Overview
Take a trip to Kigali on your Rwanda Vacation
Few people travel to Rwanda without passing through Kigali, the country’s largest and capital city. Located in the geographic centre of Rwanda, Kigali has been the economic and cultural hub since it became the capital in 1962.
Kigali was founded under German colonial rule in 1907. It was chosen as the country’s capital because of its central location after Rwanda achieved independence. Kigali came to international attention as a result of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 which saw the slaughter of approximately one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu by Hutu militia as well as some members from the Rwandan army. The city was greatly affected by this tragedy but has worked hard to recover. The Kigali Memorial Centre opened on the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide and has been built on a site where over 250,000 people are buried.
Today Kigali is a clean and comfortable city that is popular with ex-pats and hosts numerous aid workers. Many people come to visit this attractive city on their way to visit the country’s famous gorillas at the Parc National des Volcans on the Rwanda safari. Tourism has increased in recent years and since 1994, the city has been rebuilt and continues to look forward without forgetting its past.
At a Glance
Languages
English, French, Kinyarwanda, SwahiliCurrency
Rwandan Franc (RWF)Trending Trips
Unforgettable Journeys.4 Trips Found
Showper page
9
4 Trips Found
Essential Serengeti Safari & Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Kigali, Serengeti National Park, Arusha, and Mount KilimanjaroA seamless journey from the Serengeti’s iconic plains to Rwanda’s gorilla forests, combining two unforgettable wildlife experiences.
8 days
From US$12,667/p.p.
Request a Quote
Mountain Gorilla Encounter: Volcanoes National Park
Kigali and Parc National des VolcansTrek misty volcanoes and come face to face with wild gorillas on this private-guided Rwanda journey, enriched by deep history and lush, soul-stirring landscapes.
3 days
From US$3,486/p.p.
Request a Quote
Gorillas in the Mist of the Virunga Peaks
Parc National des Volcans and KigaliExperience Rwanda like never before! Spend 5 days in Kigali and Ruhengeri, encountering majestic mountain gorillas and exploring the city’s profound history. Adventure awaits!
4 days
From US$12,267/p.p.
Request a Quote
Rwanda: Mountains, Gorillas & Wilderness
Parc National des Volcans and KigaliExperience Rwanda's beauty with a stay at Bisate Lodge. Enjoy a luxury lodge, a memorable gorilla trek, and engage with local conservation efforts amidst stunning landscapes.
4 days
From US$11,843/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Essential Serengeti Safari & Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Kigali, Serengeti National Park, Arusha, and Mount KilimanjaroA seamless journey from the Serengeti’s iconic plains to Rwanda’s gorilla forests, combining two unforgettable wildlife experiences.
8 days
From US$12,667/p.p.
Request a Quote
Mountain Gorilla Encounter: Volcanoes National Park
Kigali and Parc National des VolcansTrek misty volcanoes and come face to face with wild gorillas on this private-guided Rwanda journey, enriched by deep history and lush, soul-stirring landscapes.
3 days
From US$3,486/p.p.
Request a Quote
Gorillas in the Mist of the Virunga Peaks
Parc National des Volcans and KigaliExperience Rwanda like never before! Spend 5 days in Kigali and Ruhengeri, encountering majestic mountain gorillas and exploring the city’s profound history. Adventure awaits!
4 days
From US$12,267/p.p.
Request a Quote
Rwanda: Mountains, Gorillas & Wilderness
Parc National des Volcans and KigaliExperience Rwanda's beauty with a stay at Bisate Lodge. Enjoy a luxury lodge, a memorable gorilla trek, and engage with local conservation efforts amidst stunning landscapes.
4 days
From US$11,843/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
Globetrotters should try to experience The Gorilla Naming Ceremony : Culturally, the naming of an infant is a big affair, and Rwanda has adopted the same cultural event with the New-born Mountain Gorillas, as way to highlight the need to protect these gentle giants that were on the verge of being hunted to extinction.
Rwanda is always a surprise; especially for a 1st time visitor to Africa. The beautiful landscape (hills, mountains and rivers), is accentuated by the clean and organised infrastructure. Being a small country with shorter drives between parks, Rwanda offers superb photography experiences.
I love Rwanda’s stunning natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, vibrant culture, and the unforgettable experience of meeting mountain gorillas in their lush habitat.
Kigali is typically the start of your Rwanda sa...
A young child in Kigali makes for a great photo...
A water well in Kigali
Most Popular Time to Travel
Know when to go.
Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
KigaliPartly Cloudy
29°C / 85°F
35mm / 1.4"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
-
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Rwanda
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,307 ReviewsWe recently worked with Jacqueline to plan our trip to Greece and had a wonderful experience. We made several revisions to our itinerary and Jacqueline was patient, understanding and prompt in responding to our needs. In addition to the specific tours she booked, she provided extra options and local suggestions for each place we visited in Greece. Her attention to detail and responsiveness made our trip incredibly memorable. Mark MendellWe have used Goway several times to plan simple & more complicated trips. The last 2 trips we worked with Brooke Theron who is extremely customer focused. She listens well & is alway flexible to look at alternatives. We will continue using this representative & Goway.
Our only criticism is that they do not break down the various costs of a trip which makes tipping very awkward. It can also create a sense of " mistrust" when all the costs are not transparent. Cheryl HayesOur trip to Switzerland was an amazing experience. Our travel agent at GoWay, Bo was so helpful in helping my husband Louie plan just what we wanted to do on this trip. Taking the trains thru the county was easy by the many hours Louie and Bo worked on this. Also our helicopter ride in Zermatt on my birthday was just unbelievable. Flying around the Matterhorn and the Alps is one flight we will never forget. Thanks Bo for setting this up. The trip was one incredible adventure that we will never forget. Thanks again Bo, Lynn Gerber. Lynn GerberWe booked a Goway tour to Botswana and Zimbabwe and it was excellent. We worked with Brooke, the Goway represntative, to set up the tour and she was an outstanding agent who answered any questions we had very quickly and completely. Her hotel recommendation for the additional night we stayed was pefect.
Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma FaOur GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.ThomasMatthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda SchottSeamless prompt excellent communication from our first query about a possible destination to follow-up after the trip ended. Shalini’s knowledge, advice and enthusiasm were invaluable. JaneJacqueline Fagioli from Goaway Travel is excellent and very helpful and supportive. VenessaOur travel agent, Melissa Moses, created the perfect itinerary for our recent holiday to Portugal. Melissa had also planned our previous trip to England/Scotland. We have a great deal of confidence in her ability as she really listens to what we are looking for and she caters the plans according to our comfort levels and interests. customerJacqueline F. made our trip exceptional. Everything she planned or reserved worked out as it was supposed to. Croatia was amazing and I feel we were able to explore a lot of it because of Jacqueline.Allen
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified