Rwanda · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Rwanda
These are the places worth your time in Rwanda, from Kigali's coffee roasters and memorials to gorilla treks in the volcanoes, lakeside sunsets in Rubavu and the forest canopy of Nyungwe. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers ever see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Kigali
Arts and Culture
- Kigali Genocide Memorial (Gisozi)
The essential first stop for understanding Rwanda, with gardens of remembrance and a moving exhibition. - Inema Arts Center (Kacyiru)
A lively contemporary art centre with studios, rotating exhibitions and dance shows. - Niyo Art Gallery (Kacyiru)
A gallery and community art space showing young Rwandan painters. - Campaign Against Genocide Museum (Parliament, Kimihurura)
The bullet-scarred parliament building that tells how the genocide was stopped. - Kandt House Museum (Nyarugenge)
The former home of Kigali's colonial founder, now a small natural history museum. - Rwanda Art Museum (Kanombe)
The former presidential palace, now an art museum with wreckage of the 1994 presidential plane in the grounds. - Nyanza Genocide Memorial (Kicukiro)
A quiet memorial on the hill where the former ETO school victims were killed after UN troops withdrew. - Camp Kigali Memorial (Kiyovu)
Ten stone columns honour the Belgian peacekeepers killed on the first day of the genocide.
Shopping and Markets
- Kimironko Market (Kimironko)
The city's liveliest market for fresh produce, kitenge fabric, baskets and tailors who sew in a day. - Caplaki Crafts Village (Kiyovu)
A cluster of craft stalls for baskets, carvings, jewellery and imigongo art, made for browsing. - Azizi Life (Kigali)
Fair trade baskets and crafts from rural artisan cooperatives. - Kigali Heights (Kimihurura)
A modern mall with cafés, a supermarket and shops across from the convention centre. - Nyabugogo Market (Nyabugogo)
A huge, busy trading area by the main bus park for everything from fabric to household goods. - Kigali City Tower (City centre)
Downtown's landmark tower with shops, a supermarket and a cinema.
Cafés
- Question Coffee (Gishushu)
A roastery café that trains women coffee farmers and runs cupping sessions on Rwandan beans. - Bourbon Coffee (Kigali Heights)
A homegrown coffee chain with reliable Rwandan brews and plenty of seats for planning your day.
Restaurants
- Heaven Restaurant (Kiyovu)
A long-loved terrace restaurant with city views and a menu built on Rwandan produce. - Repub Lounge (Kiyovu)
A leafy hillside lounge for creative African dishes and cocktails under the lanterns. - Khana Khazana (Kiyovu)
The city's classic Indian restaurant, a favourite of residents for decades. - Meze Fresh (Kacyiru)
A busy, casual spot for burritos and bowls that is popular with students and young professionals. - Pili Pili (Kibagabaga)
A hilltop restaurant with a pool, wood-fired pizza and wide views over the city at sunset. - Poivre Noir (Kimihurura)
A polished French and Belgian kitchen popular for special dinners.
Things to Do
- Nyamirambo Women's Center walking tour (Nyamirambo)
A walking tour of the city's most colourful neighbourhood, led by a women's cooperative. - Kigali Golf Resort (Nyarutarama)
A scenic hillside golf course open to visitors. - Kigali Convention Centre lights (Kimihurura)
The dome lights up in shifting colours each evening, a favourite photo stop.
Bars and Nightlife
- Pili Pili sunset terrace (Kibagabaga)
Cocktails by the pool as the lights come on across the hills.
Nature and Outdoors
- Nyandungu Eco Park (Nyandungu)
Restored wetlands with paths, bird hides and a medicinal garden, perfect for a gentle walk. - Mount Kigali (Nyamirambo)
A hike or quad ride up the city's highest hill for sweeping views.
Events
- Kwibuka commemoration (Citywide)
From 7 April, the national commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi, a solemn time to join respectfully. - Basketball Africa League games (BK Arena)
Watch top African club basketball in the modern BK Arena when the league is in town. - Kigali International Peace Marathon (Kigali)
A road race through the city's hills that welcomes runners of every level. - Umuganura harvest festival (Citywide)
The national harvest day in August, with traditional dance, food and celebration.
Stays
- Hôtel des Mille Collines (Kiyovu)
The famous hotel from the film Hotel Rwanda, with a pool terrace that is still a city meeting point. - The Retreat by Heaven (Kiyovu)
A small boutique hotel with a saltwater pool and a fine dining restaurant. - Kigali Serena Hotel (Kiyovu)
A classic city hotel with large gardens and a central location. - Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre (Kimihurura)
A big modern hotel beside the domed convention centre.
Places to Visit in Musanze
Nature and Outdoors
- Mountain gorilla trekking (Volcanoes National Park)
The headline experience of Rwanda: an hour with a habituated gorilla family on the volcano slopes. - Golden monkey trekking (Volcanoes National Park)
A lighter trek to playful golden monkeys in the bamboo forest. - Dian Fossey's grave hike (Volcanoes National Park)
A steep forest walk to the Karisoke research site and the grave of the famous primatologist. - Mount Bisoke crater lake hike (Volcanoes National Park)
A day climb to a crater lake on the border with Congo. - Musanze Caves (Musanze town)
Volcanic lava tubes with bats and dramatic light shafts. - Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo (Burera)
Boat rides and views on two lakes ringed by terraced hills.
Arts and Culture
- Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Kinigi)
A striking new research and visitor centre about gorilla conservation. - Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village (Kinigi)
Former poachers and their families share dance, songs and traditional crafts.
Stays
- Bisate Lodge (Kinigi)
Forest villas on an eroded volcanic cone with views of Bisoke and Karisimbi. - Virunga Lodge (Ruhondo ridge)
A ridge-top lodge overlooking the twin lakes and the volcanoes. - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Kinigi)
Stone cottages close to the park headquarters. - La Palme Hotel (Musanze town)
A good value town hotel with a garden restaurant.
Shopping and Markets
- Musanze Market (Musanze town)
A big local market full of potatoes, beans and colourful fabric.
Things to Do
- Buhanga Eco Park (Nyakinama)
A sacred forest of ancient trees linked to royal rituals. - Red Rocks Cultural Centre (Nyakinama)
A creative hub offering cooking, banana beer and craft experiences.
Events
- Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony (Kinigi)
The annual celebration where baby gorillas are named, with music and dance.
Places to Visit in Rubavu
Nature and Outdoors
- Lake Kivu public beach (Lakeside promenade)
A sandy town beach with swimming and evening strolls under the palms. - Gisenyi hot springs (Rubona)
Natural hot springs on the lakeshore that locals use for bathing.
Stays
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Lakeside)
A classic lakeside hotel with a private beach and gardens. - Paradis Malahide (Rubavu)
Rustic cottages on the lake shore with a beach bar.
Things to Do
- Rubona peninsula (Rubona)
Fishing boats, hot springs and a slower pace just south of town. - Congo Nile Trail (From Rubavu)
A trail along the lake through coffee and banana hills, by bike or on foot. - Kivu night fishermen (Rubona)
Watch the fishermen row out at dusk singing to keep time.
Restaurants
- Bikini Tam Tam (Lakeside)
A beach bar and grill for fish, brochettes and sunset drinks.
Shopping and Markets
- Gisenyi Market (Town centre)
A busy local market where traders from both sides of the border shop.
Cafés
- Lake Kivu sunset terrace at Serena (Lakeside)
A drink on the lawn as the sun sets over the Congo mountains.
Places to Visit in Karongi
Stays
- Cormoran Lodge (Kibuye)
Wooden lodges on the lake shore, with kayaks and calm water.
Arts and Culture
- Bethany Hotel and Kibuye Memorial Church (Kibuye)
A lakeside town with a hilltop memorial church overlooking the water.
Things to Do
- Kibuye boat trip to Napoleon Island (Kibuye)
Boat out to islands with fruit bats and swimming spots.
Places to Visit in Nyungwe National Park
Nature and Outdoors
- Chimpanzee trekking (Cyamudongo and Uwinka)
An early start to track wild chimps through dense montane forest. - Nyungwe Canopy Walk (Uwinka)
A suspension bridge high above the forest canopy, unique in East Africa. - Isumo Waterfall Trail (Gisakura)
A trail through tree ferns to a beautiful waterfall. - Colobus monkey walk (Gisakura)
See big troops of black and white colobus monkeys near the tea estate. - Bigugu Trail (Uwinka)
A tough hike to the park's highest summit and wild orchids. - Igishigishigi Trail (Uwinka)
A short loop that leads to the canopy walk, ideal for families.
Stays
- One&Only Nyungwe House (Gisakura)
A luxurious forest lodge set inside a working tea plantation. - Gisakura Guest House (Gisakura)
A simple, friendly guesthouse right on the park edge. - Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Gisakura)
Hilltop cottages with views over the tea plantations and forest.
Things to Do
- Gisakura Tea Estate (Gisakura)
Walk through glossy green tea fields at the forest edge. - Lake Kivu at Rusizi and Kamembe (Rusizi)
The quiet south end of the lake near the Congo border.
Places to Visit in Akagera National Park
Nature and Outdoors
- Akagera game drives (Akagera)
The Big Five on Rwanda's only savannah, restored by African Parks. - Lake Ihema boat safari (Akagera)
Hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles at close range from the water. - Behind the scenes tour (Akagera)
Learn how the park's rangers and conservation team work. - Night game drive (Akagera)
Spot leopards, hyenas and bush babies after dark. - Akagera sport fishing on Lake Shakani (Akagera)
A peaceful morning fishing on a quiet lake.
Stays
- Magashi Camp (Lake Rwanyakazinga)
A luxury tented camp on a private lakeshore in the north of the park. - Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Lake Ihema)
Tented rooms on the shore of Lake Ihema. - Akagera Game Lodge (Akagera)
A family-friendly lodge with a pool and a savannah view. - Karenge Bush Camp (Akagera)
A seasonal bush camp for a simpler safari experience.
Places to Visit in Huye
Arts and Culture
- Ethnographic Museum (Huye)
Rwanda's best museum for royal history, traditional crafts and daily life. - King's Palace Museum (Nyanza)
A reconstruction of the royal palace with the famous long-horned Inyambo cattle. - Murambi Genocide Memorial (Nyamagabe)
A deeply moving memorial in a former school on a hilltop. - National Art Gallery Rwesero (Nyanza)
Rwandan art in a former royal palace on a hilltop. - Ingoma Nshya women drummers (Huye)
Rwanda's first women drumming group, offering drumming workshops.
Cafés
- Huye Mountain Coffee (Huye)
Tours of a coffee washing station with tastings.
Nature and Outdoors
- Arboretum of Ruhande (Huye)
A peaceful forest arboretum beside the university campus.
Shopping and Markets
- Huye Market (Huye)
A busy regional market with fresh produce and crafts.
Restaurants
- Inzozi Nziza ice cream (Huye)
Rwanda's first ice cream parlour, run by a women's drumming cooperative.
Things to Do
- Butare Cathedral (Huye)
A big red-brick cathedral built in the 1930s.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Nyamirambo buffet lunch spots (Nyamirambo, Kigali)
Local lunch buffets piled with isombe, plantain, beans and brochettes, where office workers eat. - Car Free Day (Citywide, Kigali)
On some Sunday mornings main roads close for mass fitness sessions, cycling and free health checks. - Riders Lounge (Kimihurura, Kigali)
A popular rooftop bar and club where Kigali goes out on weekends. - Sundowner (Kimihurura, Kigali)
A laid-back garden bar with music and a young crowd. - Kigali Marriott rooftop bar (Kiyovu, Kigali)
A calm rooftop for an evening drink with city views. - Mount Jali (Gasabo, Kigali)
A hilltop with walking paths and views over the northern suburbs. - Kigali Up Festival (Kigali, Kigali)
A music festival bringing together Rwandan and African artists. - Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel (Kiyovu, Kigali)
A social, good value base for backpackers that supports youth programmes. - Inzora Rooftop Café (Kiyovu, Kigali)
A bookshop café on a rooftop serving Rwandan coffee and light meals. - Kigali Coffee Shops at Kisimenti (Remera, Kigali)
A strip of casual cafés in Remera that buzz with students and workers. - Amakoro Songa Lodge (Kinigi, Musanze)
A small lodge near the park with a friendly, local feel. - La Paillotte (Musanze town, Musanze)
A simple town café and bakery for brochettes, samosas and coffee. - Volcana Lounge (Musanze town, Musanze)
Pizza and grills in a relaxed garden. - Inzu Lodge (Rubavu, Rubavu)
Simple, eco-minded tented rooms in a garden above the lake. - Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (Lakeside, Rubavu)
A lakeshore hotel near the beach with a pool. - Calafia Café (Rubavu, Rubavu)
A garden café near the lake popular for coffee and homemade food. - Kivu Noir coffee (Rubavu, Rubavu)
A specialty coffee brand from the Kivu shore with a tasting café. - Bralirwa brewery viewpoint (Rubavu, Rubavu)
The country's big brewery on the lake shore, a local landmark. - Kivu Beach Festival (Rubavu, Rubavu)
A beach music and culture festival on the lakeshore. - Boat trip to Napoleon's Island (From Rubavu or Karongi, Rubavu)
Explore the islands and bat colonies of Lake Kivu by boat. - Rwiza Village (Kibuye, Karongi)
A tranquil lakeshore guesthouse in green gardens. - Kitabi Eco Center (Kitabi, Nyungwe National Park)
A community eco camp with tea tours and cultural visits. - Akagera community visits (Park edge, Akagera National Park)
Meet beekeepers and craft cooperatives near the park gates. - Nyamagabe tea fields (Nyamagabe, Huye)
Drive through endless green tea plantations. - Hotel Credo (Huye, Huye)
A long-running town hotel near the university.