There is something many travel enthusiasts notice about Rwanda, according to their reviews, and that is the scenic beauty, the sprawling hills and the friendliness of the people.
If you choose to arrive in the country by air or road, the scenic hilly views will soothe your nerves and the rolling green landscape creates an indelible picture of serenity that is bound to be etched in your mind for a while.
Kigali city, which has in a few years steadily grew to become a hub for significant gatherings, conferences, summits and festivals, is finally hosting the coveted Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The high-level meeting is slated from June 20 to 25 and will attract over 5,000 delegates.
Ideally positioned in the centre of Rwanda, Kigali is a relatively new city founded as an administrative outpost in 1907, and became the capital of the country at independence in 1962, shifting focus away from Huye.
The city which is home to over 1.5 million inhabitants is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate that belies its tropical location, and is conveniently located within three hours’ drive of the main tourist sites.
Here is what you have to know about Kigali ahead of CHOGM.
The birth of Kigali
The founding of Kigali is generally dated to 1907, when German administrator and explorer Richard Kandt was appointed as the first colonial Governor of Rwanda, and established the city as his headquarters.
He chose Kigali due to its central location, and also because the site on Nyarugenge Hill afforded good views and security.
Kigalians stretching their bodies matching their moves with the beat of the music during Kigali Night Run .File
By 1909, only around 20 shops had been built on the present site of Nyarugenge market and were mainly owned by Indian traders.
It became a transit centre for commercial activities between Bukoba and Kigoma (in Tanganyika, now Tanzania) via Bujumbura and also between Kisangani in DRC and Kampala in Uganda.
This development attracted many Arab and Indian traders to move from Nyanza, where the King’s palace was, to Kigali, but after the Second World War, the Belgians maintained Kigali as the administrative centre for the whole country.
Kigali became the capital upon Rwandan independence in 1962. It is situated in the natural region called Bwanacyambwe within the proximity of the Nyabugogo river basin, between Mount Kigali and Mount Jali.
Car Free Zone in Biryogo
Kigali has grown from a population of 6000 people in 1962 (when Rwanda gained its independence) to approximately 1.5 million inhabitants today.
Kigali leadership plans to create a city that is a symbol of the Rwandan culture and that serves as an example for modern Africa.
Home of diversity
From languages spoken in this city to cuisines, cultures, and street festivals and exhibitions held in different corners of Kigali, it is safe to say that the city has become home to everyone.
The city is a multilingual society with English, French and Swahili recognised as official languages alongside native Kinyarwanda which facilitates visitors coming to Kigali.
The presence of thousands of international students in the city after the inauguration of different international schools such as African Leadership University (ALU) and Carnegie Mellon University is another reason behind the diversity of Kigali’s culture, lifestyle and education scene.
According to data from Unesco, the number of international degree-seeking students quadrupled from just 778 in 2015 to 3,052 in 2019.
With most of them in Kigali, a metropolitan area of just over one million, the growing student and expat communities have transformed the cultural feel of the city.
With different outdoor dining spots around Kigali, foodies can get to choose dishes of their choice from different cuisines in the city.
Different eateries in hotels and restaurants in Kigali are seen as the home for various cuisines that visitors socialize with which attracts a variety of people to enjoy their stay in the city.
For believers, Kigali is a go to when it comes to worship. There are a number of religious groups in Rwanda. The most numerous are the Roman Catholics, Protestants, Adventists and Muslims, both with more than 1 temple in Kigali.
Safest city on the continent
You cannot talk about Kigali without mentioning the cleanliness and security on the streets of the city. Kigali is a safe and secure place to live, visit, and explore at any hour of the day or night.
Rwanda continues to feature as one of the safest countries in the world, according to a new Gallup Report. The report has ranked Rwanda 11th globally and 2nd in Africa with over 87 per cent of citizens saying that they feel safe and confident in the security organs.
Early this year, Rwanda was named the safest country for solo travelers in Africa and the sixth on the planet according to a review conducted by usebounce.com, a renowned and trusted travel website.
On the streets of Kigali, police men and women are seen patrolling day and night, another reason that shows how secure the city is.
A loop to sports and entertainment
Sport and entertainment have become a big part of the new face of Kigali, given how the two attract thousands of tourists in the city.
It has been a busy sporting year with Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals that just concluded in Kigali. The most high-profile event was held at the BK Arena, which is one of the best basketball facilities that Africa has today.
For golf lovers and players around the world, Kigali recently acquired a beautiful 18-hole course that can host international tournaments and games.
This 65-hectare project also has a health club, one pro-shop, boarding rooms, and a golf club that will incorporate seven foods and beverages outlets.
Kigali is also in the process of developing a sports centre on 21 hectares in Remera, where Amahoro National Stadium and the indoor BK Arena are located.
The sports centre will include the stadium and the arena, which will be improved and expanded, and will be home to more facilities including tennis courts, football pitches, and outdoor basketball courts as well as cycling tracks.
Kigali has also grown into an entertainment hub that hosts big festivals, concerts and fashion shows that plays a significant role in the boosting of Rwanda’s creative sector.
Events such as Kigali Up Festival, Intore Sundays, and Kigali Jazz Junction are increasingly connecting local musicians and actors with others from across the continent and the world.
Major investments like Vivendi’s deal with Rwanda to lease and develop the $40 million Kigali Cultural Village, which now has a cinema theatre, an open concert area, and an Escape games facility are also changing the entertainment face of Kigali.
Vivendi’s occupation of the 20,000-capacity village, which sits on 30 hectares, as seen by creatives, has expanded the possibilities for Rwanda’s cultural and creative art industry, especially given the group’s activities in music, television, film, video game, book publishing, communication, and video hosting.
A number of young creatives around the world have already benefited from the cultural centre best known Canal Olympia Rebero which helps them showcase their projects during concerts that normally takes place at the village.
Kigali has also grown into a continental hub for fashion as it becomes the second African city to host Mercedes Benz Fashion week, one of the biggest fashion show events on the globe that normally takes place in big cities like Istanbul (Turkey), Brisbane (Australia), Mexico, Malaysia and Tbilisi (Georgia) among others.
Last month, 0ver 100 international guests who are normally big players in the fashion industry, including 27 designers, were in Kigali ahead of the six-day fashion event.
Night life has also advanced since the end of the pandemic with the increase of outdoor spots, pubs, bars, and clubs that all facilitate people from different kinds of the world.
Car-free zones have recently been launched in Kigali to cater partygoers of Kigali a different nightlife lifestyle and patronise their favourite bars and restaurants with convenience.
These include the famous new Gisimenti car free zone which attracts thousands of revelers all dining and enjoying the variety of beverages in the city, Biryogo free zone, the predominantly Muslim neighbourhood which became popular for its diversity and hospitality of the people there, as well as the Imbuga City Walk free zone located in the central business district.
Welcome to kigali!