Sprawling over hills and valley’s, Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali an enigmatic mix of cultured, cosmopolitan elegance and vibrant, urban-tribal simplicity.
Surrounded by mountains and trees, its high elevation combined with its tropical savannah climate makes it leafy, green and lush for at least part of the year.
Visitors have a tendency to bypass Kigali and head for the misty mountains, but Kigali is an intriguing, exotic city that must be explored. It has triumphed over heartache and conflict and has been reinvented as a healed-and-whole warrior. A city tour is a great way to see the sights and learn about the culture.
Rwanda is sadly synonymous with genocide and Kigali is indeed a City of Survivors. Despite its sobering theme, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a Beacon of Hope. A place of deep introspection and reflection, it not only honours the memory of the thousands of Tutsi who were killed but also serves as a location through which education, healing and peace-building can occur.
A visit to Kimironko Market is a feast for the senses. Lively and colourful, this covered market sells everything from sunglasses to fruit, from fabric to fish. Regardless of whether you shop or not, Kimironko Market is a great place for you to immerse yourself in the local culture or document the daily life of locals through urban photography.
Heaven in Kigali is just that; a heavenly haven made up of a retreat, restaurant and boutique hotel. Found in the centre of Kigali, international cuisine infused with local Rwandan and African flavour is served daily and visitors can stock up on locally made art and craft. Heaven is more than a location, more than a hotel, it is a place where social capital is harnessed and developed.
