go. Keep your eyes open and your wallet out of the reach of pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. Avoid walking after dark if possible, especially alone. Take extra precaution in the area between New Cadilac Nightclub and Carwash bar. Police officers are generally helpful if you're in a bind, but don't expect speedy results.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Kigali: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Kigali?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kigali are June to August. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C; April is the wettest, with about 140 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Kigali?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kigali International Airport (KGL), about 3.3 km from the city centre in a straight line; Goma International Airport (GOM, 103 km) and Savannah Airstrip (KHX, 145 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Kigali?
Rwandan franc (RWF).
Nearby
Destinations near Kigali
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.