Part of our Rwanda guide.
2 places and guides from our Rwanda coverage, gathered into one page.
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Must-See Hidden Gems And Activities In Kigali
Kigali rewards visitors who venture beyond its main landmarks with quiet art spaces, local markets, and peaceful gardens. The city’s hidden gems include the vibrant Kimironko Market, the serene Kigali Public Library gardens, and small galleries tucked along the hillsides.
What To Do And See In Rwanda
Start in Kigali, a city of clean streets and a growing arts scene. The elevation (around 1,600 metres) keeps temperatures mild year-round. Visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum for a sobering look at Rwanda’s history and recovery. Entry costs 10,000 RWF (about $10) and includes a guided tour lasting roughly 90 minutes. The Kigali Farmers Market runs every Saturday morning at the Kigali Golf Club, offering fresh produce, crafts, and live music. The Nyamiram district comes alive after dark with street food stalls and live bands playing Congolese rumba and soukous.
Beyond Kigali, head to Volcanoes National Park in the northwest. A park entry fee of $75 per person covers a day’s access to trails leading up Mount Kigali, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Karisimbi. The hike to the summit of Mount Kigali (4,507 metres) takes two days and requires a guide (approximately $200 per group per day). The park is one of the best places in Africa to see mountain gorillas; a gorilla permit costs $1,500 per person and must be booked months in advance. For a less expensive wildlife experience, Akagera National Park in the east offers game drives for $50 per person plus a vehicle fee of $30. Lions, elephants, and giraffes roam the park’s savannah and wetlands.
In the south, Nyungwe Forest National Park protects a vast montane rainforest. A canopy walkway suspended 50 metres above the forest floor gives views of colobus monkeys and bird species like the great blue turaco. Entry is $40 per person. The park also has over 200 kilometres of hiking trails, from short loops to multi-day treks. Lake Kivu, on the western border, offers beach resorts and boat trips. A 30-minute boat ride from Gisenyi to the islands of Idjwi costs about $20 per person. The lakeshore town of Kibuye is quieter and popular for kayaking and sunset cruises.
Rwanda’s cultural highlights include the annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony in Musanze (held each September) and the Huye National Museum, the country’s oldest museum, which displays royal artifacts and ethnographic objects. Entry is 5,000 RWF (about $5). In Kigali, the Inema Arts Centre screens films and hosts live theatre performances; tickets are typically 5,000 RWF. Local restaurants serve brochettes (grilled meat skewers) and sambaza (fried fish) for around 3,000 RWF. The city’s coffee culture is strong—try a cup at Kigali’s Bourbon Coffee, where a cappuccino costs about 2,500 RWF.
Public transport within Kigali relies on minibus taxis (routes cost 200–500 RWF) and motorcycle taxis (from 500 RWF per trip). Intercity buses connect Kigali to Musanze (3 hours, 3,000 RWF) and Kibuye (4 hours, 4,000 RWF). Car rental with a driver costs around $80 per day. Visa on arrival for most nationalities is $30 for a 30-day single-entry permit. The currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF), and US dollars are widely accepted for park fees and permits.
