Umusambi Village Nature Reserve

Umusambi Village is Kigali’s premier wildlife sanctuary and nature reserve. It is located on the outskirts of Kigali City along the Kigali – Rwamagana highway which is also the route to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s savannah park. Umusambi Village is the place to go in Kigali if you want to experience nature and tranquility. It is a restored wetland that was purposely established to rehabilitate rescued Grey Crowned Cranes and is home to up 70 cranes. The reserve has a neat trail network that provides access to the swamp, bushes, grasslands and woodland areas. For the keen birder it is an excellent spot as the wetland has more than 100 bird species.

Go here for more about Umusambi Village

Nyandungu Eco-tourism Park

Nyandungu Eco-tourism Park is also established from a restored wetland in Kigali City. The 121.7 hectares of wetland and forest park has a neat 10km trail of walking and cycling trails providing a nice nature experience as you walk or cycle through the different habitats of the eco-park. For the birders, this is another exciting place in Kigali where one can spend a full day on the birding trail ticking off lots of local species. About 100 bird species are said to inhabit Nyandungu wetlands. Maybe you just want to have a meal in a different environment away from the hustle of the city hotels and restaurants? The park has a classy restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while taking in the nice views of ponds and bushes teeming with birdlife.

Read more about Nyandungu Eco Park

Nyamirambo Women’s Center & the Nyamirambo Walking tour

The Nyamirambo Women’s Center is a cooperative by local women which offers skills to other women in the area as a way of uplifting them economically and socially. The centre teaches basket weaving, handcraft making, cooking, computer literacy, sewing, etc…  You can visit the centre to see a variety of handcrafts made by women, or you can book to join a class for some activities such as cooking local dishes and weaving.

The Nyamirambo Women’s Center also organizes a Nyamirambo walking tour. Nyamirambo is one of the most vibrant suburbs of Kigali. This is a great tour to discover the way of life of the local Rwandans living in the suburbs. You will check out the local markets, the local businesses, and chat with the locals along the way. At the end of the walking tour you can be hosted for lunch by one of the residents of Nyamirambo, this is if you started the tour in the morning. The walking tour is normally done as a half-day experience starting in the morning, so allow up to 3 hours.

Kigali Car Free Zone

In the center of the hustle and bustle of Kigali City in Nyarugenge District is a car-free zone which is a stretch covering an entire street. It is a pedestrian only stretch and it is lovely to walk, take a rest or buy souvenirs from craft shops. Often there will be exhibitions and entertainment on the weekend hence a nice place to check out while on your visit to Kigali.

Kimironko Market

This is the biggest and busiest market in Kigali where almost everything is sold from foodstuffs and fabrics to clothing. This is an economic landmark which should not miss out on your Kigali day tour itinerary. You have your measurements taken by a skilful tailor and get colourful African wear made for you in a matter of hours.

Kaplaki Handicrafts market

This is a large crafts market and it is the place to visit if you are looking to purchase your handcraft souvenirs

Hiking Mount Kigali – the highest point in Kigali (1850m)

You go on a hike on the highest point of Kigali and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Could take you about 2 hours, starting the hike from the Nyambirambo suburb. You could also just drive to the summit.

Kigali Conventional Center

The convention centre has become an icon of Kigali City. It has an intriguing design of the Rwandan traditional agaseke basket and has different colour themes every night. It is such a spectacle at night and a must-see.

Old and New Kigali

Kigali has a plan of what they want the city to look like, and there is already a new Kigali that is developing to take the old Kigali. So crossing between the new and old Kigali gives you a picture of what Kigali has been and what it will be in the next decade.

Kigali Golf course

If you are a golf player, the Kigali Golf Club is one of the most beautiful courses you can play on. A 9-hole golf course, it is situated in a lush environment near Lake Nyarutarama. You can also visit simply to enjoy the scenery. You can combine a visit the golf club with the lake.

Lake Nyarutarama

For nature lovers, this is a little lake situated near the golf club. The lake is surrounded with bush and woodland and the bird lovers it offers a good birding opportunity in Kigali.

Roof top restaurant at Ubumwe Grande Hotel

The roof top restaurant commands panoramic views over Kigali. Visit the restaurant for dinner or lunch and enjoy the breathtaking views of Kigali’s cityscape

Art galleries

For the art lovers, Kigali has a range of art galleries for you to savor. Inema Art gallery is the most popular and if you are to include an art gallery in your Kigali day tour then this is one of the highly recommended galleries.