Rwanda has made remarkable progress in Africa’s journey of development. With its tidy streets and towering buildings in Kigali, there’s no question that it’s a destination worth exploring.

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda showcases its steep hills across various regions, which is quite astonishing.

While a lot of visitors come to Rwanda to witness the majestic mountain gorillas, there are also plenty of leisurely activities to enjoy in the heart of Kigali.

This article outlines a few of those options.

Inema arts gallery

This cozy art haven boasts an array of artworks and can be found at KG 563 Street, Kacyiru Kigali.

Founded by two brothers who are self-taught painters, this place has a mission to uncover the hidden potential of art in Rwanda.

Having honed their skills since 2012, this gallery has become a must-visit spot for acquiring contemporary art in Kigali. The vivid paint colors might even catch you off guard, adorning items in the small yard and sprawling wall portraits indoors.

I was particularly impressed to find dedicated sections showcasing artworks from other artists – what a wonderful way to foster togetherness!

Whether you’re a tourist or a local Rwandan, you can explore modern and traditional African crafts here for free. I was truly taken aback by the one-of-a-kind abstract portraits and expressive mixed-media works that capture everyday scenes from African and Rwandan culture.

Beyond visual art, they also host weekly dance performances, art-inspired yoga classes, gallery tours, and concerts.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t partake in these activities as I hadn’t contacted them in advance. I recommend reaching out to the center directly to discover the options available during your visit.

Official site: https://www.inemaartcenter.com/

Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-tourism Park

Are you curious about eco-tourism? The Nyandungu Urban Wetland Ecotourism park should definitely be on your list, even though it was still under construction during my visit in 2022. This project, known as NUWEP, is dedicated to revitalizing the Nyandungu area that had suffered from degradation. Its goal is to bring back native plant species and create habitats for both land and water creatures to restore biodiversity.

The Nyandungu complex spreads across a vast 121.7 hectares of land.

NUWEP has a vision to transform the Nyandungu wetland into a place for leisure and fun, in line with the City of Kigali Master Plan. It shows that safeguarding wetlands can benefit Kigali’s residents, Rwanda as a whole, and even tourists. When I visited, there was a spacious and attractive café and restaurant that provided a perfect view of the natural surroundings.

Towards the back, they had set up picnic spots for people to relax outdoors. The expansive hills at the edge offered a one-of-a-kind panoramic sight accompanied by a refreshing breeze.

This park showcases local and native trees, along with native vegetation. It supports a more diverse range of life forms compared to non-native species.

Rwanda Art Museum

The Rwanda Art Museum stands as a treasure trove of both modern and traditional art, offering insights into Rwandan history as well.

To my surprise, the guide revealed that this place was once the palace of the late former president, Juvénal Habyarimana.

Despite being a few kilometers away from Kigali’s city center on KK 106 Street, the journey is well worth it. It holds a special place as one of Rwanda’s eight national history museums.

This renowned museum officially opened its doors in May 2018. Inside, you can find various belongings of the former president and contemporary art pieces.

For instance, I came across some well-preserved items the president had used.

The museum beautifully showcases the diversity of local creativity and also features works by international artists. The collection comprises over 100 art pieces, spanning ceramics, sculptures, paintings, and experimental creations in various forms.

I learned that there’s a section dedicated to the wreckage of the presidential jet that crashed on April 6, 1994, tragically resulting in the death of President Habyarimana. Other tourists mentioned that pieces of the Falcon 50 aircraft protrude from the grass like peaks. Personally, I chose not to witness that.

Upon entering, you have the choice to explore both areas.

During my visit in 2022, I found it noteworthy that photography was not allowed within the museum, which was a bit unusual.

Official site: https://www.museum.gov.rw/index.php?id=74

Kigali Convention Center

Situated along Highway KN5, right next to the KG2 Roundabout, stands the highly regarded convention center.

This hub is made up of four main components. First is the renowned 5-star Radisson Blu hotel. The building, standing six floors tall, features a distinctive curved design that showcases elegant architecture. With 292 rooms, it offers luxurious accommodations.

Next, there’s a conference center with an impressive seating capacity of over 2600. It’s divided into smaller rooms, and I had the chance to tour around this architecturally distinct, round-shaped structure. The place is truly vast and modern in every aspect. The attention to detail, from the seating to the hallways, makes it an ideal setting for events and seminars. Many significant gatherings have taken place here, including the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, the 2016 African Union Summit, and the 2016 World Economic Forum for Africa.

Another section is home to the Kigali Information Technology Park, offering 32,300 square meters of rentable office and retail spaces. Regrettably, I didn’t get a chance to explore this part.

Lastly, there’s a museum located on the lower floor of the IT office park, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to visit it.

What surprised me was that the entire place was open to the public, allowing people to stroll around.

While I found the five-star restaurant a bit pricey, I can certainly vouch for the comfortable and clean environment, which offers a perfect spot for some peaceful relaxation.

One of the highlights was enjoying the evening sun in the small garden, where I could feel the gentle breeze rustling through the trees while admiring the street sculptures crafted from steel and cement.

Rwanda city tour

Exploring the city is always a priority for me whenever I visit a new country.

I love taking a city tour to discover different areas, soak in the sights, and experience the local culture.

What left me utterly amazed during my time in Kigali was the impressive infrastructure – most streets were paved, smooth, and well-lit even at night.

While the cost of transportation in Rwanda can be a bit higher, especially for taxis, I found that using a motorbike was a reasonable alternative.

What truly caught my attention was the high level of organization among motorbike riders.

They were required to wear specific jackets, and something that stood out to me was the mandatory use of helmets. Both the rider and the passenger had to wear helmets, as it was a legal requirement for everyone’s safety. This focus on safety was something unique I hadn’t seen in other African countries.

Interestingly, bicycles were also a mode of transport in certain parts of the city. You could pay a bike rider to take you around, though it would naturally take longer. I didn’t personally try this, but I found the concept fascinating.

In the heart of the main city and some prominent neighborhoods, I noticed city bus stops.

These modern, spacious buses served as a means of connecting various parts of the city. I was initially intrigued by the idea of taking a ride on one, until a friend told me it could be challenging for someone who didn’t understand Kinyarwanda. Apparently, the buses only have maps and lack an announcer.

This means you need to be familiar with the city to know exactly when to get off. I wasn’t keen on getting lost, especially in a place where English wasn’t widely spoken.

My impression about the buses

During my visit to the Nyabugogo intercity bus station, I was taken aback by the sight of smaller buses being utilized for journeys to other cities. To explore Nyanza city, I hopped onto a compact 30-seater bus.

To my surprise, I later discovered that there were also inter-regional buses available.

These larger buses traveled not just within Rwanda, but to neighboring countries like Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Intrigued by this option, I decided to take a 70-seater bus for my onward journey to Uganda. Our departure was at 9 pm, and by 7 am the following day, we had arrived in Kampala.

For those eager to explore additional destinations and seek information about activities in other countries, be sure to visit this link.