For delegates attending the Africa CEO Forum who have extra days in Kigali, there are many opportunities to explore the city. They can visit sites to learn about Rwanda’s history, enjoy leisure activities, take in panoramic views, and sample Rwandan cuisine. ALSO READ: Africa CEO Forum: Top tourist destinations delegates can explore Here is a selection of places to visit and experiences to try. Genocide memorials In Kigali, you can visit three genocide memorials, including Kigali Genocide Memorial, Nyanza Genocide Memorial. Delegates may also visit Campaign Against Genocide Museum. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is Rwanda’s national memorial to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and the resting place for over 250,000 victims. Opened in 2004, it documents the history of the Genocide through exhibitions, survivor testimonies, archives, and a memorial garden. It operates daily 9:00am–5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm), with free entrance and optional guided tours. Nyanza Memorial in Kicukiro is a free daily 8:00am–6:00pm burial site. The Campaign Against Genocide Museum, located at Parliament, highlights the Rwandan Patriotic Army’s campaign to stop massacres, open 8:00am–5:00pm for about Rwf 3,000. Music and dance vibrant places For live music and social dance in Kigali, several established venues host events on selected evenings. The Hut Restaurant and Boutique Hotel and Republika Lounge are known for live Afro-jazz, acoustic sets, and contemporary African fusion, usually in the evenings, especially toward the end of the week. Afrobeat and Amapiano-style social dancing often takes place at Pili Pili in Kibagabaga, where DJs create a relaxed, open dance atmosphere during weekend gatherings. Cultural and contemporary dance activity also takes place at Inema Arts Centre in Kacyiru, which runs structured art and dance programming, including traditional and modern forms, depending on its event calendar. Green fun spaces There are many well-maintained green spaces and ecological parks, perfect for visiting, walking, cycling, bird watching, and relaxing. Among the main locations is Nyandungu Eco-Park, spanning the Gasabo and Kicukiro Districts, showcasing wetland restoration with scenic cycling and walking paths. Another highlight is Umusambi Village, a sanctuary home to over 50 Grey Crowned Cranes, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching and nature appreciation. For fun activities, like horse or donkey ride, trail ride, Ziplines, archery, paintball, bungee trampoline, quad bikes, Fazenda Sengha on Mount Kigali is the right place. If you want a vibrant social space in Kigali where you can sit, browse the internet, or chat with friends and enjoy the ambiance, Imbuga City Walk is suggested. It is a pedestrianised corridor in Nyarugenge that was transformed from a busy street into a recreational green space. It offers pedestrian and cycling paths, cafes, art installations, a playground, and free WiFi. Nyamirambo Women’s Centre The centre gives tourists an authentic experience of Rwandan culture through guided tours, traditional cuisine, and handcrafts, while the income generated supports women’s education, vocational training, employment, and community development programs in Kigali. Sports destinations If you’re interested in sports, you catch major basketball and volleyball games at BK Arena and Petit Stade. For something more relaxed, Cercle Sportif de Kigali in Rugunga offers tennis and swimming. Kigali Golf Resort & Villas in Nyarutarama is ideal for a quiet round of golf with scenic views. Local markets Shopping in Kigali would offer you a rich cultural experience through local markets and craft centers. At Kimironko Market, visitors can buy fresh produce, colorful Kitenge fabrics, and get quick tailoring services. At Caplaki Craft Village located in Kigali gives a relaxed setting for handmade souvenirs like wood carvings and jewelry. For an original local feel, Nyamirambo Local Market offers everyday goods and fabrics, and Kigali Cultural Village showcases curated artisan crafts. Main items to buy include Kitenge textiles, Agaseke baskets, and wood carvings. Local cuisine Kigali gives a rich Rwandan and African cuisine, which you can experience in both modern restaurants and local neighborhoods. Popular dishes include nyama choma (roasted meat), brochettes, isombe (cassava leaves cooked with peanut sauce), matoke (bananas), sambaza (small Lake Kivu fish), and pumpkin stews. For a lively dining atmosphere with grilled meats and contemporary African vibes, Repub Lounge in Kimihurura is a top choice, while The Hut Kigali offers a more refined take on traditional flavors in a scenic location. In the city center, Tisserie Restaurant serves classic home-style dishes like isombe and local stews, and Heaven Restaurant is known for modern African cuisine. The Biryogo car-free street in Nyamirambo is a lively, affordable food area in Kigali known for its mix of Rwandan, East African and Middle Eastern flavours. Visitors can try dishes like pilau rice, chapati, brochettes, shawarma, tilapia with fries, spicy ginger and green teas, and fresh juices. It is most active and colourful in the evenings. Spoken word If you’re a poetry lover, Kigali delivers a few spots where you can catch live performances on selected evenings. Inkingi Arts Space in Kacyiru hosts open mic poetry nights, usually in the early evening around 6:00–8:00 PM. In Kiyovu, Goethe-Institut Kigali holds occasional poetry and spoken word sessions as part of its cultural programming.
