Full Post Style

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Kibeho, Kigali, Rwanda, Africa

Kibeho is a town belonging to the Southern Province of Rwanda, covering a total area of 79 sq. km. It is situated around 140 km southwest of the national capital, Kigali, between 2°38′ S latitude and 29°33′ E longitude. Kibeho is well known for the incident believed to be happening in 1981, in which the spirits of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ appeared to local teenagers, which had become very popular even in outside Rwanda also. Kibeho is situated few kilometers away from Nyungwe Forest, which is a recognized tourist attraction in Rwanda, highly popular among adventure sport lovers.

 

How to get Kibeho?

Like the most parts of Rwanda, Kibeho is served by Kigali International Airport, the prime airport of the country. Including global cities like Brussels, Amsterdam, Nairobi, Dubai, Istanbul and Doha, the airport covers many African cities. The airport is situated around 140 km away from Kibeho.

Buses are not regular between Kibeho and Kigali, but regular between Kigali and Butare. Visitors can also hire a car to travel between these cities.

 

Food and Shopping in Kibeho:

The culture of Kibeho is noted for the appearance of the spirits of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ in 1981. This belief is still strong among locals.

There are modernized shopping and restaurant options limited in number in Kibeho, but visitors can find mouthwatering local delicacies at traditional food corners in the city. Those looking international standard options can drive towards nearby historical city, Butare.

 

Things to do in Kibeho:

• Day tours
• Shopping
• Walking

 

What to see in Kibeho?

 

Kibeho:

Kibeho itself is famous as a site of pilgrimages and apparitions as the believed thought of the natives of Kibeho had seen the spirits of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ between 1981 and 1989. By visiting the town, visitors can get the complete picture of that incident.

 

Nyungwe Forest:

The Nyungwe Forest is a rainforest covering an area of 970 km², formed by diverse ecological features like swamps, bogs, bamboo and grassland. Established in the year 2004, the park is home to a wide range of floral and faunal species, including 275 bird species, 32 amphibian species and 1068 plant species. The park is situated to the west of Kibeho.

 

Butare:

Butare is the former capital of Rwanda during the colonial rule, situated to the east of Kibeho. Butare is the site of many iconic attractions like the Gikongoro Genocide Memorial, the National University of Rwanda and the National Museum of Rwanda. Minibuses are generally plying between Kibeho and Butare and visitors can also use rental vehicle for comfort travel. Butare is worth a trip.

 

List of other places of interest in and around Kibeho includes:

• Cathedral in Butare
• National University of Rwanda
• Huye Market
• National Museum of Rwanda
• Gikongoro Genocide Memorial in Butare
• Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
• Presidential Palace Museum in Kigali
• Akagera National Park
• Parc National des Volcans

 

When to visit Kibeho?

The best time to visit Kibeho from June to September, when the weather remains dry and pleasant.

 

Where to stay in Kibeho?

Hotels of Kibeho are limited to traditional options, so it is advised for visitors to reach nearby Butare city, where one can find all sorts of hotels ranging from budget to star rated options. Butare is not more than 30 km away from Kibeho. Here are some nice hotels in Kibeho, Butare and Kigali:

• Hotel Credo
• Motel du Mont Huye
• Centre d’Acceuil Mater Boni Consilii
• Shalom House Butare
• Petit Prince Hotel
• Barthos Hotel
• ORTPN Resthouse
• Dereva Hotel
• Hotel Gorillas
• Golf Hills Residence
• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Stipp Hotel
• Virunga Guest House
• Mount Kigali Hotel

Kigali Tourist Places to Visit in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa

Kigali is the capital as well as the largest city of the African country, Rwanda. Geographically, Kigali is positioned in the heart of Rwanda, at 1°56′38″ S 30°3′34″ E. Including the residence of the President of Rwanda, Kigali holds all the important administrative offices of the country. Kigali owns a thriving tourism industry, with different modern and historical attractions, including museums, memorial centres and youth clubs. Located around 1,567 meters above sea level, Kigali experiences a tropical savanna climate with relatively cold climate throughout the year. The total area of Kigali measures 730 sq. km.

 

History of Kigali:

According to the documented history, Kigali was founded during the German colonial rule in Rwanda in 1907. Kigali became the capital of Rwanda following the country’s independence from Belgium in 1962 (Belgian had taken the control over Rwanda during the First World War).

 

Transportation to Kigali:

Kigali holds the prime airport of the country, the Kigali International Airport, is situated around 5 km away from the heart of the city. The airport handles flights from and to Douala, Dubai, Entebbe, Brussels, Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Mombasa, Addis Ababa and Nairobi.

By bus, Kigali is linked to all other major cities of the country, including Butare, Gitarama and Cyangugu.

There are different options in Kigali for local travel like minibuses, taxis, motorcyle taxis and rental cars.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Kigali:

Kigali is the cultural capital of Rwanda, home to many museums including Kandt House Museum of Natural History. Dance and music schools in the city are bonding up the local culture with overseas cultures.

The traditional market in Kigali offers a wide selection of colorful items like handicrafts, clothing and fruit at tourist favor prices.

There are dozens of restaurants in Kigali, of which some are listed below:

• Heaven Restaurant and Inn
• Flamingo Chinese Restaurant
• Indian Chef
• Sakae Japanese Restaurant

 

What to do in Kigali?

• Bowling
• Visiting casino
• Ballet dancing at Ballet Rwanda
• City tours

 

What to see in Kigali?

 

Kandt House Museum of Natural History:

The Kandt House Museum of Natural History is a museum housed in the former house of German physician and explorer of Africa, Richard Kandt. The museum showcases the significance of local land, animals and plants with well stored objects and exhibitions.

 

Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre:

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre was founded in the memorial of people, particularly Tutsis, who were killed during the Rwandan Civil War. The memorial centre was opened in 2004 after 10 years of that terrible incident. No entry fee.

 

Presidential Palace Museum:

The Presidential Palace Museum in Kigali describes the life story of the former powerful Rwandan President Habyarimana. Visitors can also see different typical colorful Rwandan costumes here. Guide tour is imperative. Entrance fee is Rwf 6,000.

 

Kigali City Tower:

The Kigali City Tower is a skyscraper in Kigali, home to high tech offices and retail outlets. It is the tallest building in Rwanda, home to a four screen cinema as well.

 

Ballet Rwanda:

Ballet Rwanda is a famous ballet school in Kigali, offering dance courses for all age groups, even for visitors also. It is open during the afternoons & evenings only.

 

List of other places of interest in Kigali includes:

• Inema Art Center
• Ivuka Arts Centre
• Akagera National Park
• Ntarama Church
• Ivuka Arts Kigali
• Muslim Quarter
• Casino Kigali
• Yego Arts studio
• Librarie Ikirezi
• Avenue du Commerce
• Mambas Club

 

When to travel Kigali?

Kigali is a year round destination and the tour of Kigali can be experienced best in either June or July.

 

Accommodation options in Kigali:

Hotels in Kigali offer all upgraded facilities like spa, TV, AC and 24 hour room service, served with a great warmth towards visitors. Some budget, mid range and high end hotels in Kigali in Rwanda are listed below:

Budget:

• Auberge De Cavern
• Kigali Hotel
• Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

 

Mid range:

• Park View Courts Rwanda
• Step Town Motel
• Sphinx Belair
• Kay Sun Hotel
• Okapi Hotel
• Gloria Hotel
• Hotel Isimbi
• Hotel Chez Lando
• Iris Guesthouse

 

Splurge:

• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Hotel Laico Umubano
• Hotel des Mille Collines