Kigali Genocide Memorial
The main memorial to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, with burial gardens and exhibitions that tell the history. It is a sombre but important place for understanding the country's past.
Kigali
Hilly and clean, the capital is the main gateway, with lively markets, cafés, art galleries and the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Attractive locations
Nyamata Genocide Memorial
A memorial in a former church south of the capital, where thousands were killed in 1994. Visitors can see the building and the burial vaults, and should come in a respectful frame of mind.
Kandt House Museum
A small museum in the former home of the founder of Kigali, with displays on the region's wildlife and an enclosure of reptiles. It gives a short introduction to local nature.
Rwanda Art Museum
A museum in the former presidential palace, showing contemporary Rwandan art alongside works from other African countries. The palace setting itself adds interest to the visit.
Inema Art Centre
A gallery and studio space that supports young Rwandan artists, with paintings, sculpture and rotating shows. Visitors can see work being made and buy pieces directly from the artists.
Campaign Against Genocide Museum
A museum inside the Rwandan Parliament building that tells how the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi was stopped by the RPF campaign. Exhibits include displays on the history of the fighting.
Kimironko Market
A busy local market in eastern Kigali with stalls of fruit, vegetables, spices, fabrics and secondhand clothes. It gives a close look at everyday city life.
Airports
Kigali International Airport KGL
It is about 3 km in a straight line from Kigali.
Kamembe Airport KME
It is about 146 km in a straight line from Kigali.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan20.3 °C96 mm
- Feb20.8 °C102 mm
- Mar20.3 °C153 mm
- Apr19.5 °C178 mm
- May19.2 °C139 mm
- Jun18.8 °C50 mm
- Jul19.0 °C31 mm
- Aug20.1 °C56 mm
- Sep20.5 °C88 mm
- Oct20.1 °C129 mm
- Nov19.4 °C160 mm
- Dec19.7 °C109 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Mar, Apr, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 27% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Kwibuka - week of remembrance (from 7 April)
Some activities stop in this week of genocide remembrance, a quiet and respectful time.
Who can help
Emergency
112 is the general emergency number. Ask your hotel or guide for local police and ambulance numbers.
local government
Rwanda National Police emergency line 112
Helps with: Rwanda has no separate tourist police unit listed. The national police list 112 as the emergency number, plus 113 for traffic accidents and 111 for fire and rescue.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Rwanda, including visitors, who needs the police urgently.
Phone: 112
Email: [email protected]
Address: P. O. Box 6304 KIGALI - RWANDA
local government
Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
Helps with: Rwanda's national development agency, which also promotes tourism through the Visit Rwanda website. Its listed contact line takes general questions; it is not an emergency service.
Who qualifies: Anyone with questions about visiting Rwanda or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1415
Email: [email protected]
Address: KN 69 Street, Kigali
ngo
Rwanda Red Cross
Helps with: Rwanda's national Red Cross society. Its work includes disaster response, first aid and health care, restoring family links for separated families, and blood donation drives.
Who qualifies: People in Rwanda who need its first aid, health, family-links or disaster help services.
Phone: +250 788 457 617
Email: [email protected]
Address: KG 15 Ave, Kacyiru, Kigali, Rwanda
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Rwanda
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Rwanda it supports the government on migration, and its work covers migrants in vulnerable situations and survivors of trafficking.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Rwanda, especially vulnerable migrants and trafficking survivors. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +250 788 389 723
Email: [email protected]
Address: KG 227 28 St, Amarembo, Nyabisindu Cell, Remera, P.O. Box 1126, Kigali, Rwanda
local government
Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA)
Helps with: Rwanda's emergency management ministry, which coordinates disaster response and recovery. Its page lists the toll-free number 170 and an email address.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Rwanda affected by a disaster or needing to report one.
Phone: 170
Email: [email protected]
embassy
Foreign embassies in Rwanda (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The ministry's page says 47 missions are based in Kigali and links PDF lists of them.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.