As the Women Deliver 2023 Conference sets the stage for transformative dialogue and action in Kigali, Rwanda from July 17-20, The NewTimes has compiled a list of some of the best places to visit for delegates seeking to unwind and explore after the conference’s busy hours.
While not exhaustive, the suggestions below are meant to help you make the most of your time in Kigali, especially if you are looking to discover the people, art, culinary delights, or immerse yourself in local traditions.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The memorial serves as the final resting place for over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and is a visitor center for those wishing to understand the events leading up to the tragedy. It comprises three permanent exhibitions documenting the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence worldwide.
Visitors during a tour of Kigali Genocide Memorial. Photo by Craish Bahizi
Biryogo Car Free Zone
Biryogo Car Free Zone, known for its thé vert (green tea), offers a vibrant and non-alcoholic experience of Kigali. This Muslim-dominated area resembles a food festival site, featuring unique street food recipes like brochettes, chapati, and the popular pilau. Enjoy their non-alcoholic drinks, including various teas like green tea and black tea.
A night view Biryogo Car Free Zone on Sunday on June 19. The predominantly Muslim neighbourhood became popular for its diversity and hospitality of the people. Photo by Craish Bahizi
The All-New Cadillac Club
To experience Kigali’s nightlife, visit the New Cadillac Night Club. This happening spot is open from Tuesday to Sunday and offers an eclectic music selection, showcasing the city’s finest DJs and mixologists.
Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park
Located in the Ndera sector, the Nyandungu Eco-Park is the first public recreational and touristic facility of its kind in Kigali. Spanning 121.7 hectares, it comprises 70 hectares of marsh and 50 hectares of forest. The park is home to over 62 local plant species and more than 100 bird species. Enjoy activities like birdwatching, hiking, and cycling on car-free bike lanes while relishing the fresh air.
Kigalians on walkways of the newly revamped Nyandungu wetland Eco-Tourism Park. The 121 hectares wetland was rehabilitated to become Ecotourism Park. Courtesy
Art Centers, Crafts Shops, and Art Galleries
Explore art centers, craft shops, and art galleries in Kigali. The Inema Art Center houses some of the country’s best artists, offering African sculptures, paintings, yoga classes, live music, and instructional programs in dance and drumming. Visit the Kigali Deaf Art Gallery to discover the work of deaf artists, including beaded pots, paintings, drawings, mural paintings, sculptures, jewelry, multimedia art, and fashion.
Rwanda Art Museum which is the former Presidential Palace Museum. Courtesy
Fazenda Sengha
For outdoor adventure, Fazenda Sengha offers horseback riding experiences, ziplines, archery, quad bikes, bungee trampolines, and more. Explore the countryside and enjoy scenic views of Mount Kigali.
Fazenda Sengha in Kigali
Kigali Golf Resort and Villas
The Kigali Golf Club allows non-members to play for a fee, providing golfing equipment and bags. The club features an 18-hole golf course and is surrounded by lush green vegetation and abundant birdlife. Take a walk around Nyarutarama Lake, also known as “lover’s lake,” on the walking track within the club.
Kigali Golf Resort and Villas
The Pink House
The Pink House is a must-visit for anyone interested in gender equality, as well as the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women in the twenty-first century. This wellness center, run by the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA), is dedicated to fighting cancer through advocacy, awareness, education, empowerment, survivor support, and research.
It serves as a safe transitional overnight place for rural patients commuting to and from Kigali for treatment, and it is also used for BCIEA meetings, learning and training, and information sharing.
Enjoy your time exploring these remarkable places in Kigali while attending the Women Deliver Conference.
