Kigali is well connected to the rest of the country with a well-maintained bus system that comprises of modern minibuses and a few government vehicles. The best time to get on the buses is from early morning to early afternoon. After about 3pm buses run less frequently and the fares go up substantially. Travelling by road involves having to endure frequent military checkpoints, but these are usually straightforward affairs.
If visitors wish to hire cars, they can be obtained from local tourist offices and travel agencies in Kigali. They usually cost you on average around 50.00 per day. One thing to be kept in mind is that fuel in Rwanda is expensive. Visitors will find many a side road unsafe to drive on particularly during the wet season. It is advisable to avoid driving at night unless you happen to have infrared vision and very sharp reflexes.
Explore Kigali City
To explore the city’s main attractions, it is recommended to take a Kigali City Tour organised by the RDB Tourism Office or one of the local tour operators in Rwanda. When you book with RDB, a city tour is done twice a day; one from 8.00AM to 11:30AM and another from 2PM to 4:30PM.
The guided tour takes you through the different attractions within Kigali; the Genocide Memorial Center, the Natural History Museum, the new and old part of the city, a craft market of your choice / a local market and more. A Kigali City Tour takes you from the colonial times, the history of Kigali from the time it became the capital city, the Masaccres and the Genocide, Peace and Reconciliation, Development and Reconstruction of Kigali and the implementation of the Master Plan and Vision 2020.
The fastest and the most popular way to get around Kigali are the Motorcycle Taxis also known as “Moto Taxis”. It can be a little scary balanced on a the back of a motorcycle, but the undeniable advantage is being able to maneuver more easily through traffic.
TIP
Avoid moto taxis without valid permits. Riders with permits are easily recognized by the numbers on their green helmets and jackets. Also note that wearing a helmet is compulsory and will be provided as part of the service.
Special Hire or taxi voiture allow you more privacy to see the city at your own pace. There are usually white with an orange stripe down on the side.
TIP: Prior negotiation of the taxi fares is always advisable.
Quastors (Buses)
These provide transport in the city and countrywide and are the cheapest way to get around the city. Buses wait to fill up before leaving from the terminus. There are many companies running the transportation in the city, when you get a bad service please contact the Rwanda National Police, Rwanda Regulatory Authority and the bus company running the bus services. Numbers to contact are always inside the bus.
