KigaliCapital
Rwanda · Country profile
Kigali is the capital of Rwanda, the small, orderly and famously clean city that spreads its green hills above the lakes and the valleys of the central highlands, and that has become the symbol of the remarkable modern story of the nation. The city is safe, orderly and genuinely friendly, with its clean streets, its gardens, its coffee bars and its almost one-of-a-kind Saturday of the community work that closes the mornings of the capital. The memorial of the genocide, the moving centre that tells the difficult history of the country with dignity, is the essential visit, and the museums, the markets and the hilltop viewpoints of the city fill out the picture. As the base of the whole journey, Kigali opens the gorilla country, the lake district and the whole green heart of the nation.
About Kigali
Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. The city's documented population is around 1,208,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF) and Kinyarwanda, English and French are spoken; the dialling code is +250. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Kigali International Airport.
The Green Hills, the Coffee Bars and the Order of the Capital
Kigali is a calm, green, remarkably well-organised capital that runs on the hills of the central highlands, a city of clean streets, coffee bars and a genuine national pride. The genocide memorial is the deep and necessary visit, and the rest of the city, the markets, the galleries and the viewpoints, unfolds gently around it. The city is safe, friendly and easy to navigate, and its famous efficiency makes it a pleasant base for the whole of the country. It is also the starting point of the journeys to the volcanoes of the gorillas and the lakes of the west, and its atmosphere of purpose and reconciliation makes it one of the most distinctive capitals of Africa.
The Mild Altitude, the Franc and the Pace of the Days
The climate of the high altitude is mild and spring-like all year, with the warm days and the cool evenings and the rain common in the afternoons and the wetter months. The memorial of the genocide is the essential visit, best made with the time and the emotional space to absorb it, and the museums and the markets of the city fill the rest of the days. The Rwandan franc is the currency, the Kinyarwanda is the language with the English and the French both widely spoken, and the card works in the modern areas while the cash helps at the markets. The city is safe, the taxi apps work well and the famous clean streets of the capital are part of the daily rhythm.
The Memorial, the Viewpoints and the Market of the Crafts
The memorial of the genocide of Kigali, the moving museum on the hill with its permanent exhibition, its gardens and its mass graves, is the essential and the hardest visit of the country, and it should be planned with the dignity it deserves. The hills of the city give the great viewpoints, and the walk of the ridge above the centre with its cafes and its memorial gardens is the classic introduction. The markets of the city, from the great craft market of the centre to the everyday food markets of the districts, hold the local life, and the coffee culture of the city, with its specialty roasters and its generous portions, is one of the most developed in the region. The small kindnesses of the everyday, the slow Sunday mornings and the genuine warmth of the people close the picture.
Report an error or suggest an update
- Country
- Rwanda
- Population
- 1,208,000
- Coordinates
- -1.9686, 30.1394
- Capital
- Kigali
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- Rwandan Franc (RWF)
- Languages
- Kinyarwanda, English, French
- Calling code
- +250
- Country code
- RW
Entry requirements for Rwanda
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Rwanda for tourism.
Getting to Kigali
Airports we list for Kigali:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kigali the capital of Rwanda?
Yes — Kigali is the capital of Rwanda.
What currency do I need in Kigali?
The local currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Languages spoken in Rwanda include Kinyarwanda, English and French.
What is the dialling code for Rwanda?
The international dialling code for Rwanda is +250.
Which airport should I fly into for Kigali?
Kigali International Airport (KGL) is the airport we list for Kigali.
Do I need a visa to visit Rwanda?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Morocco currently enter Rwanda visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Kigali? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.