Kigali City, History of Kigali, with a population of more than 1 million (2012), is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation. The city has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of Rwanda are located in the city, as are the government ministries.
Kigali as a city was officially founded in 1907 when a German colonial official Dr. Richard Kandt set up the first colonial administrative center. He chose Nyarugenge hill as the site of the capital because of its central location in the country. His residence, which also served as office, was situated near the present Gakinjiro market where the whole of Rwanda was administered from.
By 1909, only around 20 shops had been built. On the present site of Nyarugenge market and were mainly owned by Indian traders. A military camp was also put up at the site where the Kigali central prison is found today. Kigali eventually developed into a significant commercial centre because of its central position. Kigali has grown from a population of 6000 people in 1962 (when Rwanda gained its independence) to over 1 million inhabitants today.
Kigali City tour: The Kigali City Tour offers one an in-depth view of Kigali, past and present, assuring that one feels the genuine heartbeat of the city. Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda, blessed with a year round moderate climate. It is also the country’s vibrant commercial center. Kigali is particularly beautiful at night as the lights glimmer over a few of the country’s “one thousand hills”. The city is divided into three districts—Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge and is inhabited by over one million people.
The Kigali City Tour begins as a historic journey through the city with a guided tour from the first modern building from which the capital city was first founded, to the rapidly growing neighborhoods that are changing the face of the city. Kigali is one of the friendliest, cleanest and safest of Africa’s cities attracting numerous visitors and investors to the capital.
The residence of Dr. Richard Kandt at the base of Mount Jali and Mount Kigali in the heart of the city has been converted into the Natural History Museum in honor of his work, and is one of the first stops on the tour.
Along the tour, visitors will pass by Kigali’s older commercial “quartiers”, business and residential areas, visit historic sites commemorating the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, take a guided tour within the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, and learn about the city’s diverse neighborhood and local attractions.
Coffee shops, bars and local and international restaurants ranging from Chinese, Italian, North African, East African, Thai and Greek cuisine can be found around the city. Resto-bars are a favorite among Kigali’s residents as people enjoy a delicious meal early on and stay to enjoy the music and drinks afterwards. Kigali’s growing nightlife is sure to entertain any visitor to the city.
Walking tour in the older commercial “quartiers.”
We will take a guided walk into the City commercial center commonly known as the quartier commerciale by the locals, this is a car free zone, making it an ideal walking area. This tour is singled out of the others, the reason being that we use the locals, people who are born and raised in Kigali, with their indigenous knowledge that will give you a behind the scene story of the beautiful city. With Lifetime Africa Expeditions, you will explore more and that is a guarantee.
