Explore Kigali’s history on a tour of colonial sites, genocide memorials, and cultural landmarks. Discover the city’s past and its impact on Rwanda.
Explore Kigali’s history on a tour of colonial sites, genocide memorials, and cultural landmarks. Discover the city’s past and its impact on Rwanda.
- Kandt House Museum - Dr. Richard Kandt, a German-born doctor, soldier, poet, scholar, naturalist, and enthusiastic explorer, was the first European to reside in Rwanda since 1907. His administrative residence expanded into a series of twenty commercial houses, forming the commercial capital. During his time in Rwanda, Kandt dedicated himself to…
- Kandt House Museum - Dr. Richard Kandt, a German-born doctor, soldier, poet, scholar, naturalist, and enthusiastic explorer, was the first European to reside in Rwanda since 1907. His administrative residence expanded into a series of twenty commercial houses, forming the commercial capital. During his time in Rwanda, Kandt dedicated himself to studying the country’s natural environment. He was the first to identify the source of the Nile in Nyungwe National Park and is believed to have introduced coffee farming to the region.
Today, Kandt’s former residence on Nyarugenge Hill in Kigali is the Museum of Natural History of Rwanda. It honors Kandt’s explorations and naturalist research, showcasing the evolution of the region’s environment and wildlife. The museum features exhibitions on the country’s geology, mining, volcanoes, and more. A visit to the Kandt House offers a rewarding glimpse into both the country’s colonial and natural history.
- Camp Kigali Memorial - This memorial commemorates the 10 Belgian UNAMIR peacekeepers who were killed on the first day of the 1994 genocide. Initially deployed to protect Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, the soldiers were captured, disarmed, and killed by the Presidential Guard.
What to expect: At the Belgian Memorial in Camp Kigali, visitors learn about the tragic events that sparked the Rwandan genocide. The solemn site provides a powerful narrative of courage and sacrifice. Guides share poignant stories, enhancing understanding of Rwanda’s history.
- Kigali Genocide Memorial - Next, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and reflection dedicated to the over one million lives lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Established in partnership with Aegis Trust and the City Council on the genocide’s tenth anniversary, the Memorial is one of Rwanda’s most significant sites, attracting visitors worldwide.
The site is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims, with mass graves surrounding the Memorial. Inside, exhibitions document the history of the genocide, sharing personal stories of loss, resilience, and survival. A guided tour led by a survivor offers a deeply moving perspective, providing firsthand accounts of tragedy and hope.
The Memorial is more than a historical site—it is a place for remembrance, learning, and reflection. A visit here offers a profound and unforgettable experience that deepens understanding of Rwanda’s past while honoring the resilience of its people.
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Kigali Heights - After visiting the memorial and witnessing the journey of reconciliation, enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the iconic Kigali Convention Center. Engage in thought-provoking conversations with your guide while appreciating the modern architecture that defines Rwanda’s progress. The country’s remarkable resilience is evident everywhere, showcasing the extraordinary achievements Rwanda has reached in such a short time.
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Kigali Convention Centre - This car-free zone, popular among youth for its free Wi-Fi, features a statue symbolizing Rwandan women’s resilience. Capture photos with your guides, reflecting themes of women’s empowerment, sustainability, and development.
What to Expect: Take photos with your guide under the statue Roundabout, symbolizing the special recognition given by the Rwandan Government to women, surrounded by Kigali’s best architecture and most recognizable landmark in the car-free zone. These photos will capture the essence of your tour, highlighting themes of empowerment and sustainability. Then take a stroll down the car-free zone to the parliament building.
- Campaign Against Genocide Museum - From 1993 to 1994, during the Liberation War, the parliament building hosted part of the Arusha Peace Accords and 600 RPA soldiers protecting RPF leaders who were to form part of the Broad-Based Transitional Government. It was closed during the genocide and reopened as the National Parliament in late 1994. In December 2017, a museum dedicated to the Campaign against Genocide was officially opened to the public in the parliamentary building.
What to Expect: Your guide will provide a brief interpretation of the building’s significance in Rwanda’s history. Instead of a full museum tour, the afternoon will focus on exploring the city’s recovery and remarkable achievements. You’ll then proceed to the rooftop, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Kigali alongside a 3D topographical map of the city. From this vantage point, your guide will point out notable locations you’ve visited and those yet to explore, offering you a comprehensive view of Kigali’s landscape.
- Question Coffee Kiyovu - Since 2013, Bloomberg Philanthropies has invested in the innovative training of coffee farmers and producers, elevating smallholder farmers through the coffee value chain. These long-term investments have led to a partnership with Sustainable Growers, home of Question Coffee Cafe & Roastery, a social enterprise, and the Coffee Training Academy.
What to expect: Your tour concludes at Question Coffee, where you will immerse yourself in Rwanda’s coffee culture with a guided tasting session of distinct blends from various regions. Savor each flavor, then enjoy a full cup of your favorite blend. Before you leave, explore a selection of coffee and coffee-inspired souvenirs, so you can bring the authentic taste of Rwanda home with you.
- Kweza Craft Brewery - On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you have the option of ending your tour at Rwanda’s first craft beer brewery. The Kweza Craft Brewery is introducing women to brewing and creating opportunities for female farmers. Today, Kweza continues to honor the tradition of beer. In Rwanda, and most cultures around the world, women have traditionally made beer but not been able to benefit from that creation and lineage at the commercial level.
Kweza aims to have women running all aspects of the business and to enable African women to share in the profit of the product they’ve historically always made - as investors, staff, or leadership - and ultimately build generational wealth on that history.
What to Expect: Tour the brewery to see how different flavors are produced, learn about the craft of brewing beer, and enjoy a tasting of their six unique flavors as you wind down your day.

- Private transportation
- Tea and coffee
- Bottled water
- Licensed English speaking guide
- Alcoholic beverages
- Private transportation
- Tea and coffee
- Bottled water
- Licensed English speaking guide
- Alcoholic beverages
- Airport parking fees, incase of delayed flights. We cover the first 30 minutes only, it costs $2/hr
- Snacks
- Airport parking fees, incase of delayed flights. We cover the first 30 minutes only, it costs $2/hr
- Snacks
Discover Kigali through a historically-focused city tour. This experience goes beyond merely observing buildings and hearing stories; it offers insights into life in Kigali across various eras and the influence each period had on the Rwandan people. Key highlights include the first colonial building in Kigali, the Hotel des Mille Collines, renowned from…
Discover Kigali through a historically-focused city tour. This experience goes beyond merely observing buildings and hearing stories; it offers insights into life in Kigali across various eras and the influence each period had on the Rwandan people. Key highlights include the first colonial building in Kigali, the Hotel des Mille Collines, renowned from the film Hotel Rwanda, and Camp Kigali, a small memorial that serves as an excellent introduction to the genocide topic. Visitors can also opt to explore the Kigali Memorial Center, a must-visit for most tourists, which serves as the main genocide museum. This site, a burial ground for over 250,000 genocide victims, features an exhibition on Rwanda’s genocide history, a children’s memorial exhibition, and a global comparative genocide exhibition. The expansive memorial garden houses ten mass graves where families and visitors can pay their respects.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.