Camp Kigali – This is a memorial site for the Belgian UN Blue Berets killed on the first day of the genocide against Tutsi in 1994. The camp hosts a small museum and a memorial which displays one stone pillar for each displays one stone pillar for each soldier with their age marked and therefore while on your guided or self-drive in Kigali with private rented 4×4 jeep you can visit this place and much more as mentioned below.
Kigali Memorial Centre
This a joint partnership between the Kigali City Council and the Aegis trust, opened in 1998 was inaugurated in April 2004, for the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the Genocide against Tutsi. Three permanent exhibitions are on display, the largest of which documents the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. There is a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocide violence around the world. The central is built on a site where 259,000 people are buried.
Librarie Ikirezi
This the first public library in Rwanda and aims to become the sanctuary for knowledge and forum for the free exchange of ideas. It also houses the largest selection of books written on the Rwandan genocide.
Natural History Museum
This is also known as “Kandt House”, is dedicated to Dr. Richard Kandt, a german doctor and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile. The museum showcases his work and many other natural wonders of the country.
Nyamata and Ntarama Memorials
These are the scenes of some of the most brutal massacres in Rwanda. Both memories are located about 30km south of Kigali in the Bugesera region. These churches and their contents are a reminder of the violence that took place during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide perpetrated against Tutsi.
Nyanza- Kicukiro Memorial and Wall of Memory
This stands in memory of the lives lost to the 1994 genocide perpetrated against Tutsi at Ecole Technique Officielle in April 1994. The museum documents the massacre and emphasizes the desertion of the international community. The Garden of Memory is across the road from the Nyanza memorial site. It is a quiet space set in natural offering an opportunity to reflect and remember those whose lives were lost.
Presidential Palace Museum
This is located 40km from Kigali International Airport. The Residence of former president, Juvenal. Habyarimana 1973-1994. This museum is mainly known for the flight debris which are the remains of the presidential plane that went down on 6th April 1994.
Rebero Memorial
Rebero Memorial stands as a tribute to the victims of the genocide perpetrated against Tutsi who were massacred after being abandoned by UN troops at ETO Kicukiro. Thousands of victims of the genocide are buried here including up to the genocide government in 1994. The politicians buried here strived for human rights, justice, unity and development and democracy. Since the 1994 genocide, these are the very principles that have guided the rebuilding of Rwanda.
Ethnographic Museum
This Museum brings to light the development of Rwandan culture throughout history. I would highly recommend this Museum as a short stop during a trip in Rwanda. Every single aspect of this museum is unbelievable. From the outside of the Museum to each gallery, you will see outrageous beautiful details. It is very educational and is comprised of 7 display galleries.
Any questions you have regarding early history of the country, art or archaeological artifacts displayed, or how such a rich culture was born, will be answered through visual aids and well-written descriptions. At the end of your tour, definitely stop and get some souvenirs at a great price.
Rwanda Art Museum
This is the previous Presidential Home of Juvénal Habyarimana and now hosts local art works. It is worth a look for those interested in some of the country’s history but the tour focusses appropriately on the art and what it represents.
There is no photography allowed inside the home or of the art work, but you are free to photograph outside and in the grounds. You will also find the remaining wreckage of the jet carrying Juvénal Habyarimana that was shot down on the 6 April 1994. Recommend that visitors read up on the incident and the subsequent investigation before seeing the site.
Kandt House Museum
This is an excellent, small museum, showing a small chunk of Rwandan history. The welcome is personalized, by local workforce knowing how to welcome customers. This historical gem offers a glimpse into Rwanda’s past through the lens of German colonial rule. The well-preserved artifacts and exhibits provided a comprehensive insight into the country’s cultural and colonial heritage.
The museum’s layout and informative displays make it easy to navigate and understand the history behind each exhibit. The knowledgeable staff further enriched the experience with their expert insights and willingness to answer questions.
Another highlight is the opportunity to explore the beautifully maintained gardens surrounding the museum, adding a tranquil ambiance to the visit. The picturesque setting complemented the historical significance of the museum, creating a memorable visit.
Museum of the Environment
This museum is very informative for environment lovers and those that want to learn more about plants used in traditional medicine. Very well presented exhibitions in a smart new building. One on energy, one on Rwandan natural history (complete with enormous croc who had a pair of boots in its stomach when killed – and lots of other stuffed animals) and one on the roof on natural medicine. 1 highly recommend it.
Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre
This is a very educational, genocide, museum, and memorial, away for all the tourists. This is only one of two genocide memorials in Rwanda that has a museum style explanation of the events that led up to the genocide. The other one is in Kigali where the explanations are quite similar. There are two special aspects about this memorial.
The first is that is it located on the location where one of the worst massacres actually happened. Being on that spot and seeing the hills around you, it is easy to imagine why this spot was chosen. This is a very chilling and sobering experience.
The other aspect is of course the many rooms with mummified bodies. While this is certainly a gut wrenching the experience. Visit for an act of remembrance and to understand more about Rwanda and its painful history.
Campaign against Genocide Museum
Unlike the Genocide Memorial in the center of town, this museum is focusing more on how the genocide was ended. While the UN forces retreated only rescuing foreign nationals, the RPA (Rwandan Patriotic Army) guerillas took charge using military force effectively to stop the killings and defeat the government army.
It becomes very clear from the detailed description of battle on the info boards in the museum that the RPA /RPF leaders were quite able to plan realistically, setting clear objectives, ensuring discipline of their militants and organizing relief for the victims. The experience of fighters and leadership was later used to reorganize the Rwandan state, as we now know it. Perhaps the best performing country in the Sub-Saharan region.
Bring your passport as you have to register at the entry of the parliament compound.
