Kigali

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Introduction

Kigali is the capital and also the largest city in Rwanda. It has about 900,000 inhabitants and the city is located in the central part of the countryat an altitude of between 1300 and 1600 meters. Kigali has been the economic and cultural hart of the country since it became capital at independence in 1962. It also functions as the main transport hub for Rwanda. Compared to many other African cites, it is a pleasant and safe place with decent hotels, restaurants and transport to other parts of the country as well as internationally. It is also a good place to arrange your permit when you want to go visit the mountain gorillas in the northeast of the country.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

• Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
• Several museums

Events and Festivals

Weather

Because of its elevation the climate is surprisingly moderate and less humid than other places in low lying areas. Temperatures are usually around 6 to 9 degrees lower compared to sea level temperatures so temperatures over 28 °C are not very common. The longer wet period lasts from February to May and April is the wettest month with almost 200 mm of rain. A shorter wet period lasts from late October to early December with November being the second wettest month.

Getting There

By Plane

Kigali International Airport (KGL) near the capital receives all international flights and several domestic flights as well. Rwandair Express is the national airline of Rwanda. International flights include those to and from Bujumbura, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Kilimanjaro and Nairobi. Several other airlines from neighbouring countries have flights as well, and from Europe the only direct connections are from Brussels with Brussels Airlines.

Domestic services with Rwandair Express include flights between Kigali and Cyangugu and Gisenyi.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

Hourly (express) buses go literally everywhere in the country, with the main connections being from Kigali to Cyangugu, Gisenyi and nearby Butare.

Internationally, buses travel between Kigali and Kampala in Uganda (8 hours), Nairobi (24 hours) and Dar es Salaam (36 hours). Buses to Cyangugu and Gisenyi sometimes travel onwards to the cities of Bukavu and Goma respectively, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post