Small, charming and with a surprisingly buoyant atmosphere, Kigali is a great place to explore on foot.
Whilst there is little to do in the way of tourist attractions, the dignified Genocide Memorial Centre offers a testament to the strength and dignity of the Rwandese people. The city itself is scattered across a number of hills and a handful of smart, boutique cafes and restaurants allow for the coffee fix if needed – but given where you are, you should really ask for tea.
Whilst Kigali itself is a colourful and chaotic city, it does not suffer from many of the problems of other African cities and is welcoming and clean (Rwanda has banned plastic bags and runs a number of buses on bio-fuel). Kigali also offers a good place from which to start or end your journey given its central location with a number of surprisingly great restaurants and cafes and a number of colourful markets keeping you busy.
Rwanda has become synonymous with gorilla trekking, but this holiday also showcases the diverse wildlife and landscapes elsewhere in this fascinating country. As well as trekking for endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Virunga Massif, explore the lakes, savannah and hills of Akagera in the east, and the chimpanzee inhabited forests of western Nyungwe.
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With beautifully decorated rooms and a tranquil ambience, Heaven Boutique Hotel is an ideal stopover between gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or a safari in Akagera National Park. The staff are renowned for going the extra mile; if you have time to spend in Kigali, Heaven’s expert concierge team can plan a unique experience for you.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.
Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.
25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.
The forested slopes of the Volcanoes National Park are spectacular and full of drama and this was the very first national park…
Akagera could not be more different from the dramatic, cultivated hills that distinguish much of the country, offering a wonderful savannah contrast.
The largest single tract of montane forest remaining anywhere in East or Central Africa, Nyungwe is considered to be one of the…
The Lake Kivu area is centred on the town of Gisenyi, offering a relaxed atmosphere on the shores of one of the…
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