2 days in Kigali
 

I have an Africa trip planned for June/July 2007. I am starting with the Sardine Run in South Africa out of Durban. Then I go to Uganda and spend a day on Ngamba Island and see the Chimpanzees. From there I join a gorilla safari. I gorilla trek in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Rwanda. I end up in Kigali. I have 2 days in Kigali before my flight out of Africa. Any suggestions for the 2 days in Kigali?

Genocide Memorial (not museum)

there is also a nice restauraunt down the street from the Mille Collines... though I don't recommend staying at the Mille Collines ;)

HI,
due to flight problems we missed out on most of our time in Kigali but our plan had been to do the Genocide Memorial. One piece of advice - don't stay at the Hotel Des Mille Collines - it's absolutely filthy and the staff are very rude ANY other hotel has to be better than it in Kigali!

Imelda

Hey Wayne, you got there before me :) Glad to see you're not recommending the Mille Collines either :)

Imelda

The genocide memorial is a must as well as one of the many genocide sites.There are lots of cultural activities nearby or you could take a short drive to Lake Kivu or Butare.

I stayed at Chez Lando and loved it especially the food but it may not suit your needs if you require 5 stars.

Hi sjh88,
Personally, I would recommend spending one of those 2 days back in the Ruhengeri area as the countryside is so beautiful and there are cultural activities that you can do with the local people. See the website for Amahoro Tours for more info. You should definitely spend one day in Kigali to see the Genocide Memorial. We stayed at the Chez Lando hotel which was very nice, although the service at their restaurant was extremely slow.
Darren

I actually disagree with Wayne and Imelda on the Milles Collines. We had a great stay there and stayed there 3 separate times. But I do agree that it can be touch and go...we changed rooms a couple of times, but the staff was always lovely.

Chez Lando and Auberge Beausejour are nice places to stay in Kigali that are much cheaper than the Novetel, Milles Collines or Intercontinental. However, Chez Lando and Auberge Beausejour are not close to the centre of town...but are close to the Genocide Memorial.

If I were you, I'd head from Ruhengeri to Gisenyi for 1 night. It's about an hour drive from Ruhengeri and you'll get to see Lake Kivu and see an entirely different part of Rwanda. You can just relax on the beach, wander around the market, go to the border with Congo (go to Goma if you want for $30) Then I'd go from Gisenyi to Kigali and be there for a day. You can go shopping for souvenirs, visit Gisozi (the Genocide Memorial in Kigali) or just wander around the city.

Rwanda is amazing you'll love your time and wish you had more!