Welcome to Rwanda: Your First Days, from Kigali Airport to the Parks

Step 1 · Leaving the airport

Into the city

About 10 km, 15 to 25 minutesKigali International Airport is close to the centre. Airport taxis charge about RWF 15,000 to 20,000; agree the fare before you set off.

Ride-hailing

Yego Cab appUsually about RWF 8,000 to 15,000 into town. Uber does not operate in Rwanda. A city bus runs for about RWF 700, but it is hard with luggage.

Visa

On arrival, up to $50Available to all nationalities for a single entry. The $100 East Africa Tourist Visa also covers Uganda and Kenya.

No plastic bags

Banned since 2008Single-use plastic bags are not allowed in Rwanda and may be taken from your luggage on arrival.

Last Saturday of the month

Umuganda morningCommunity work day. Many places open later, such as the Genocide Memorial, which opens at 1 p.m. that day.

In an emergency

112General emergency line. Ambulance 912, traffic police 118.

Step 2 · Kigali

A clean, green, hilly city that is easy to explore in a day or two.

Start here

Kigali Genocide Memorial

The best place to begin understanding Rwanda's recent history, with gardens, exhibitions and the graves of more than 250,000 victims. Allow two to three hours.

Free entry; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., last entry 4 p.m.; no photos inside, no children under 12

Kigali Genocide Memorial ↗

Nature in the city

Nyandungu Eco-Park

A restored 121-hectare wetland with about 10 km of walking and cycling paths, more than 100 bird species and a lakeside restaurant. Bikes for hire.

Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Guided bird-watching at the eco-park →Partner link

Markets and art

Kimironko Market and the galleries

Kimironko is Kigali's busiest market, for colourful kitenge fabric, tailors, baskets and fresh produce. For contemporary Rwandan art, visit the Inema Arts Center in Kacyiru.

Mornings are liveliest at the market

A morning walk

Kigali Golf Resort, Nyarutarama

The walking path around the golf course is one of Kigali’s favourite places to walk or jog, set among the city’s greenest and most upmarket neighbourhoods. It is open to the public and free, and is busiest early in the morning and at weekends.

Nyarutarama, Gasabo Open in Maps ↗

Eat and unwind

Where to eat and drink

Repub Lounge — Afro-fusion food on a rooftop terrace, good for an evening out.
16 KG 674 St, Kimihurura Open in Maps ↗
Heaven Restaurant — A long-running Kigali favourite with a terrace overlooking the city.
7 KN 29 St, Kiyovu Open in Maps ↗
The Hut — Grilled steaks, lamb and chicken with Indian touches such as tandoori chicken and naan, plus a rooftop restaurant and a pool.
KG 646 St, Rugando, Kimihurura (behind the Kigali Convention Centre) Open in Maps ↗
Hotel Chez Lando — A long-running hotel and restaurant about 10 minutes from the airport, handy on your first or last night.
KG 201 St, Airport Road, Remera (near Kisementi) Open in Maps ↗
Question Coffee — Single-origin Rwandan coffee, with cuppings and farm-to-cup tastings.
8 KG 8 Ave, Gishushu Open in Maps ↗
Kivu Noir, Kimihurura — Rwandan specialty coffee from estates around Lake Kivu, with espresso, pour-over, cold brew and pastries.
2 KG 668 St, Kimihurura Open in Maps ↗
Kivu Noir, Norrsken House — The same coffee in the city centre, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Norrsken House, 1 KN 78 St, city centre Open in Maps ↗

Rwanda grows some of the best coffee and tea in Africa, so try both. New to the city? A guided walk is an easy way to get your bearings first.

Kigali walking tour with a local guide →Partner link

Book ahead for dinner at weekends. Addresses checked November 2026.

Step 3 · Beyond Kigali

Rwanda is small: most of the highlights are within a few hours' drive of the capital.

Mountain gorillas · about 2.5 hours

Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla and golden monkey trekking on the bamboo slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, plus the Twin Lakes nearby.

Gorilla permit $1,500

Volcanoes guide →Rwanda or Uganda? →

Twin Lakes sunset canoe →Partner link

Chimpanzees and rainforest

Nyungwe National Park

Ancient montane rainforest in the south-west, with chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walkway high above the trees.

Chimpanzee permit $150

Chimpanzee tracking →The canopy walk →

Big Five savannah · about 2.5 hours

Akagera National Park

Lions, rhinos, elephants and giraffes on the plains and lakes of the east, with boat trips on Lake Ihema.

Entry $100 a day for international adults

In our Rwanda guide →

Lakeshore

Lake Kivu

Beaches, boat trips and island hops at Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi, the perfect rest after gorilla trekking.

Combine with Volcanoes or Nyungwe