How to Find Hotels in Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda, located in the center of the landlocked African nation. The city is nestled in green, hilly country near Mt. Kigali in central Africa.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Visa
• Cash

Know Your Destination

1. Explore Rwanda's ecnomic and business center. Kigali is divided into two sections: one containing the downtown urban area, and one comprised of central government buildings. Tourists have helped spur economic growth in the city.

2. Head to Kigali in summer. Rwanda has two rainy seasons—one in the early spring from February to April, and one in the winter, from November to January.

3. Learn a few new phrases. Rwanda's three official languages are Kinyarwanda, French and English. Swahili is spoken among the locals, as well.

Understand Your Transportation Options

4. Fly into the Kigali International Airport, Rwanda's main transportation hub. The moderately sized facility has many amenities, including a post office, money changing, gift shops, a help center and taxi or car rentals.

5. Travel during the day. Kigali's main streets are well maintained, but many do not have adequate lighting or sidewalk accommodations.

6. Be savvy about livery transportation. Taxis and public vans are safe, but make sure you agree on a fare before getting in.

Choose Your Accommodations

7. To book accommodations, contact Rwanda Tourist Board at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
   

8. Be comfortable but spend less. Several mid-level hotels provide accommodations, as well, ranging from $35-$70 per night.

9. Save your money for fun! The Guest House Kibuye is Kigali's only registered hostel.

10. Stay in style at one of Kigali's luxury hotels. Film and history buffs might want to visit the Hôtel des Mille Collines. This 4-star hotel is the site where more than a thousand refugees were sheltered by then-manager Paul Rusesabagina during the Rwandan genocide. His story was told in the movie Hotel Rwanda.

Visit the National Parks

11. Observe gorillas at Rwanda's National Volcano Park, the setting for Gorillas in the Mist. Get permission from the Rwandan government first.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Foreign visitors to Kigali Rwanda need a valid passport and proof of yellow fever immunization to enter the country.
• Picking pockets and petty theft are common, though violent crime is rarely committed against foreigners.