Memorial
Capital city
Kigali
Rwanda's green, hilly capital: museums, markets and food.
- City of Kigali
- Best: Jun–Sep
Overview
- Airport
- Kigali International (KGL)
- Currency
- Rwandan franc (RWF)
- Car-free days
- Sunday mornings, set dates
- To Volcanoes NP
- About 2.5 hours
Kigali spreads across green hills in the centre of the country and is Rwanda's main gateway, home to Kigali International Airport. It is known for clean streets, monthly car-free days and a growing café, restaurant and arts scene.
Most visitors start at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Other sights include Kandt House Museum, the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in the Parliament building, the Kigali Convention Centre and art spaces such as Inema Arts Center.
Kimironko Market is the place for fabric, baskets and fresh produce, and Nyamirambo, the oldest neighbourhood, can be explored on community-run walking tours.
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
The essential first visit to understand Rwanda's history.
- Kimironko Market
Fabrics, tailors, baskets and fresh produce under one roof.
- Campaign Against Genocide Museum
The story of the 1990–1994 liberation campaign, in the Parliament building.
Things to do
- Museum visitsFrom RWF 15,000
Kandt House and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
- Nyamirambo walking tour
Community-run tours of the oldest neighbourhood.
- Market shopping
Kimironko and Kigali's craft cooperatives.
- Art galleries
Contemporary Rwandan art at Inema and other centres.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
When to go
Good all year. April and May are wettest; June to September are dry and sunny.
- Jan: Good
- Feb: Good
- Mar: Good
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Good
- Dec: Good
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (Admission fees in museums). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kandt House Museum (exhibition and reptiles)per adultRwandan citizens: RWF 4,000. Students: RWF 1,000 / 4,000 / 8,000 (Rwandan or resident / African / international). | RWF 15,000 | RWF 4,000 | RWF 8,000 | RWF 8,000 |
| Campaign Against Genocide Museumper adultRwandan citizens: RWF 10,000. Students: RWF 3,000 / 7,000 / 12,000 (Rwandan or resident / African / international). | RWF 20,000 | RWF 10,000 | RWF 18,000 | RWF 18,000 |
- Kandt House Museum (exhibition and reptiles)per adult
- Foreign non-resident
- RWF 15,000
- Foreign resident
- RWF 4,000
- Rest of Africa
- RWF 8,000
- East African citizen
- RWF 8,000
Rwandan citizens: RWF 4,000. Students: RWF 1,000 / 4,000 / 8,000 (Rwandan or resident / African / international).
- Campaign Against Genocide Museumper adult
- Foreign non-resident
- RWF 20,000
- Foreign resident
- RWF 10,000
- Rest of Africa
- RWF 18,000
- East African citizen
- RWF 18,000
Rwandan citizens: RWF 10,000. Students: RWF 3,000 / 7,000 / 12,000 (Rwandan or resident / African / international).
- Rwandans and residents of Rwanda pay the lowest rate; other East African citizens pay the African rate. Students pay less, and groups of 30 or more get 20% off.
- Museums open daily 9 am – 5 pm; on Umuganda (the last Saturday of the month) they open at noon. All museums close on 7 April, 25 December and 1 January.
Getting there
- By roadFrom Kigali International AirportAbout 20–30 minutes
Taxis and hotel transfers to the city centre.
- By airFrom Kampala or NairobiAbout 1–1.5 hours
Regular flights from East African capitals.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- On Umuganda, the last Saturday of each month, most businesses close and traffic stops until about midday.
- Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda and may be taken from your luggage on arrival.
- Motorbike taxis are common; riders must give you a helmet.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Kigali?
One or two days covers the Genocide Memorial, a museum, a market and a walking tour. Many visitors add a day at each end of a safari.
What is Umuganda?
Monthly community work on the last Saturday morning of the month. Shops, transport and museums open late, so plan around it.
Sources
Checked on 25 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
Report a mistake on this pageCombine your trip
Places to pair with Kigali
Memorial
National parkEastern Province
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's Big Five savanna park, with lakes along the Tanzanian border.
Museum and royal palaceSouthern Province
King's Palace Museum, Nyanza
A royal palace, a 1930s king's residence and long-horned Inyambo cattle.