The hand-drawn guide to

KIGALI

Central Kigali: sights, neighbourhoods, buses and the things locals wish they'd known.

UPDATED!2026EDITION!

Major bus routes

Buses cover most of the city. These are the handful most useful to visitors. Tap your card on boarding.

Key

Moto taxi advice

  • Always wear the helmet — it's the law, and drivers carry a spare.
  • Agree the price first, or use a metered moto app.
  • Short hops in town cost a few hundred francs; carry small notes.
  • Hold on uphill — Kigali has a thousand hills and the drivers know every one.

Kinyarwanda basics

MurahoHelloMwaramutseGood morningAmakuru?How are you?Ni mezaI'm fineMurakozeThank youYego / OyaYes / NoAngahe?How much?BuhoroSlowly!

Rwandan Holidays

  • New Year (Jan 1–2)
  • Heroes' Day (Feb 1)
  • Kwibuka (Apr 7)
  • Labour Day (May 1)
  • Independence (Jul 1)
  • Liberation (Jul 4)
  • Umuganura (1st Fri Aug)
  • Assumption (Aug 15)
  • Christmas (Dec 25–26)

Plus Good Friday, Easter Monday & both Eids. Umuganda: last Sat of the month, 8–11am — community work, roads quiet.