It is located in the Centre of Rwanda and extends across several hills and valleys, with good road links to the rest of the country. It is vibrant with business, with just over one million inhabitants. It is well known for its well-manicured plants and clean streets Kigali is a relatively new city, founded as an administrative outpost in 1907, and became the capital of the country at independence in 1962, shifting focus away from Huye. It features a burgeoning art scene, as well as a growing number of options to dine out and have a few drinks, many with charming panoramic views. The Kigali Cultural Village offers a dedicated space for local artisans and food vendors to exhibit and trade their goods.
Kigali also has developed rapidly, with new shopping malls, office buildings and a world-class convention Centre built in the style of the King’s Palace of olden days, which lights up the night sky atop of one of the many hills. The central business district covers Nyarugenge Hill while the government and administrative quarter is further east on Kacyiru Hill. It is also host to the Kigali Genocide which, through education and peace-building, honors the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful educational tool for visitors. Kigali is also home to Kanombe International Airport.