Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda, often called the “heart of a thousand hills” thanks to its scenic, rolling landscape. It’s clean, safe, and rapidly developing, making it both a cultural hub and a gateway to the country’s wildlife and natural wonders. It has a population of about 1.5 million.
The Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial (also called the Camp Kigali Memorial) is located in Kigali, Rwanda. It honors the 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers (Blue Helmets) who were killed on April 7, 1994, during the early days of the Rwandan genocide.
The 10 Belgian soldiers were part of the UNAMIR (United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda) peacekeeping mission. They were assigned to protect Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana. After the assassination of President Habyarimana, violence erupted, and the soldiers were captured and killed by the Rwandan Presidential Guard. The 10 stone pillars, each with horizontal cuts representing the age of each soldier.
The Genocide Memorial
Located in Gisozi, just outside central Kigali, the Memorial is both a burial site and educational center, containing the remains of over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial is a must and is very moving. Not only did it show and explain the Rwanda Genocide, but it highlighted several over of the worst over the last 100 years in the world.
- Gardens & Burial Area: Quiet, contemplative spaces with mass graves and the Wall of Names, with many victims still unnamed.
- Hotel Des Mille collines
- During the tragic events of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, the hotel became an unexpected sanctuary. Under the leadership of manager Paul Rusesabagina, approximately 1,268 refugees—both Tutsi and moderate Hutu—found safety within its walls. Not a single refugee was killed there during the crisis.
- Rusesabagina’s courageous efforts—using diplomacy, strategic bartering of wine and cognac, and leveraging his connections—helped protect those inside from violent forces outside. This harrowing true story was later immortalized in the critically acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda (2004), starring Don Cheadle as Rusesabagina.
Kigali has several large markets, each offering a unique cultural and shopping experience. It was so interesting how all the vendors introduced themselves and made sure we knew their names. They wanted us to come back and buy from them.
The Inema Arts Centre (often spelled Inema Art Center) is a celebrated arts hub and gallery located in the Kacyiru suburb of Kigali, Rwanda. Founded in 2012 by brothers—and self-taught painters—Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, its mission has been to ignite creativity for personal, social, and economic growth through art.
