Kigali - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
It is really people depending. Some people find Rwanda a place with lots of things to do, some do not. Most of people would do hiking. Rwanda is the country of thousand hills, beautiful green national parks. Gorilla tracking is a unique experience. It is very expensive though. Akagera National Park provides a nice experience of safari where if lucky you can see the big five. Coffee plantations are becoming more and more of a trend to visit. In Kigali, there is not much to do. - Oct 2023
There’s not a lot of amenities in the country. There is a horse riding place and one or two restaurants with kids playgrounds. - Jan 2022
See above answer. Hidden gems are: the chimp trek in Nyungwe (booked through RDB), canoeing (see above), and the Lakeside Fish Farm for a nice day out from Kigali. - Jul 2020
The National Parks, Lake Kivu. My favorite place is Ruzizi Lodge in Akagera Park, watching the hippos while having my morning tea. Drive across the border to Uganda for even more beautiful scenery at Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi, etc. Reasonably well connected airport. - Sep 2019
See above. - Jun 2018
Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda is a "hidden gem"...the vibe in Uganda is different than Rwanda and can be a welcome change. - Dec 2017
I don't know about hidden gems, but you should do a gorilla trek, visit Akagera game park, and generally get out of the city. - Jan 2017
There's the Gasagara pottery place where you can get a hands on lesson and buy pottery circa 90 mins from Kigali. Sorwathe Tea plantation is also that same distance and is very scenic for a day trip to learn about how tea is processed. Azizi life offers cultural excursions where you can see what life in the village is like and that is just over an hour away. There is trekking the Congo Nile trail for those interested. - Apr 2016
If you look for it, you can find it. I heard of a moto-polo match happening weekly but never took the time to go and find it. Kigali Life is a great resource as are the Living in Kigali and Eating in Kigali sites. - Oct 2014
Visiting Rosamond Carr's plantation and orphanage Imbabazi where Diane Fossi often stayed. Lots of beautiful crafts especially with weaving and African products---my favorite is the Nyamirambo women's center! - Jul 2014
Go see the gorillas, a weekend on Lake Kivu, a safari in Akagera, or just relax in the wonderful weather. - Sep 2013
BBQs on the weekend, soccer matches at the national stadium, the dining scene, weekend getaways to Lake Kivu, safaris in Akagera, gorilla tracking, other hiking opportunities. - May 2012
There is not much to do here. - Apr 2012
Kigali - the memorial, exploring the various neighborhoodsOutside of Kigali - make a trip to Nyungwe Forest. Don't just see the gorillas, the golden monkeys, Dian Fossey trail, Mt Karisimbi hike are wonderful as well. - Jul 2011
A few food spots. There are some nightclubs that are filled with a lot of stinky locals that love to dance and sweat. Most fun is had outside of the capital, checking out the jungle to the south west or the parks in the North and East. - Oct 2010
Interesting:Butare's National Museum and Kigali's Genocide Memorial. Fun: Lake Kivu, with beautiful Kibuye and Gisenyi town. Also many other small road trips throughout the country. Akagera is a small game park in the east of Rwanda and is a good starter park. You can camp or stay in a hotel there. Nyungwe forest is an often over looked park here in Rwanda. It is full of monkeys, hiking and a general rainforest habitat. Oh and of course Gorilla Trekking. - Jan 2010
I really enjoyed exploring the Rwanda's 1000 hills. I mountain biked regularly, ran, hike and climbed through out the country. There is the gorillas, mountain climbs, forest hike, primate treks, small safari game park and camped. Uganda has many options which are less than a days drive. Non-U.S. mission folks can climb an active volcano in Congo. There are reasonable priced flight to Kenya and Tanzania for safaris and beaches. I wasn't bored. - Sep 2008
Everyone will talk about the Mountain Gorilla's. But remember, the cost is significant and requires reservations months ahead of time. Although various agencies can arrange impromtu reservations, large parties and cost can be a hindering factor. The expat community as well as the various embassies will have activities which are spread by word of mouth and/or email. The majority of the expat community will travel on the weekend to smaller cities, go to the various lakes, take nature walks, visit restaurants, and/or utilize hotel or private sports clubs. - Aug 2008
