This is the country’s capital city and is enriched with a moderate high altitude climate of the tropical location. The city is located conveniently with in a distance of 3 hours drive from the country’s major tourist sites. The country’s capital city is made up of 3 districts and these are Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge. The city has a population of approximately 1 million people of which most of them are youth of about 60% and women of about 50% in terms of Gender.
History of Kigali
It was in 1906 that the history of Kigali started, when Dr. Richard Kandt the first imperial resident governor for Rwanda selected Nyarugenge hill as the site of the capital, due to its central location in the country. Until now, Kigali is still the capital city of Rwanda and its commercial hub.
Kigali, a city that is located almost in the center of Rwanda, went through the recent redistricting arrangement too, and the city is at the moment headed by the Executive Secretary-Ndayisaba Fidèle while people in Kigali continue to wait for their Mayor to be elected-democratically.
The city has experienced a high population increase over the past twenty years, which was even boosted by the genocide period, when the returning Rwandans flocked the capital in the name of looking for security. The population is therefore believed to have shot from 6,000 in 1960 to 603, 049 to-date.
Kigali city, which is almost in the center of the country, with altitude of 1057’S and on longitude 30004’Eis now facing a number of challenges. The city needs to get more modernized so as to look a real capital city, it needs to form jobs for all those who can, making the city more attractive, supportive or business and investment, both within the Central/East African region as well as within the world’s economy.
Bwanacyambwe, which is an area of interlocking hills surrounded by two major hills of Jali and Kigali is th natural region of Kigali.
Things to See in Kigali
The city has tourist attractions like Genocide Memorial sites, gift shops with cow bone jewellery, the famous local Batik and nestling basket called Agaseka. Other attractions in the city include the local market of Nyabugogo which is the largest in the country.
Kigali City Tour
Before and after visiting Volcanoes national park, the activity you should not miss out before leaving Rwanda is the city tour. Taking a city tour in Kigali gives you a chance to go into the commercial life of Rwandese as you enjoy the incredible views of the green surroundings.
Kigali city is one of the cleanest and most organized cities in Africa with very strict rules especially concerning eco-city. Dumping garbage carelessly in the city is punishable by law which is a rare thing in most African cities.
To remind locals and visitors about where Rwanda is coming from, genocide memorials are in place as a representation of 100 days of ignorance in 1994. Some of the memorials include the Kigali genocide memorial, St Families church, and Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Some names of victims of the Rwanda genocide are scribed on the walls with horrific stories about what transpired.
Where to Stay in Kigali
Since it’s the country’s capital city, in terms of accommodation facilities, it offers comfortable accommodation places like Hotels, guest houses, lodges, Motels, Inns, which all range from low budget ones to top class 5 star Hotels. The city also provides both a comfortable and welcoming introduction to the land of a thousand hills and an ideal springboard from which to explore the country